Chapter 55

"Patrick, you're really full of yourself, aren't you? Emily's with the Hughes Group now, not the Rivera Group. Maybe it's time you took a good look in the mirror. Or are you still blind to your own controlling ways?" Marlon shot back, not backing down an inch.

"Marlon! I don't need a lecture from you! She's my woman. Do you even care about her? Has she ever looked at you with anything but indifference?She doesn't even like you!" Patrick yelled, his voice booming through the mansion like he wanted to bring the whole place down.

Marlon's expression twisted with resentment at Patrick's taunt. He stormed downstairs.

Seeing the tension, Rex rushed over and whispered, "Mr. Marlon Hughes,Mr. Patrick, please don't argue in the garden. Mrs. Hannah Hughes just fell asleep." His voice was filled with helplessness and anxiety. He didn't know how to stop their fight, just hoping they wouldn't disturb Hannah.

Patrick had a soft spot for Hannah. Hearing Rex, he lowered his voice.walked up to Marlon, and said, "Marlon, as a friend, I'm warning you.Stay away from her. Even if she's with the Hughes Group now, don't get any ideas."

Marlon shoved Patrick's shoulder with both hands. "I don't need your advice. Just don't come to my place acting crazy. Just because my grandmother likes you doesn't mean you can act all high and mighty. And as for Emily, she makes her own choices. Stop trying to control her."Marlon had been holding back his anger all afternoon, and if it weren't for the family ties, he would've punched Patrick by now.

Patrick stumbled back a couple of steps, brushing off imaginary dust from

his chest. "Remember what you said. Don't let me find out if Emily's being mistreated by you."

Marlon's words confirmed that Emily wasn't at the Hughes Manor, which was enough for Patrick. He took a deep breath and left. It didn't matter if he didn't find her here; she'd show up at the Hughes Group eventually.Patrick believed he had all the patience in the world.

Back at the Rivera Manor

Shirley didn't go to chat with Jennifer like she usually did. The memory of Jennifer kicking her out last time was still fresh; though she was usually shameless. she couldn't just brush it off. Besides. Jennifer was too focused on Emily's child right now, and Shirley hated hearing Jennifer talking about it.

Shirley grew up in the Rivera Manor. After her dad got a brain injury saving Patrick, she felt a special bond with him, especially since Patrick always treated her with such care. It was more than just romantic feelings;it was like they were connected on a deeper level.

Jennifer and Patrick treated her like family from the start. She had the freedom to come and go as she pleased in the Rivera Manor and would even chat with Jennifer every night before bed.

All those little things used to make Shirley feel so warm and happy. But now, She felt increasingly lonely and helpless in this manor. It seemed like everyone in the manor had changed.

Feeling down. Shirley wandered over to a small wooden house behind the garden. It was a cute little place with white walls and red tiles,like something out of a storybook. Her dad, Elbert Wright, had built and painted it himself after seeing a picture book and thinking Shirley would

But Shirley couldn't stand that house. It felt so out of place behind the grand Rivera Manor, as if it mirrored her own sense of not belonging within the Rivera family, which made her feel small and insignificant. She preferred staying in the guest room at Villa No. 3 in The Rivera Manor.where she felt a bit more dignified and confident.

The Rivera family appreciated Elbert. They didn't want him and Shirley to feel like they were just charity cases. so they kept him on as a driver but didn't arrange much work for him. But to Shirley, it was humiliating. She felt like the Rivera family was just pretending to be nice, treating them like they didn't really matter. She even thought. 'If they really cared, why doesn't Patrick just marry me?' Their fake kindness made her feel disgusted.

Most of the time, the Rivera family didn't need Elbert to drive Jennifer or Patrick around. Only when they were short-handed did they ask for his help. This made Shirley feel like her dad was just a tool, used whenever convenient, which made her feel both angry and helpless.

The people in the manor were nice to Elbert and Shirley,respecting him for saving Patrick. No matter how nice everyone around her was to them,Shirley still felt uneasy. She simply hated Elbert, to the point where she didn't even want to hear his name. To her, his name was like a curse,always bringing bad luck and pain.

Thinking about all this. Shirley touched the pink pill in her bag,pushed open the door of the little house she once despised, and stepped inside.

Patrick lay on his bed after coming back, Marlon's words echoing in his mind like thorns, piercing his heart. He thought, 'Could it be true? Have I really liked Emily all these years? Are my feelings for her more than just a employer and employee?'

Patrick felt like his world was falling apart. He had always thought he could control everything, but now he realized he had lost control of Emily.He hated this feeling. and even more, he hated Emily's sudden boldness!