Finnian knew his mother better than anyone else. He was well aware of the darkness in her heart and how unreasonable she could be. If Amara went to confront her, there was a good chance she would end up being bullied.


    "I can handle it. At the very least, I won''t let her hurt me," Amara said calmly.


    Seeing Finnian still watching her anxiously, Amara sighed inwardly. She softened her voice and added, "This is my issue, and I want to deal with it myself. Let me try first; if it doesn''t work, I''lle to you for help. Is that all right?"


    Her gentle words seemed to touch something in Finnian.


    Amara almost had tough. In Finnian''s mind, his mother was like some terrible monster-and honestly, he wasn''t too far off.


    "I''m heading out, then.” Since Finnian didn''t object further, Amara picked up the file Will had brought and left the old estate.


    After asking around, Amara found out that Emma was currently at the Star Hotel, apparently there for a menu tasting.


    She took a cab to the hotel, asked a staff member for directions, and learned that Emma and Liliana were in the kitchen sampling dishes. She made her way over.


    "Mrs. Emma Everly."


    Amara entered the kitchen. Seeing that only two staff members were with Emma and Liliana, she strode straight over, her gaze cold and direct.


    Emma hadn''t expected Amara toe looking for her. She instinctively nced at Amara''s stomach and curled her lips into a faint smirk. But then, remembering Finnian''s feelings for Amara, her mood soured again. "What do you want?" she snapped.


    Amara stared at Emma for a moment, then suddenly pped the folder down on the table with a sharp crack. She spoke each word with deliberate rity: "Why are you alwaysing after me? What have I ever done to you? Or are you just bored and looking for someone to pick on?"


    To Emma, this was outrageously disrespectful.


    Emma prided herself on hierarchy and respect, especially from the younger generation. How could a junior speak to her this way?


    Her temper red, and she mmed her hand on the table. "What''s that supposed to mean?"


    If Emma wanted to make a scene, Amara would do no less. She


    mmed her own hand down, even


    m exactly what I said


    harder means exactly


    I haven''t done anything to you, so why do you keeping for me? Or do you just not understand what I''m saying?"


    Emma was taken aback by Amara''s assertiveness.


    She''d always known Amara was a handful, but she hadn''t expected her to be this bold. Emma''s face twisted with anger.


    Sensing the tension, the staff quietly slipped out of the kitchen. Liliana left as well.


    Though she showed Emma outward respect, Liliana actually looked down on her. Watching Emma and Amara argue was like watching two dogs fight—she was happy to stay out of it and just observe from the sidelines.


    Besides, Emma probably didn''t want her there anyway. Being called out in front of others was humiliating, and Emma likely didn''t want Liliana to see it.


    As expected, Emma seemed


    satisfied once Liliana left. She


    dropped all pretense, pointed at Amara, and snapped, "You want to know why I''m after you? It''s because you keep seducing my son! If you weren''t always leading himon, you think I''d be treating you like this?"


    A cold smile appeared on Amara''s lips.


    Ordinarily, that usation would have made her furious. But, for some reason, she


    suddenly found Emma simply absurd, despicable, and, above all, pitiful. She


    couldn''t even get angry—instead, sheughed.


    Emma''s eyes bulged. "What are youughing at?”


    "I''mughing at how pathetic you are," Amara sighed. "You''re always using me of seducing Finnian, but i if you bothered to ask around you''d know I''ve never led Finnian on, never chased after him. In fact, it''s your son who keepsing to me."