After hearing that, Jessica thought for a moment and said, “I don’t get what you mean…”
Summer put the litchis into the fridge and replied, “Let’s not talk about that. Have you eaten?”
“Ate with the production crew.” She then smacked herself on the head. “Now I remember, I saw your interview. What are you up to again?”
Since Summer asked for her help to find reporters and set the mansion on fire, Jessica was now wary about her. Previously, she thought that she was the biggest troublemaker, but now, she found that Summer had surpassed her in this regard.
“I’m giving my script, The Lost City some needed publicity.” Summer smiled.
“As if I’d believe you.” Jessica rolled her eyes.
Taking a plate of litchis she had washed, Summer went up to Jessica and said matter-of-factly, “Jessica, those people in the Emerson family are mean. If I don’t do something, they’re going to string me along.”
Jessica also got serious when she heard Summer mention the Emerson family. “Still no news of Rosie?”
Summer shook her head, and her voice was cold. “I guess the Emersons will find me soon.”
…
When Leonardo exited Summer’s apartment, Tim walked around to the other side and opened the rear door for him. While he drove, he would occasionally glance at Leonardo through the rearview mirror.
Leonardo shut his eyes and said, “Just say it if you have something to say.”
Since Leonardo said so, he no longer hesitated. “Why did you let Mrs. Emerson move out when you were worried?”
There was a moment of silence. Leonardo then slowly said, “She might be happier staying outside.”
Tim still remembered when he and Leonardo discussed the same subject. Leonardo told him he would rather let both of them suffer together than let her go. But after a little over half a year, Leonardo had started to think differently.
…
Summer was right. Someone from the Emerson family was going to look for her soon.
That night, after spending some time with Summer and chatting with her, Jessica excused herself and left the apartment. She had work to do the next morning.
Summer’s itinerary for the following day included spending her time with the production team. When she came out of her apartment the next morning, a black vehicle stopped in front of her. The car window was wound down to reveal a middle-aged man who looked somewhat like Leonardo.
“Summer, it’s been a long time.”
The fleeting disdain in Summer’s eyes turned into surprise. “Mr. Emerson?”
Michael had that smile on his face, which made him look like a gentle elder. “Although you and Leonardo are no longer together, you don’t have to feel so estranged. Is it difficult for you to call me Uncle Emerson?”
He looked gentle, but he was sitting in the car when he talked to Summer. That created a sense of distance between them.
Summer obliged. “Uncle Emerson.”
Michael looked pleased. “Where are you heading to? Do you have time for a cup of coffee?”
“Yeah, why not?” Summer nodded with a smile.
She had been waiting for Michael to find her. Of course, she would not want to reject his invitation.
“Get in, then.”
Liam was behind the wheel. As soon as Michael’s voice trailed off, Liam had gotten out of the car and opened the rear door for Summer.
“Thank you, Uncle Liam.” Summer nodded as she got into the car.
Michael sat beside her, looking composed. She nervously clenched her jaw, not looking at Michael but dead ahead.
The car stopped before a café, and Summer as well as Michael walked into the café with her at the front. The waitstaff ushered them into a private dining room that Michael had reserved in advance.
Coffee was then served. Michael stirred the coffee as he spoke, sounding as if he was catching up with her. “How were you doing abroad during those six months?”
“It was great, thank you” Summer replied politely.
Michael let out a sigh, then said, “About Grandpa, we were too worried, and we ended up wronging you the last time. You’re a kind girl, you wouldn’t do such a thing. Most likely, Grandpa’s just old and has mobility problems. He must have tripped himself and fell down the stairs.”
Summer tightened her grip on the coffee cup. Mobility problems? Everyone knew that Grandpa Emerson was still in the pink of health. Also, before things happened, someone had lured her over to see him. It was obviously a trap. Now Michael was turning around and telling her that Grandpa had a mobility problem?
She had just woken up, and her mind could not think clearly at that time. It was under such conditions that she did not think twice about the maid’s words and went to see Grandpa. Thinking back now, she only realized that Grandpa Emerson would never deliver his message through maids.
The excuse was full of flaws, but she could not question him now. She looked down, her hand pinching her leg under the table. She did it so hard that tears nearly flowed out of her eyes.
She looked up at Michael again, voice trembling. “How is Grandpa now?”
Michael was startled for a second, not expecting to see Summer become so sad. “Still no progress.”
She nodded and cautiously asked, “Can I go visit him?” She had wanted to visit Grandpa Emerson all along, but she had not been able to find a proper excuse so far.
“Of course, you can.” The smile on Michael’s face faded, and he seemed a little solemn now. “What’s going on between you and Leonardo? I heard Douglas say that he took the child from you?”
The spoon in her hand slipped off her hand and dropped into the cup with a crisp clinking sound when Michael mentioned her child. What did Michael mean? What did he want? Was he trying to sound her out? Was he trying to gauge how much she knew and whether her relationship with Leonardo was close enough for Leonardo to tell her that people from the Emerson family were involved?
Her hand that was tightly clenched under the table eased up again. She did not know how to face the question, so she looked down and pretended as if sadness was written all over her face. But then again, every time she thought of Rosie, her tears would fall uncontrollably.
Michael squinted as though something crossed her mind. “Leonardo has crossed the line. I’m the child’s grandpa and the child has to stay in the Emerson family, but she’s still too little. No matter what, she should stay with her mother…”
Summer thought she might as well bury her face in her hands and cry her heart out. “I’m sorry, Uncle Emerson. I just feel sad…”