Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 318

Another person arrived at the restaurant entrance, causing Emma to pause her steps.

"Gavin York? Why is he here?"

Carter looked at the growing crowd at the door and completely lost his patience.

"Jeff. Clear the place."

Jeff nodded immediately and turned to Jocelyn. "Ms. King, please head inside and enjoy your meal."

Jocelyn suppressed her anger. Her junior hadn't eaten yet, and wasting time with these losers in such a beautiful restaurant was pointless.

She shot Gavin a deep, warning look before spinning on her heel and returning to the dining room.

Jeff stood in the doorway, his tone flawlessly polite but laced with steel.

"Mr. Harrington said to clear the area."

He gestured toward the elevators. "I won't be seeing you out."

Sylvia was the first to leave, laughing as she walked away. "Look at yourselves. Trying to bully Carter Harrington's wife right in front of his face. Old Mr. York has excellent foresight. He knows exactly who he needs to hand the family business to if he wants it to survive."

Hearing this, Owen tightened his grip on Phoebe's shoulder.

Gavin shot him a cold glare. "Are you leaving, or are you waiting for Mr. Harrington to lose his temper and destroy our family?"

The crowd scattered, and the restaurant finally returned to its peaceful state.

"Why do these people stick together like glue? One after another, it never ends."

Jocelyn complained as she sat down. Emma smiled softly. "Owen came for Phoebe. Sylvia came to watch the drama unfold. As for Gavin... I heard the two brothers hate each other. I'm not sure why he showed up."

"Who cares? I'll remember that York guy anyway."

Jocelyn leaned against Emma, looking at her with genuine heartache. "The environment here is too toxic. If you didn't have unfinished business, I would've dragged you back overseas in a heartbeat. You never had to deal with this kind of garbage back home."

Emma smiled, linking her arm with Jocelyn's. "Once I uncover the truth, everything will be fine."

Sitting across from them, Carter stiffened, his fingers pausing over the photos on his phone. He looked up, his brow furrowed. Was she still planning to leave the country once her family's mystery was solved?

Jocelyn watched them, her mind racing. She had to find a way to push these two closer together.

While the dinner inside was perfectly harmonious, Phoebe couldn't stomach a single bite outside.

She was terrified for her mother's safety, and Sylvia's mocking words kept echoing in her head. Even worse, she kept remembering what Emma had told her back in high school.

'If Owen liked you, he wouldn't just flirt with you. He would go to the Moore family, break off the engagement, and pursue you properly. Right now, he's just toying with you without taking any responsibility or considering your reputation. He won't even step in when Sylvia bullies you. A man like that isn't worth your time.'

Phoebe lowered her eyes. Emma must be so incredibly disappointed in her.

No. She couldn't let others mock Emma's past, or let herself become the only stain on Emma's flawless record.

Phoebe stopped walking, her eyes hardening with resolve.

"Owen, the money you lent me, I'll pay it back as soon as possible."

"Let's stop contacting each other."