BRAIDED BROOD

Chapter 11

Unaware of the situation, Emily teased him as Jeffery hastily dropped his food onto the table.

“I won’t interrupt you again, so eat up. You said you’re hungry. Go on and eat, buddy!”

But Jeffery refused to take another bite. He sat there silently, watching Emily consume everything. When Emily stood up to throw the plastic plates away. She turned back, only to realize Jeffery was gone.

“What? Did he just leave like that?” She let out a deep breath. “My phone’s been switched, and I got kicked out of my home. Gosh, what’s going on today?”

Panicking, she walked up to the counter. “Can I charge this phone here for a minute?” Emily asked the cashier.

“The boss will throw a fit if he finds out. You already know what he’s like,” the cashier replied.

“Then can you let me use your phone?” she pleaded.

Outside the convenience store, Jeffery marched up to Chairman Kyle’s car, demanding to know why the old man had shown up out of nowhere.

“I’m sure you know that cutting me off financially isn’t going to work,” Jeffery said, looking at the Chairman dead in the eye.

Chairman Kyle fired back. “If it can make you come back, I will do far more than that.”

“Still, I’ll never go back to that house or mansion, whatever you call it.”

“Come back,” Chairman Kyle commanded.

“I said no. What I want is for things to go back to the way they were.”

“Do you realize what you’re saying?” The Chairman sneered. “Everything you think is yours…can disappear. That’s the power I have, and it’ll soon be yours too.”

Jeffery smirked. “I don’t need such a thing. Please stop trying to convince me. I’m going to live as Han Jeffery.”

He stepped out of the car and slammed the door right in the Chairman’s face.

Chairman Kyle turned to Secretary York. "Let’s go."

"Will it be okay to let him go like that?" York asked the grumbling Chairman.

“We have no other choice. He’ll come back home soon.” Chairman Kyle said, nodding to reassure himself.

---

“Who is this?” Skyler asked, walking toward his car with one hand in his pocket.

“I’m the owner of that phone! Why didn’t you pick up all day?”

“I’ve been waiting for your call, too.” Skyler countered.

“Anyway, I wasn’t able to receive any calls all day…” Emily said over the line.

“You keep getting texts.”

“Really? That could be from my family. Can you unlock the phone now?”

"I would if I could," Skyler said. “How do I unlock it?"

“Match the numbers to the dots. Then draw 5-2-3-7-4-8-9-1 in order.”

"Wait, how do I unlock this again?" he asked, confused.

"Just draw the pattern in the exact order of the numbers I gave you!"

“Why is it so complicated? Are you a celebrity or what?”

Emily groaned. “Try it again slowly, please!”

Skyler carefully traced the pattern, calling out the numbers one after the other. "5-2-3-7-4-8-9-1... Whoa! I did it. I unlocked it."

“Really? Who are the texts from?"

"Hold on a second..." Skyler paused as the screen loaded. It’s from Yara.

‘What did my sister say?”

Seeing the actual messages, his expression shifted, and he rubbed his cheek nervously.

“Hurry up and tell me!”

"Apparently... you're all having a family dinner tomorrow because your dad is coming home," he lied.

Emily jumped up in excitement. “Really? Is Dad coming home? Did she say I’m invited too?”

“Well... y-yeah," Skyler stammered, looking at the texts.

“Thank you! Where are you now, by the way?”

“I’m close to Sammy's hotel & suite.”

Emily rushed over and spotted a sleek white car. She knocked on the window. Skyler lowered the dark-tinted glass just an inch, slipping on sunglasses without realizing who she was, and stretched out his hand for his own phone first.

“What’s wrong with him? Is he a celebrity or what?” She asked herself, trying to peer through the tinted glass.

Seeing that she was hesitating to hand over his phone, he leaned in to look closer through the small opening. "Wait... aren't you Huxley’s fiancée?"

Before stepping out, he quickly tapped the screen to delete the messages. Then, both of them exchanged phones happily.

Emily immediately swiped through her notifications. "Where’s the text? You said I got one earlier."

"Oh, that... my finger slipped, and I accidentally deleted it," he lied.

“What?!”

“Anyway, it said you come home for dinner tomorrow.”

“Did it really say I can go home?”

"Uh-huh,” He nodded.

“Is Dad really coming?” she asked with excitement.

"Uh-huh,” He nodded again.

“Thanks for bringing my phone back. I need to start going now, byeee.”

As she hurried away, Skyler muttered to himself, "Tsk... why do I feel so guilty? I feel bad for some reason.”

The next morning, Emily marched happily toward the café, whistling and hopping along the way, completely unaware of the swarm of reporters waiting for her.

“Are you sure she works here? It’s been hours.” One reporter muttered.

"I’m positive. Look, there she is… the National Jackpot Girl!"

“She’s here!”

The crowd swarmed her instantly, thrusting microphones and cameras in her face.

“What?” Emily gasped in surprise.

Questions flew at her from all sides.

“Are you engaged to Kyle Huxley?”

“Are you, Miss Emily?”

