The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

Summer just couldn't take it anymore. Her voice rose in frustration, "Mom, snap out of it! There's no use begging anyone now. We've messed with the wrong people at Gilbert Corporation. There's no turning back!"

Crossing someone like Zach might have left us a sliver of hope, but city hall? That's like signing our own death warrant.

Hearing this, Mandy felt a buzzing in her head, her face gradually losing color. No more chances? Did that mean Gilbert Corporation was truly done for?

She lifted her gaze, slowly scanning the opulent villa that surrounded them. If Gilbert Corporation was finished, wouldn't that drag the Gilbert family down with

it?

*

Elsewhere.

Emmitt chuckled ruefully after reading a message from his assistant. If it weren't for the bond they had built over the past decade, would he have gone as far as arranging a takeover of that slanderous news agency?

Emmitt tilted his head back, his phone ringing again. He glanced at the caller ID and swiftly answered, "Courtney..."

"Emmitt, did you buy The Insight Times?" Zach's brow arched in question.

He had just dealt with the Gilbert Corporation mess and was about to move on to the news agency when he learned it had already been snatched up.

His question caught Emmitt off guard. After a brief silence, Emmitt simply hummed in affirmation, then added after a moment's thought, "We had someone approach us a while back about a risk acquisition for Huachen, just happened to coincide."

Zach shook his head with a smile, not pushing the point. After a pause, he said, "By the way, about the Gilbert family, you..."

"I'm not getting involved with the Gilbert family's situation. You do what you think is best," Emmitt cut in firmly, making his stance clear. He didn't mention Summer's plea for help.

Zach exhaled in relief. Even though Emmitt had distanced himself from Summer and realized his past mistakes, there was still the worry that Summer would play the sympathy card and he would soften. But now, it seemed he had worried needlessly.

Changing the subject, Zach suggested, "How about coming home for a family dinner sometime?"

Something crossed Emmitt's mind, and he replied coolly, "Some other time, I'm a bit tied up right now."

Zach knew he was trying to avoid awkwardness and tried to persuade him, but eventually, seeing Emmitt make excuses, he let it go. They chatted for a bit more, then hung up.

After the call, Zach looked at his phone and deleted two missed call logs. Summer had tried to reach him, but he hadn't answered. Everyone has to pay for their actions; before hurting others, they should've anticipated the consequences.noveldrama

School let out in the afternoon. Mirabella stepped out of the school gates and saw Collins waiting by the curb. She walked over to him.

Collins had been sending messages on his phone but pocketed it as Mirabella approached, standing up straight, "Hey, sis."

"Collins, been waiting long?" Mirabella nodded her greeting.

He shook his head with a smile, "Just got here myself. Oh, by the way, Leo texted me. He's wondering if you want to drop by his studio to listen to his new track. Plus, he's got some throwback photo albums at his place."

Thinking of the stack of autographs in her bag, Mirabella hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

Seeing her response, Collins texted Leo back. Soon enough, they were in the car and on their way.