“Vanessa- Emery faked a polite smile as the woman strutted toward them. She let her eyes glide, just briefly, over Vanessa’s outfit—a sharp, overpriced suit that was about two seasons behind. “It’s so refreshing to see vintage fashion making aeback. You wear it so…. bravely.”


    Vanessa’s eyes narrowed slightly <b>as </b>she stopped beside their table, forcing ire, who had been trailing behind her with a bored look, to bump into her. Clearly, Vanessa hadn’t been expecting aeback. Thest time she had seen Emery, the woman was a pitiful sight, practically begging her son. Now, she sat there, calm andposed, drinking as if she had no problems at all.


    Despite this, Samuel’s sister- ire- barely spared them a nce. She scrolled through her phone, treating her presence near Emery and Nina like some kind of punishment.


    “I see you’re still dragging around your little entourage,” Vanessa said, adjusting her pearl ne with a flick of her wrist. “Some things never change.”


    Emery stirred her drink slowly, then looked up with a small smile. “You’re right. Loyalty is hard toe by these days. I’m d I still have real friends.” She nced meaningfully at ire, who was too busy taking a selfie to notice.


    In the past, Emery had tried to befriend ire, knowing she was Samuel’s younger sister. But her efforts were only met with bullying, insults–and once, even a p. Still, Emery stayed quiet, believing that keeping the peace was the price she had to pay to be with


    Samuel.


    She watched as Vanessa’s lips pressed into a thin line.


    <b>“</b>I heard you lost your job,” Vanessa continued. “Such a shame. I guess not everyone is cut out for the real world.”


    Emery set her cup down, folding her hands neatly on the table. “It’s true. Some people’s talents are just… underappreciated.” She smiled sweetly. “But at least I didn’t spend my best yearsworking at charity luncheons for the sake of my son’s résumé.”


    Vanessa’s knuckles whitened around her clutch.


    ire finally looked up, frowned at the tension, then went right back to her phone without a word.


    “Well,” Vanessa said sharply, straightening her spine. “It’s nice to see you making the best of… unfortunate circumstances<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    Emery tilted her head slightly. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I’ve always known how tond on my feet. Some women need family names to survive. Others manage just fine on their own.”


    There was a short pause as Vanessa’s gaze burned into her, but instead of pping her or doing something harsh, she only smoothed the front of her designer zer and smiled coldly. “Careful, dear. Pridees before the fall.”


    Emery’s smile didn’t waver. “Thanks for the advice, Vanessa. You must know a lot about falling… and not getting back up.”


    For a split second, Vanessa’s nostrils red. She was about to say something when her daughter’s words interrupted them.


    “Can we go now?” ire whined. “I don’t <b>really </b>like the smell of desperation. Ma, why are we even in this café? Isn’t this the cheapest


    <b>one-</b>”


    “Still as tactless as ever,” Emery said <b>as </b>she shook her head. “I mean<b>… </b>money can’t really buy ss<b>, </b>right, Nin?”


    Nina chuckled in response.


    “Why are they even allowing this woman <b>to </be here?” ire asked as she looked around. When she found <b>a </b>waiter nearby, she quickly called him. “Why did you let these <b>two </b>in?<b>” </b>


    Her words were immediately met with confusion, while Einery and Nina couldn’t help but smile. In the past, Emery had endured so much bullying from this mother–and–daughter pair. She did it all for Samuel and his fucking peace. She told Nina not to bother with them before, but now? Emery wasn’t nning to let this go.


    Since these two actually approached her, then they shouldn’t me her for fighting back!


    “Answer me<b>!</b>” ire demanded. But when the waiter didn’t immediately answer<b>, </b><b>she </b>continued. “You know what? Let me talk to your manager!”


    1- uh- alright, please <b>wait</b>,” the waiter said before <b>he </b>practically <b>ran </b><b>away </b>from <b>ire</b>. Again, Emery chuckled.


    <b>1/2 </b>


    12:35 AM


    “What are youughing about?” ire asked. “This ce isn’t for you. You should leave.”


    Emery didn’t move. She simply rested her chin on her hand and watched ire’s tantrum unfold like a mildly amusing TV show.


    “You think you belong here?” ire said, scoffing as she tucked her phone away. “Women like you should be ashamed of dirtying a ce like this<b>.</b>”


    ire took a step closer to their table, flipping her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe if you spent less time sleeping around, you’d actually still have a job. Or maybe this <b>is </b>your new job?” She smirked and gave a pointed look at Emery’s clothes. “God knows escorts need the work.”


    The few people sitting nearby turned their heads. A couple of them whispered, pretending not to stare.


    Nina nced at Emery, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. As Emery’s only friend in this state, Nina knew exactly how much she had endured–and had often told her she was foolish for putting up with it. Seeing this, Emery didn’t react. She simply sipped her drink and set the cup down carefully.


    However, despite theck of response, ire wasn’t done.“This is a family ce, you know. Maybe next time, you and your little friend should pick somewhere more… appropriate. Like a back alley.”


    The air around them tightened. The waiter, now hiding awkwardly near the cashier, nced at the entrance, clearly debating if he should call security.


    Emery leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other.


    Seeing this, ire sneered. “You’re disgusting. You probably sleep your way


    This time, Emery stood up.


    ire blinked, taking a half–step back. “What- what are you trying to do?”


    11-


    everything. No wonder Samuel got tired of you.”


    ire across the face. Hard. The sound was sharp,


    Emery didn’t hesitate. She walked right up to her, lifted her hand, and pped ire


    cutting through the entire café.


    ire stumbled a little<b>, </b>clutching her cheek with wide<b>, </b>stunned eyes.


    For a moment, the entire ce went still. Even Vanessa looked frozen<b>, </b>one hand halfway to her ne.


    Emery dropped her hand to her side calmly. pping someone actually made her feel so good, that she couldn’t help but smile. “You were always an entitled brat,” she said, her voice low enough for only their group to hear. “Now you’re just a loud, pathetic one. So, let me waste my time teaching you something today.”


    ire’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Her hand hovered near her cheek, stunned into silence.


    Then without warning, Emery pped her other cheek for the second time.


    “What- what are you doing!?” Vanessa yelled. She tried to push Emery away, but thetter avoided her hand and simply took a step back as Vanessa steadied her daughter.


    At that moment, the waiter returned with a man in a crisp white shirt and <b>a </b>manager <b>tag </b>beside him. He hesitated near the table, looking between the three women, clearly unsure whose side to take.


    Emery didn’t miss a beat. She straightened her jacket and gestured toward ire with <b>a </b>casttal wave. “Someone should probably help her. Poor thing looks confused. Maybe a team of psychologists could figure out where <b>her </b>brain went.”