308: Misunderstandings and Missteps

Under the harsh lights of the event hall, the atmosphere between Wayne, Emma, and the enigmatic woman turned tenser by the minute. Emma's intuition had been ringing alarm bells, and the latest exchange only amplified her discomfort. Wayne's insistence that the woman refrain from giving Emma particular looks added layers of suspicion. Emma, feeling a mix of confusion and unease, suggested, "Perhaps I should stay close then. It might help clarify things." The woman’s response, mixed with irritation and a touch of mockery, didn’t sit well with Emma. "Trust me, I mean no harm. I've told Wayne already, I’m not here to cause trouble." But as the conversation unfolded, it quickly spiraled into a territory that Emma and Maxwell were totally unprepared for. The woman’s candid admission of her interest in Emma, though claimed in jest, was a jolt that neither sibling expected. Wayne’s face darkened. "This isn’t the time for jokes," he muttered, his voice low and serious. Maxwell,