?Chapter 3049:


    For a brief instant, both Emma and Ernest froze in surprise. Elissa—normally calm and soft-spoken—was suddenlyshing out.


    The outburst startled even Elissa herself.


    Had she truly raised her voice so loudly?


    The moment her temper slipped, regret came crashing down on her.


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    Her tone gentled almost instantly. “I just mean—I’m really fine on my own!”


    Biting her lip, she spun around and fled.


    Emma offered Ernest an apologetic smile, as if to excuse Elissa’s behavior. “I’m sorry about that… Elissa’s a little sensitive.”


    Ernest’s brows knit together as he gave a faint shake of his head.


    With a trace of surprise, he asked, “You two are close?”


    “Yes,” Emma replied softly. “We’ve been ssmates for years—and since our parents are friends too, we spend a lot of time together.”


    After a thoughtful pause, Emma rose to her feet. “I’m a bit worried about her. I’ll go check on her, Mr. Flynn—if you’ll excuse me.”


    “Of course.” Ernest had no objection; if anything, he felt grateful for Emma’s kindness toward Elissa.


    “I’ll be right back, then!”


    In the restroom.


    Elissa sat in one of the stalls, pressing a tissue to her eyes, lips mped tight as she struggled to stay silent.


    Hadn’t she just humiliated herself—snapping for no reason at all?


    And now she was hiding here, crying in solitude.


    The hurt inside her was simply too much.


    Her mind kept reying the image of Emma and him, talking so animatedly…


    She’d just sat there, unable to get a single word in!


    Her mother had been right—they did look perfect together. Compared to Emma, Elissa felt painfully inadequate. She wasn’t right for him—she never could be.


    And soon, they’d be leaving Ontmond… heading to Srixby together…


    Covering her face, Elissa found her sorrow only deepened.


    “Elissa?” came Emma’s voice from outside.


    Elissa froze—Emma was looking for her?


    “Elissa? Are you inside?”


    Elissa hurriedly wiped her tears. “I’m here! I’m fine! I’ll be right out!”


    “Alright, I’ll wait for you outside.”


    “Got it!” Elissa sighed softly. She couldn’t hide any longer.


    She opened the stall door, rinsed her hands at the sink, gently dabbed her eyes, and forced herself to appearposed before stepping out.


    “Elissa?”


    Emma stood waiting by the door; upon seeing her friend, she reached out and took her hand.


    Elissa’s red-rimmed eyes made it obvious she’d been crying.


    Yet Emma chose not to say a word about it.


    “Elissa,” Emma said warmly, looping her arm through hers and chatting in her usual lively way. “I just ran into Steven and the others—remember him? He used to follow you around back in school… Want to go say hi?”


    “Sure,” Elissa murmured, her gaze lingering on Emma’s bright, smiling face.


    She thought Emma was such a kind person—so warm, so gracious.


    And that thought only deepened her conviction—Emma and Ernest truly were a perfect pair.


    Before the party had even drawn to a close, Ernest quietly excused himself and returned to his hotel room.


    He had a scheduled call to attend with Eric.


    For Ernest, night had already settled in, while in Srixby, dawn was just breaking.


    Ernest ced the call, and Eric picked up almost at once.


    “Ernest!”


    “Yes, it’s me.”


    The two spoke first of business—straightforward, efficient, as always.


    When their conversation wound down, Ernest’s voice softened. “How’s Grandma? And Locke?”


    “They’re doing wonderfully,” Eric replied cheerfully. “With Hadley around, there’s nothing to worry about.”


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