Chapter_51
Chapter 51
“Challenge accepted!” Emmeline declared, her voice a little slurred. Feeling upset, she threw her head back and downed half the drink. The strong liquor seemed to wash away some of her anger.
“Let’s eat,” Grace suggested quickly, placing a plate of food in front of Emmeline.
Ethan had always been a great cook, and his food was just what Emmeline needed. She took a few big bites.
“It’s delicious. Just like I remember,” Emmeline said, a smile creeping onto her face.
“Have some more. Come on, let’s have another round of drinks.” Ethan raised his glass, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
“Don’t forget about Grace. Put your glass up, Grace. Cheers!”
Grace raised her glass with a smile. “Cheers! Bottoms up, Emma.”
“Bottoms up!” Emmeline echoed, before downing her drink.
After a few rounds of liquor, Emmeline was thoroughly tipsy. She slumped against her chair, swaying, and eventually slipped off her seat.
Ethan shot his wife a look. Grace quickly moved to Emmeline’s side, helping her onto the sofa.
Emmeline flung her arms into the air, her eyes closed, still mumbled with a slur, “I want to teach Alana a lesson. Don’t stop me. It’s about time she learns to be a mom!”
“Have a nap. You can go after you’re well rested,” Grace suggested, her tone calm but firm.
“No, I can’t. I need to go now. I need to give Abel something to think about too! Is this the kind of mother he wants for Timothy? Why did she get pregnant in the first place if she’s not going to brush up on her mothering skills? Abel Ryker, you’re a real piece of work!” Emmeline’s voice grew more frantic.
“That’s right! That’s right! They’re all a piece of work!” she repeated, raising her fists in the air.
“So, don’t stop me! I’m going to the Rykers’ residence now. I will show them!”
“That isn’t necessary,” Ethan said, his tone shifting from playful to serious as he held her down. “What’s a woman with three kids really going to show them? It’s best not to mess with Abel.”
Emmeline barely registered what he said. With her eyes shut, she continued mumbling about showing up at the Rykers’ house to give them a piece of her mind.
Just then, Emmeline’s phone rang.
Ethan glanced at the screen. It was Abel.
He answered the call, not hiding his irritation. “What did you do to my precious sister, Abel? The anger has left her crying and whining.”
Abel’s voice came through, tinged with confusion. “What happened to Emmeline? I was going to tell her that I had the press take down the news. Why is she still upset?”
“That’s the million-dollar question,” Ethan replied. “Emma was about to find you and give you a piece of her mind.”
Abel’s voice softened. “Where is Emmeline now? I’m worried. I need to check on her.”
Worried? That was enough to give Ethan a glimmer of hope. Maybe there was still a chance for his sister and Abel to work things out.
“She’s at my house. Come on over,” Ethan said, giving Abel the address.
Just as he hung up, Emmeline, with a frown on her face, squinted her eyes at him. “Who are you on the phone with, Ethan?”
Ethan quickly ended the call and smiled at her. “You don’t have to go to the Rykers’ residence anymore. Abel is coming to you as we speak.”
“Abel? Perfect. I’ll teach the sleazeball a lesson!” Emmeline slapped the sofa with determination, rolling up her sleeves.
It took forty minutes before the doorbell rang.
Grace peeked through the peephole. Abel had arrived—but it wasn’t Abel who pressed the doorbell. It was Luca, his assistant. Abel’s tall, muscular frame followed Luca into the house, though he kept his distance, standing behind him.
Lying on the sofa in a daze, Emmeline mumbled incoherently. “Abel, you super sleazeball…”
When the door opened, Abel pushed Luca aside and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Luca remained outside, waiting.
“Mr. Abel,” Ethan greeted him, his voice respectful, but there was an undeniable tension in the air.
Ethan felt small under Abel’s imposing presence. The CEO of Ryker Group was a force to be reckoned with, his demeanor cold and detached.
“Where’s Emmeline?” Abel asked, his face sour, a mix of concern and frustration in his tone.
“My sister can be willful,” Ethan said, trying to brush off the situation. “Please don’t take it personally.”
He gestured to the sofa where Emmeline lay, eyes closed, still muttering nonsense.
Abel turned to look at her, his expression turning into a scowl. “Why is she wasted?”
