It was exactly as she had thought—because of their childhood friendship, Elijah hadn't even asked a single question before happily agreeing to her request.
After hearing her proposal, Elijah smiled warmly at Emma.
"Look at that worried expression on your face. I thought it was something serious. Just give me your account number, and I'll transfer the money in a minute."
Emma looked at Elijah with surprise. Although she had guessed he might agree, she hadn't expected him to be so cheerful about it.
His easy agreement actually made her feel a little embarrassed.
"I'll pay you back next year."
Emma wasn't making an empty promise. Based on the revenue from The Waterfront, she knew she could do it.
"You don't need to pay me back."
Elijah said it so casually, as if it were nothing.
"How can that be? Even though we've been friends since we were kids, that's still a lot of money. You're going to have your own family and business someday. Maybe you don't think much of it now, but you'll realize later how useful money can be."
Emma looked at him with a hint of sisterly concern, scolding him gently. She thought this guy was a bit too carefree with money. What would happen if he got taken advantage of in the future?
Elijah gave a slight, helpless smile, then his expression softened.
"Emma, I'd only do this for you. I wouldn't do it for anyone else."
Emma's voice had been a little loud, but now she didn't know what to say. Faced with his words, she was at a loss for a response.
"Emma, I know you. If you're asking for help, it must be because you have no other choice. I really don't need the money back anytime soon. If you insist on repaying me, you can do it when you're financially comfortable. For the next few years at least, I won't be in a hurry to use it."
Elijah's voice was warm and gentle as he spoke to her. In truth, he wanted to tell her that he would give her everything he had if it would make her happy. That would be enough for him.
"I will definitely pay you back, Elijah. I'll remember your help."
Emma looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and determination.
At Windsor Manor.
Amelia felt this was the happiest morning she had spent at home in a long time. Even though her second brother wasn't there, it was actually better for her. She looked at Liam sitting across from her, wishing she could sit next to him. Even though the seat beside him was still empty, she still had him.
But that wouldn't last long. Soon, she would take the place of the original owner.
At noon, Emma still hadn't returned. Although Liam was on break, he was still busy with company matters in his study. Amelia saw that it was time for lunch. After preparing the dishes Liam liked, she took off her apron and planned to call him in his study.
Just as she was about to knock on the study door, she heard Liam's voice coming from inside. It seemed he was mentioning Emma's name. Curiosity got the better of her, and she pressed her ear against the door, listening carefully to what he was saying.
A moment later, Amelia's eyes widened in shock.
She really hadn't expected that there was such a secret behind her brother's marriage to Emma.
Amelia didn't knock on the study door. Instead, she quietly went back downstairs. She sat on the living room sofa for a while, calming her inner surprise while feeling a surge of joy.
If that was the case, then Emma was no threat at all.
It seemed she had nothing to worry about.
A very happy light flickered in Amelia's eyes.
During dinner with Elijah, Emma told him about her plan to open a branch of The Waterfront with Mia. Elijah was a bit surprised. He had thought Emma was going to start her own company. But he still supported her. After dinner, Emma and Elijah parted ways at the hospital. Elijah watched her white car drive away, and a slight bitterness crept into his eyes.
He always felt there was something hidden behind Emma's decision to invest in The Waterfront. Was it related to Liam?
If so, did it mean there was something wrong between the two of them?
In the afternoon, Emma went to see Mia. They went to check on the decoration of the new branch. After a busy afternoon, she returned to Sunrise Manor as the sun was setting.
"Sister-in-law, did you have a good day today? You look tired. I was just about to start cooking dinner. I'll have the kitchen prepare whatever you'd like to eat tonight."
Amelia saw Emma come in with a tired face, but her smile was still as sweet as a flower. Emma looked up at her when she heard her clear, sweet voice.
"Do you have any squirrel fish tonight?"
She asked suddenly. Amelia was a little stunned. Did she like squirrel fish? She didn't remember Emma's taste being the same as her brother's.
"Of course, I do. My brother loves it."
Amelia emphasized the word "brother" on purpose. Emma suddenly smiled. Amelia looked at her smiling face, and even as a woman, she couldn't help but pause.
Even though she was unwilling, she had to admit that Emma was a rare beauty. She just didn't know if her brother had any feelings for her. Thinking about the conversation she had overheard between him and Captain Reed at noon, Amelia felt even more confident.
"Amelia, when did you learn to make squirrel fish?"
Emma's question confused Amelia. She didn't understand why Emma was so interested in this topic.
"I learned it in high school, of course."
"Is that so? To be honest, I think you're really talented at cooking. Even if you lost your memory, you'd still be able to cook dishes from seven or eight years ago. Whoever marries you in the future will be really lucky."
Emma's eyes fell on Amelia's face. As expected, she saw a flicker of darkness in her eyes.
"Sister-in-law, you're such a smooth talker. Even though I've lost my memory, I still feel it. Maybe that's why my cooking is good."
"I see."
Emma had just wanted to see Amelia's reaction. She hadn't expected that by casually saying that, she would see a flash in Amelia's eyes. Although it wasn't obvious, because she was paying close attention, she still caught a clue.
But she didn't know if Amelia's deception had been there from the beginning or if it had started somewhere in the middle.