“Is it true that you’re engaged to Kyle Huxley, the heir to Jupiter’s Group?”

“How did you two meet?”

Flustered, she tried to push through the crowd. "I’m not in any relationship with him! I’m sorry, but please leave!"

The reporters pressed on. “We came a long way here. Did you not read the article? How did you two meet? We’ve been waiting for you. Since when did you start dating him? Please say something.”

“I’m sorry.” Emily cried out.

Suddenly, Huxley pushed through the crowd, shielding Emily from the wave of intimidating questions.

"Let’s go," he whispered to her.

"Get out of the way!" he barked at the reporters, ushering Emily straight into his sports car.

Huxley sped away from the chaos, slamming on the brakes once they reached a quiet side street out of sight. Turning to Emily, he grinned smugly.

“So... I was pretty cool back there, wasn't I? You got the nickname National Jackpot Girl thanks to me, and you also got a knight that can save you from trouble.”

“Baffled by his ego,” Emily snapped, "Don't you see what's happening right now?!"

“I saved you. That’s what happened.” He answered flatly.

“Look how things got out of control because of your stupid lie, Emily shouted, taking a slow, deep breath to steady herself. "Go tell those reporters that we aren't dating."

“Is that what you want?”

“Yes!!!” She echoed.

“Fine. Then give me five minutes, and I’ll wipe your name clean off the internet.”

“Are you a genius hacker or a magician? Do you think that's even possible?” Emily asked.

Kyle pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

"Jonny? This is Kyle Huxley."

His expression turned cold.

"The number one web portal in the country shouldn't be running this. Articles about my fiancée are everywhere. This is clearly defamation and libel, and it seriously infringes on a person's dignity. Do you understand how serious this is? Don't try to justify this in the name of 'public interest'.”

His voice hardened further. "Do I have to spell it out for you?"

After a brief silence, he spoke again, glancing at Emily.

"I'm pulling all of our ad campaigns. Take down every single piece about my fiancée... right now."

The moment he ended the call, Emily stared at him with wide eyes.

“Did you just fall for me? You totally did, didn't you? Of course you did,” he boasted, nodding his head. “That was so cool right now.”

Stunned, Emily sat with her mouth wide open. “How could this be?”

“I know it's unbelievable. Even I think I look awesome just now.” Huxley bragged, wrapping his arms around himself, dramatizing the moment. He pulled at his collar, pretending to shiver.

“Whoa… do I have goosebumps here? Look at my neck!"

Emily smirked, still trying to process the call. “I heard rich people can fabricate the web portals with money, but I can't believe that it's actually true.”

She sighed in disappointment. I trusted the internet... I really can't believe this."

"How can you be thinking about that in a situation like this?" Huxley asked, exasperated.

"What else am I supposed to think?"

He leaned his head back against the leather seat, putting on a pouting face. "I just thought of something money can't buy."

What is it?

Your smile.

Emily scoffed, rolling her eyes in irritation. “Why do you care whether I smile or not?”

She unbuckled her seatbelt and shoved the car door open. “Anyway, thanks for getting rid of the photos.”

Just as she stepped outside, her phone rang. It was the columbarium attendant.

“Hello?”

“What? My dad took the urn?” Emily paused, her face falling.

Meanwhile, Jeffery carried his bag and walked cheerfully into the auto repair shop. But as soon as his coworkers saw him, their expressions darkened.

"Hey guys, I'm back!" Jeffery called out.

Reading the room, his smile faded. “What is it? Did something happen?”

The boss stepped forward, avoiding eye contact. "Please leave"

“Wrap things up here, guys," the boss ordered the rest of the crew.

“Okay, boss,” they muttered softly.

"Hey! What's going on?" Jeffery demanded, stepping closer.

The boss turned back, looking heartbroken. "Don't ask questions. Just go."

Jeffery forced a strained smile. "Alright... I'll come back another time."

He turned to leave, but his coworker called out to him, holding out an envelope. "Jeffery! This is the money you gave us. I'm sorry to say this... but don't come back here anymore."

“What?” Jeffery asked, stunned.

“We promised your grandfather...” the partner hesitated, lowering his voice, “…that we'll never see you again and that we'll forget everything about you. He gave us enough money for us to promise that. Jupiter’s Group sure is powerful… I guess they can change someone's life without lifting a finger.”

Rage flared inside Jeffery, but he fought to hold back the tears building in his eyes. He forced another tight, painful smile. "Well... that's great, then"

What? The man asked, playing dumb.

You sold me out. At least you got paid well for it."

His partner hung his head in shame.

“It's fine,” Jeffery muttered. He patted the man's shoulder gently and walked out into the cool air, his chest burning with rage.

“I'm sorry, Jeffery…” he whispered to the empty doorway.

Overwhelmed, Jeffery sat on his motorcycle near the lake, staring across the water at the massive skyscrapers owned by Jupiter Group. Tears finally spilled down his cheeks.

Without turning around, he spoke to Secretary York, who stood silently behind him in the shadows.

"Is this... the power Grandpa was talking about?"