Chapter 113 A Chance to Go to Paris
Emilia’s POV
The police station was just as depressing as I thought it would be. Bright lights, uncomfortable chairs, and the smell of old coffee and exhaustion.
Lily sat beside me, holding a compress to her shoulder. The paramedics had checked her out and said she needed stitches, but she’d insisted on staying with me first.
"This is insane," she muttered. "She attacked us."
"I know."
"And those people—our coworkers—they just stood there!"
"I know, Lily."
"You should have let me hit her harder."
Despite everything, I almost smiled. "If you’d hit her harder, we’d definitely be getting arrested."
An officer approached us, notepad in hand. "Ladies, I need to get your statements."
We went through the whole thing. The officer wrote it all down with an expression that said he’d rather be anywhere else.
"And you’re sure you didn’t provoke her?" he asked me.
"Excuse me?"
"Ms. Ferguson claims you’ve been harassing her. Sending threatening messages. Stalking her."
"That’s complete bullshit," Lily snapped. "Emilia didn’t even know she was back in Silverlake City until she showed up at our office!"
"I’m just asking questions, ma’am."
"Well, ask better ones!"
The officer sighed and stood up. "Wait here."
He disappeared into a back office. Through the door, I could hear the thoughts, faint but clear.
[Chief wants me to arrest the Adams girl... make an example... the Ferguson family donated a lot to the department...]
[But there’s security footage... Ms. Ferguson clearly attacked first...]
[Doesn’t matter what the footage shows... orders are orders...]
My stomach sank.
[Someone called from the Lightning Pack... Beta Jackson himself... said to let them go...]
[But the chief said—]
[I don’t care what the chief said. You don’t ignore a direct call from a Beta, especially not Scott Hanson’s Beta...]
My breath caught. Scott was helping us.
The officer came back out, his expression serious. "You’re free to go. Both of you."
"What?" Lily looked shocked. "Just like that?"
"Just like that. The security footage matches your version of events. Ms. Ferguson has been charged with assault and destruction of property."
We stood up, both of us slightly stunned. As we headed for the exit, I saw Raelene being led into an interview room, her face twisted with fury.
[This isn’t over... I’ll make them both pay... especially that half-breed bitch...]
I walked faster, pulling Lily with me.
Outside the station, the evening air felt so fresh after the stuffiness inside. Lily let out a long breath.
"I can’t believe we’re not getting arrested."
"Good thing the security footage proved we were innocent," I said.
"Emilia."
I turned to find Scott walking toward us from the parking lot.
"How’s your shoulder?" he asked Lily.
"I’ll live. Might have a cool scar though."
Scott smiled slightly, then turned to me. "We need to talk."
"Scott—"
"Please."
Lily squeezed my hand. "I’ll wait in the car."
Once she was gone, Scott stepped closer.
"It was you, wasn’t it?" I asked lightly.
"What?" Scott played innocent.
"That we got let go that easily. Don’t tell me you had nothing to do with it."
Scott smiled. "Guess I can’t hide anything from you."
I kicked a small stone on the ground and said with a bitter laugh, "Must be nice to have a powerful father."
"If you really think that’s nice, then marry me," Scott said. "Then my father becomes yours, and you won’t have to envy me."
"Don’t you think this is a really bad time for a joke?"
Scott dropped the playful act and said seriously, "Why do you want to live in all this chaos? You could choose a completely different life."
I looked down and walked forward, not answering his question.
"Do you want to leave?"
I froze suddenly, looking up with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"
"The company wants to sponsor an employee for advanced studies in Paris," Scott said. "Two years, all expenses paid. I can arrange for you to go instead. You’d have a stipend, a place to live, complete freedom. You could finally live for yourself instead of for everyone else."
Paris, France... it had always been the place I wanted to go most. Now, the opportunity was right in front of me, but I hesitated.
"Would you really give me this chance?" I asked. "That doesn’t seem possible."
"Personally, I don’t really want to send you to Paris. But you’re our model employee, so giving you this opportunity makes sense. More importantly, I don’t want to watch you live like this."
"I’m living fine right now."
"Do you really think you’re living fine right now? Your husband’s ex-wife attacked you in front of everyone. Do you really think that’s fine? I’ve watched you for months now, Emilia. Watched you get quieter, sadder, more trapped. That’s not love. That’s a prison."
Scott’s questioning made my situation seem so pitiful. I said, half-jokingly, "If I really went to Paris, I might just stay there and never come back. All your effort would be wasted."
"I’ve thought about that possibility. That’s why I had a hard time bringing it up. But now, I’ve made my decision. If you don’t come back, I’ll wish you the best. And if you do come back, I’ll be here waiting for you."
Hearing his words, I felt a mix of emotions. In the past, I couldn’t understand how Scott felt. But now, because of Sebastian, I understood.
"I’ll think about it."
"Of course. But Emilia?" Scott’s blue eyes were serious. "Don’t take too long."
I nodded and said quietly, "I’ll let you know when I’ve made a decision. Thank you."
"That’s all I ask."
He walked me back to Lily’s car, gave us both a wave, and drove off into the twilight.
"So?" Lily asked as I slid into the passenger seat. "What did he want?"
"To save me," I said quietly. "I think he wants to save me."
"And do you want to be saved?"
I stared out the window at the darkening sky. "I don’t know anymore, Lily. I really don’t know."
By the time Lily dropped me off, it was already night. The house was mostly dark, except for the study. I could see Sebastian’s shadow moving behind the curtains.
I stood in the driveway for a minute, trying to get my courage up. Then I went inside, headed upstairs, walked past the study without stopping, and went straight to my room.