Right after we left the school, Emery took me and Summer shopping. Hunter’s performance appraisal for the professor was around the corner. Therefore, she was going to pick a tuxedo personally for him.
It was quiet in the branded store we entered. While Emery was choosing the suit, Summer and I waited on the sofa patiently.
Emery had always been a generous woman, usually buying whatever she had her eyes on when she was out shopping. However, she zoned out several times that day while staring blankly at the suit, seeming to be exceptionally careful in choosing the clothing. Upon seeing her like that, I couldn’t help but tease, “Professor Zane’s position has improved a lot ever since he became your husband.”
Upon hearing that, Emery tilted her head, looking at me in disdain with her pretty eyes. “Was I treating him badly when he was my boyfriend?”
“Nope.” I smiled and patted Summer’s head gently. “It’s just rare to see you being so serious when buying things. Is the appraisal very important?”
Emery put away the suit in her hand and took two steps forward towards me before she answered absent-mindedly, “Not really. It shouldn’t be a problem for him.”
She had never been one to hide her emotions, so they were written all over her face. I noticed something off about her and asked, “Are you and Professor Zane doing well?”
Subconsciously, her strange behavior paired with my question reminded me of the fact that she hadn’t replied to my message the previous night. Emery’s alcohol tolerance was higher than most, and she always knew what she was doing. Besides, she was the one who always drank someone under the table. She seldom got drunk. In fact, it was actually a poor excuse of her being drunk and not replying to me, but only now did I realize that.
The topic I brought up halted her in her tracks for a while. Soon, she turned her back to me and pretended as if she was picking a suit. “What kind of question is that? There’s simply nothing you can do with those girls around Ashton, but not me. Don’t even think of getting off so easily if anyone is trying to mess with my man.”
I could feel her fierce and vicious aura even though she was facing away from me. Her words held a sharp tone to them. After all, Emery was a member of the Moore family, a family who was high and mighty to the core. She would never tolerate threats and provocations. I knew she would take action if something had indeed happened.
However, something like that was probably never going to happen between her and Hunter.
I stayed silent, lost in thought. After a while, Emery turned around, her expression looked normal. Then, she walked towards me and sat down by my side. “I almost forgot to tell you this. I’ve sent someone to look into the custody of Summer. The subordinates are preparing an editorial for the manipulation of public opinion, and they sent me the draft article. Have a look at it. If everything’s all right for you, we will get someone to publish it tomorrow.”
As she spoke, she handed her phone to me. My heart immediately sank when I saw the title.
‘Rainbow Couples’ To Adopt A Child.
There was a photograph of two men in suits, pushing a stroller under the title. The man on the right of the photo was pixelated. It was Nick and Jackson.
“No way.” Without hesitation, I handed her back her phone. “Emery, how many people have seen this article?”
“Only a few. I can count the number of people who have read it on one hand. That includes the publisher and people I sent to carry out the investigation.” Emery was lost in thought for a while as she looked at me cautiously. After a moment, she said, “Oh dear, please don’t tell me you’re being soft-hearted at this point.”
I went quiet. Indeed, I didn’t want to lose Summer, but I didn’t want to fight in that way. If that article was published, countless people would get hurt. I didn’t even need to experience the outburst to realize how serious the issue was. The level of acceptance of the LGBT community was already low in the country. It was almost impossible for them to receive supports from the public, especially when it involved the issue of child education. Putting that aside, Jackson’s life would be destroyed if word got out. As for Nick, people who were acquainted with him would definitely recognize him at first sight…
Irritation and disappointment washed over Emery’s face when she saw me acting in that manner. “Scarlett, it’s not the time for you to show too much sympathy. Our lawyer has done an analysis of your case, and it’s not likely for you to win this. We only have one way out. Else, you can only wait helplessly for the court decision to give him the custody.”
