210: Unwelcome Offers and Defenses

In a mix of disbelief and frustration, Jada and Emma shared a glance, the air thick with incredulity at Alex's unexpected overture. Emma, maintaining her composure, firmly rejected Alex's offer, her voice tinged with a calm disdain. "Your offer is neither needed nor wanted, Alex. I've got my own means, far beyond what you seem to think." Alex, momentarily silenced by Emma's rebuff, still held onto the booklet, his intentions muddled yet insistent. "I thought of you when I saw this piece. Maybe you’d reconsider—" "Your thoughts are misplaced, Alex. Save your gifts for someone who values them," Emma cut in, her patience wearing thin. The atmosphere, charged with a silent battle of wills, left little room for misunderstanding. Jada, standing aside, rolled her eyes at the exchange, her patience for Alex's antics wearing thin. "Alex, she said no. What's hard to understand? You're not winning any points here, least of all with Emma." As the tension rose, Nathan stepped in, his