As expected of him. Emily let out a scornful laugh. "Didn't you say that he swore he'd never gamble again?"

Maurice sighed helplessly. "He really said that back then! I promise you, Mills, this is absolutely the last time! 

"He's your brother, Mills! Please just ask Mr. Holton for help one last time. This amount of money is nothing to him."

"I don't have a brother who's hopeless beyond help like him."

Emily refused to be guilt-tripped by family ties any longer, and she had no intention of supporting such parasitic relatives. "Besides, Gabriel and I are getting divorced soon. Don't bother me with such things anymore."

Then, she hung up before Maurice could answer and immediately blocked his number.

Exhausted from being up half the night and busy working the entire afternoon, Emily was completely drained. She took a shower and fell into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down.

Half-asl

Amelia listened to the envious whispers of the crowd, her nails digging so deeply into her palms that she nearly broke skin. 

Her eyes welled up with tears as she choked out, "Gabe, my birthday is tomorrow. Why are you setting these fireworks off today? Are they really for me?"

As the last firework faded, Gabriel turned his gaze from the sky and coolly glanced at her tear-streaked face. "Is that so? I must have remembered wrongly."

Amelia couldn't stop her sobs. Jealousy nearly consumed her. It was Emily's birthday today! Gabriel must have set off the fireworks for that damned woman.

What a pity that those two were currently having marital problems. So what if Gabriel had liked Emily in the past? 

In the future, Gabriel would only belong to Amelia. She was the only one fit to be his wife!

…

Early the next morning, Emily wheeled her suitcase to the hospital's meeting point. Their d

A meeting? Emily jolted fully awake, scrambling to get dressed. "I overslept. I'll be there right away!"

"Hurry up! The meeting starts in just over ten minutes. You'll get chewed out if you're late!"

"Got it." She rushed through her morning routine and arrived at the hospital conference room just in time.

The moment Mallory saw the dark circles under Emily's eyes, she knew exactly what had happened the night before. She gritted her teeth.

"That bastard! Does he even have a shred of conscience left in him? He romances his mistress one minute and torments you the next. What does he take you for? An inflatable doll?"

The moment the words left her, Mallory realized that she'd gone too far. She looked at Emily apologetically and said, "I'm sorry, Mills. I didn't mean it like that. I just think that he's despicable!"

Emily lowered her eyes wearily, her voice bitter. "It's okay. Just give me a contraceptive injection later."

"Mills, those things aren't good for you. You can't keep relying on that stuff."

"I know."

"You…" Mallory wanted to say more, but all that came out was a sigh.

On stage, the hospital director, Adrain Strebelle, was delivering his address. The purpose of this meeting was to organize a medical mission. Several doctors from various departments would be selected to provide free medical care in the countryside for one month.

Just hearing about it gave Mallory a headache. "Another medical mission? The last time we went to the mountains, we ran into a mudslide and nearly got buried there."

The memory was still vivid for Emily as well. She would never forget Gabriel's response when she called him for help.

"This time, we will decide the participants by drawing lots. Colleagues from each department, please come up in an orderly manner."

"What? Draw lots?" Mallory exclaimed as she buried her face in her hands. "With my luck, I'm done for!"

Their turn soon came. Fortune smiled upon Mallory. She drew a blank lot. Emily, however, wasn't so fortunate. She drew a lot that was marked red. 

Adrain smiled at her encouragingly. "With Dr. Sterling on the team, I'm sure this medical mission will be a huge success."

"Thank you, Dr. Strebelle. I'll do my best not to disappoint."

After exchanging a few polite words, Emily returned to her seat.

Mallory was frantic. "The place you're going to this time is even more remote than the one we went to last time. Maybe I should ask Dr. Strebelle to assign me there, too, so that I can accompany you."

"There's no need for that. Just stay put at the hospital. I'm experienced now. I'll take good care of myself."

"But—"

Before Mallory could say more, the director excitedly announced another piece of news. 

"I'm pleased to share that Holton Corporation is our partner for this mission! All medical equipment will be provided by them. Furthermore, Mr. Holton will personally accompany the team for the inspection. I expect everyone to perform well and uphold the reputation of our hospital!" 

Mallory choked on her water, spitting out a mouthful. "Are you kidding me? Gabriel's going, too?"

Emily frowned. She had been looking forward to a quiet month away, but now Gabriel was joining. When did Holton Corporation, primarily a real estate company, branch into the medical equipment industry?

"Mills, if Gabriel is going, Amelia's bound to tag along, too, isn't she?"

It was well known that Gabriel and Amelia were inseparable. On an inspection trip like this, it was almost certain she would come. And if she did, Emily's month in the countryside would be pure torture.

"No way. I'll get Dr. Strebelle to add me to the list after the meeting is over. I'm not going to let that conniving woman bully my best friend!"

Emily tried to dissuade her, but Mallory was determined. In the end, both of them were placed on the medical mission list. They were scheduled to leave at 7:00 am the day after tomorrow.

…

After work, Emily stopped at the supermarket to pick up supplies. 

She had just returned home, bags in hand, when her phone rang. It was her father, Maurice. They had barely spoken since the incident two years ago.

Hesitating for a few seconds, Emily finally answered.

"Mills, it's been ages since you've called me. Are you really planning on never speaking to me again?"

Emily had no interest in exchanging pleasantries. "Get to the point."

"Oh, Mills, I just wanted to remind you that it's your birthday tomorrow," Maurice said. 

Emily glanced at the date on her phone, and her tense posture relaxed slightly. "Is that the only reason you called?" she asked softly, a faint, hidden trace of hope in her voice.

"Well, not entirely." Maurice paused, then pleaded, "Mills, Cole has gone gambling again. You're his sister. You can't just ignore him."

As expected of him. Emily let out a scornful laugh. "Didn't you say that he swore he'd never gamble again?"

Maurice sighed helplessly. "He really said that back then! I promise you, Mills, this is absolutely the last time! 

"He's your brother, Mills! Please just ask Mr. Holton for help one last time. This amount of money is nothing to him."

"I don't have a brother who's hopeless beyond help like him."

Emily refused to be guilt-tripped by family ties any longer, and she had no intention of supporting such parasitic relatives. "Besides, Gabriel and I are getting divorced soon. Don't bother me with such things anymore."

Then, she hung up before Maurice could answer and immediately blocked his number.

Exhausted from being up half the night and busy working the entire afternoon, Emily was completely drained. She took a shower and fell into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down.

Half-asleep, she thought she heard the door open. A slightly calloused hand gently brushed her cheek tenderl

Chapter 6 Return It