Chapter 76

"Was it Olivia Davis who ordered the attack on you?"

Emily Smith bit her lower lip in thought. "Most likely."

George Taylor frowned, inhaling sharply. "It seems Olivia already knows about you and William."

Emily's heart clenched. "Did I cause trouble for William?"

George suddenly chuckled. "A little trouble, perhaps. But I told her you're under my protection now. She won't touch you—for the time being."

Given Olivia's temperament, if she knew how much William cared for Emily, she wouldn't hesitate to end Emily's life.

Last time, when Sophia Song was merely rumored to be involved with William for a few days, she returned to Jinzhou severely beaten and spent over half a month in the hospital.

And Sophia was a famous celebrity. Olivia had no qualms about targeting her—what chance did an ordinary girl like Emily stand?

Emily hesitated, then finally nodded quietly. "Thank you."

"Should I stay with you?" George asked.

Emily quickly shook her head. "No need. You've already helped us enough tonight. I'll treat you to dinner another time."

"Then let's exchange numbers. Contact me if anything happens." George pulled out his phone.

"Alright."

After seeing George off, Emily sat alone by the hospital bed, his words echoing in her mind.

William had gone abroad.

Was that woman's voice on the phone last night Amanda Lin?

Had he gone to see her?

Amanda was his first love—the one who still held his heart. If she reached out, how could he refuse?

Did this mean it was over between her and William?

Perhaps it was for the best.

Olivia was already targeting her because of William, and now Mia had gotten hurt too.

If she stayed with William, who knew what else Olivia might do?

She remembered Olivia's warning during their first encounter all too clearly.

Given Olivia's relationship with William, would he ever risk offending the Davis family for her sake?

Leaving William might be her only way out.

Lost in thought, her phone suddenly rang.

It was Mia's phone.

The caller ID read "Brother—Ryan Harris."

After a brief hesitation, Emily answered and informed him about Mia's hospitalization.

When Ryan arrived, Mia had just woken up, murmuring weakly about feeling cold.

Emily quickly fetched another blanket and wrapped Mia tightly in both, holding her close.

Ryan stepped into the room just in time to see the scene, his heart aching.

The moment Mia saw her brother, she threw herself into his arms and burst into tears.

It took Ryan a while to calm her down before she could recount the events between sobs.

Though her body had been weak, her mind had remained clear—she remembered everything.

Then she grabbed Emily's hand, her face full of guilt. "Emily, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have dragged you to that bar. If it weren't for you, I'd be..."

Emily shook her head, unable to tell them the truth—that she was the real reason behind the attack.

"I swear... sob... I'll never go to a bar again!" Mia wept pitifully.

Ryan couldn't stay angry seeing his sister like this. He sighed and coaxed her back to sleep.

"Emily, thank you for being there tonight." After tucking Mia in, Ryan turned to Emily, his voice gentle. "Let me arrange a ride home for you. You should rest."

It had been a long time since he'd last seen Emily.

The moment he laid eyes on her earlier, he'd been stunned.

Now, studying her more closely, he couldn't look away.

He couldn't understand how she'd transformed into such a radiant beauty.

Perhaps it was the magic of growing up—she now carried both the purity of a girl and the allure of a woman, the two blending seamlessly in her.