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Chapter 9 Please Don't Interfere with My Life

Vincent heard a noise and glanced up to see Emily, instantly remembering he wasn't alone at home. He quickly looked away, put out his cigarette, and balanced his phone between his shoulder and cheek while buttoning up his loungewear. Casually, he told the person on the other end, "Alright, I'll be at Mountain View Manor at 7:30 PM tomorrow. Get some rest."

After hanging up, Vincent turned to Emily and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

His deep voice was a bit raspy, probably from smoking.

Emily replied, "I came down to get some water," and headed towards the fridge.

Vincent opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and handed it to her.

Emily quickly stepped forward to take it.

Vincent had just showered, and there were still some water droplets on the floor in front of the fridge. Emily walked too fast, slipped, and fell backward.

Vincent didn't see it coming. He held the cup in one hand and quickly reached out with the other to catch Emily.

But the momentum of her fall was too strong. Vincent couldn't hold her, and they both ended up on the floor.

Emily's soft body was completely enveloped by him. He pushed away any inappropriate thoughts and quickly looked down at her.

Emily closed her eyes, frowned, and let out a muffled groan. Vincent quickly helped her up.

"Emily, are you okay?" he asked, his voice trembling and hoarse.

Blushing, Emily said, "I'm fine, Mr. Watson. Good night." Then she turned to leave.

When she fell, her hands had touched Vincent's chest, and she could sense the warm heat surging out of his body. Vincent's scent lingered around her nose. She ran upstairs as if fleeing.

Watching Emily disappear around the corner of the stairs, Vincent looked down at his palm. Just now, it had felt the warmth of her hand.

That girl named Emily had been tugging at his heart since the moment she appeared. The first time they met, Vincent was 15, and Emily was 10.

Emily had escaped from Verdant Grove with Linda and reported to the police. When he and the Watson family arrived, she hid and watched Linda being taken away by the Watson family, refusing to leave with them.

The next time they met, he was 17, and Emily was 12. Twelve-year-old Emily had been stabbed twice while saving Ethan and lay in a hospital bed, her face pale but calm. Vincent came to see her and offered to take her back to the Watson family, but she refused again.

Vincent had never found out why she rejected them. She had been such a little girl in want of the love of family back then yet refused the hand of the Watson family.

The twelve-year-old Emily had told him, "I'm the unwanted one. I should stay away from others' lives. Seeing Linda happy is enough. Don't let me disrupt this peace. I have my own choices, my own life. Let me be myself. Please don't interfere in my life."

Later, Vincent secretly led the Grant family to believe that if they raised Emily out of gratitude, the Watson Group would support the Grant family.

That was the only time Vincent interfered in Emily's life. From then on, Vincent kept a close eye on this independent girl.

Vincent watched her slowly shine. In eighth grade, Emily was selected by Horizon Peak University's math team, becoming the record holder for perfect scores in all tests. In her first international math competition, she won a gold medal, becoming Maple Valley's most famous prodigy. Every progress, every achievement, and every award she received, he knew them all. He also knew about Emily and Ethan's passionate love.

Vincent stared at the cigarette between his fingers, the smoke hiding his expression.

Emily had just gotten back to her room when her phone on the bed started buzzing like crazy.

She picked it up and saw it was Hubert calling. She hadn't had a chance to change her number and was debating whether to answer when the screen went dark, showing four missed calls.

A moment later, the screen lit up again. Emily answered and put the phone to her ear.

Hubert's urgent voice came through. "Emily, something happened to Mia!"

Emily's mind went blank, and she stammered, "What happened to Mia?"

Hubert replied, "Mia pushed Amy and Ethan down the stairs at the airport. Amy and Ethan are both hurt. Ethan is pressing charges against Mia for attempted murder. Mia's at the police station now."

Emily's head was spinning. How could Mia be in Maple Valley? And Mia possessed a timid nature. How could she have pushed Amy?

Emily asked, "How is Amy?"

Hubert said, "I don't know the details. Ethan had my sister go to treat her. Wait at home; I'll come to get you."

Emily's hands and feet were cold. She calmly said, "No need to pick me up. I'll go to the police station to see Mia first."

Hubert was anxious. "Emily, Ethan has amnesia now. He doesn't remember Mia anymore. It's best if Ethan doesn't know about your relationship with Mia. Otherwise, he might think Mia did it under your orders, which could be bad for Mia. I hope you don't get involved in this..."

Before Hubert could finish, Emily hung up, changed clothes, and hurried out of her room.

No matter what, Emily had to see Mia first to understand what had happened.

By now, the news of Amy being pushed down the stairs by a fan was trending.

In the taxi, Emily watched the video news.

In the shaky footage, fans were fiercely tussling at the airport, with several bodyguards trying to intervene. Ethan was protecting Amy, retreating continuously.

In the video, Mia looked disheveled and panicked. When she saw Ethan, Mia became agitated. She called out Ethan's name and struggled to move forward. Suddenly, Mia lunged forward, hitting Ethan's arm that was protecting Amy. Amy's high heel twisted, and she fell to the ground. Amid the screams, Ethan and Amy tumbled down the stairs. The viral video ended there.

Clearly, someone had pushed Mia. The video also showed signs of editing.

Seeing Emily insist on meeting Mia, Hubert waited for her at the police station entrance.

Seeing Emily get out of the taxi, Hubert, who was leaning against the car, quickly stepped forward to intercept her. "Emily, the misunderstanding between you and Ethan is already deep enough! I know you care about Mia, but if you get involved, Ethan might think you ordered Mia to hurt Amy. Will he let Mia go then?"

Emily pushed Hubert's hand away, feeling inexplicably annoyed. "Ethan and I are already divorced. Why would I need to go after Amy?"

Mia, who hadn't seen Emily in almost six months, stood up abruptly, tears streaming down her pale face.

"Sit down!" the police officer scoffed at Mia.

Mia sat down in fear, her eyes following Emily closely.

It wasn't until Emily had a brief conversation with the police and walked towards her that Mia cried out. "Emily, I didn't hurt anyone! Someone pushed me! I told the police that I'm not a bad person!"

Emily held Mia's hand to comfort her, "I know; I saw the video! Mia, don't be afraid! Tell me why you were at the airport first?"

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