Let’s start all over again,shall we?

Chapter 185 Long–awaited Reputation

“Ms. Holland, I appreciate your kindness, but I don’t deserve this. Please take back the gift. Erick’s expression was gentle but detached, devoid of warmth, making it impossible to find fault.

His composed demeanour rendered him unreadable to Emma.

Despite holding onto hope. Emma had predicted Ericko’s refusal. Yet, she had practised her words iri

anticipation.

“Your birthday is coming up. Take this pen as an early birthday present,” Emma insisted, thrusting the box towards Ericko.

Ericko’s face remained expressionless as he simply replied, “Thanks for the pen. Ms. Holland.”

pen

Emma let out a relieved sigh, a glimmer of happiness warming her heart, diluting the unpleasantness of losing the auction from Maggie and Mia.

She had prepared ahead. If Ericko declined, she’d cite his upcoming birthday as the reason.

Given the acquaintance between the Hollands and the Adams, it was customary for her to give a gift. Refusing hers would raise suspicions. By using his birthday as an excuse, he’d find it harder to refuse.

Even if he accepted now, she could always give him another gift on his birthday, blending it with others and delivering it to his house. That way, hers wouldn’t stand out.

Emma had planned meticulously, so when she handed the pen to Ericko, her expression softened slightly.

Ericko didn’t glance at the pen. He simply stated, ‘Ms. Holland, you’ve spent money. Later I’ll transfer it to Mr. Holland’s card.

Emma’s smile wavered after just one sentence. Even she couldn’t smile.

He

appeared to have received her gift, yet he declined in this fashion.

There’s no need to be so formal. I insisted. It’s too polite of you to offer money,” Emma struggled to

express.

Ms. Holland, I appreciate your kindness, so I’ll accept

stepped forward, unable to contain herself, “Mr. Adam, I’ve heard so much

halted, meeting the woman’s gaze, and

her, quickly followed suit, eyeing

chuckled. “That’s none of your concern!”

a merciless tone, Mia’s direct words drained the colour from Emma’s face, igniting anger, “I

Mia interjected. Her bossy and beautiful face, yet

Wed, 22

185 Long–awaited

with fury. She had never met anyone like Mia before!

85%會

quite revealing!” Emma

gazes with Emma. “Alright. I dare you to repeat

hitched, her entire body

gleam of mockery glinting in her eyes as she disregarded her phone and dialled Jordan’s number without hesitation.

a few moments, Jordan picked up

auction? Do you need

Hollands? Emma just called you nouveau riche and

manners!”

pale, which

a word with her dad. I’ll ask Mr. Holland how he managed

loud ‘click‘ showing

speak several times but found herself unable to

to the pen box in Ericko’s grasp, prompting her to speak further. “Ms. Holland, let me make this clear. Even though it’s no secret that you have unrequited love with Mr. Adam, you can’t trouble him like this.

and for no apparent reason, he has become a scapegoat. How pitifull” Mia scowled, offering genuine

didn’t…” Emma dreaded being involved with Ericko. As Mia

him.

any emotion, Emma felt her

money earlier, she felt uneasy, worried that he would be irritated and think she was meddling, forcing him

as Mia brought

transfer the money to her father was