Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 321

Aunt Pamela and Uncle Raymond seemed to have visited just to drop off some pastries. They chatted for a short while before heading out.

Emma remained distracted, her mind entirely consumed by thoughts of Gillian.

By the time she lay in bed that night, she tossed and turned, completely unable to sleep.

"What's on your mind?"

Carter had set up a makeshift bed on the floor. Seeing her restless shifting, he sat up to check on her.

Emma sat up as well. "I was just thinking that Gillian couldn't have developed such a twisted personality out of nowhere. Both Aunt Pamela and my mother are incredibly gentle women. And even though my father is a ruthless opportunist, he always treated his children well."

How could Gillian's personality be so dark, even vicious?

"Could the issue lie with her adoptive father?" Carter suggested, trying to help her brainstorm.

Emma frowned. "It's hard to say. The Lockwoods claimed Aunt Pamela was constantly abused by her ex-husband and lived a miserable life. But the information I dug up suggests they had a loving, harmonious marriage."

"Trusting your intuition, which source do you think is more reliable?"

Emma looked at Carter. He pondered for a moment before answering, "I'd say it's a fifty-fifty split. What the Lockwoods claim isn't necessarily what they witnessed firsthand, and the records you found might not be the whole truth either. However, ever since Aunt Pamela married into the Harrington family, her character and temperament have been universally praised."

Emma felt the same way. In her daily interactions, Aunt Pamela was truly impeccable.

If someone told her Aunt Pamela was involved in the incident from twenty-three years ago, Emma would find it hard to believe.

"Did you know Aunt Pamela used to date Charles Lockwood?"

Carter's sudden question caught her off guard.

Emma's eyes widened in shock. "Aunt Pamela told me it was a misunderstanding. She said she never dated him."

"I tracked down a few of Charles's old college roommates. They all confirmed that he and Aunt Pamela were an item, though they kept it a secret. You can use that piece of information as a reference, even if it's not absolutely certain."

Carter leaned on the edge of the mattress. Emma rubbed her temples. "Thinking about this is giving me a headache. I'm going to sleep."

"Alright, get some rest."

Carter considerately turned off the lamp. Perhaps because she had overthought things before bed, Emma's sleep was fitful, plagued by one dream after another.

When Emma woke up the next morning, her entire body ached.

Seeing that Carter was still asleep, she quietly slipped out of bed and tip-toed out of the room, rubbing her sore lower back as she walked.

In her dream last night, Percy had morphed into an accomplice of the muggers. She had fought a bloody battle against them, leaving her utterly exhausted upon waking.

As fate would have it, Jocelyn stepped out of her room just in time to catch Emma massaging her back.

A knowing smirk spread across her face as she teased, "I know he wants to prove his stamina, but he really needs to exercise some restraint."

"No, it's not..." Emma blushed, trying to explain, but she quickly realized that any defense would only make it sound worse. She settled for an awkward smile.

Jocelyn, assuming she was just being shy, walked over and lowered her voice with a grin.

"I get it. You're not a kid anymore, and you two are legally married. There's no need to be embarrassed."

"I'll have a couple of masseuses come up later to work out those knots for you."