The Queen They Buried

Aubere looked back at him and thought, if you’d said this to me before, I would’ve been over the moon, probably too excited to sleep for days. But now! Heel nothing. If anything, it is almost laughable.

Now you put on this act? Where were you when it actually mattered!

‘So what were those three years of suffering fort Was I just a glutton for punishment?

“Are they seriously trying to lure me back just so they can keep trampling all over

“Like he’d really rush to help just because my startup club lacks anything. Who knows, maybe after all this “helping” God’s Fury would just end up being renamed Apes Squad”

As soon as the thought book root in Aubree’s mind, it spiraled out of control. Her previously scornful expression instantly hardened into seriousness.

Aubree shot Emory a guarded look, her whole body tense with suspicion.

She thought, ‘Didn’t the Wilson family say they wished I’d just die out there?

“Why do they keep taking turns showing up to find me! If bolore it was just about keeping Carmen at Rithol Art School, what’s their excuse now everything that’s happened? is Emery really here because they’re plotting something new against me?”

“Emery,” Aubree snapped, “wasn’t I clear enough last time? Your whole family is a joke. What exactly do you want from me, coming after me one after another? If you got all that pent–up family affection and nowhere to put it, just give it all to Carmen. Trust me, she’ll lap it up. As for me? I’m not your emotional dumping ground.”

Emery watched as Aubree regarded him with wariness and annoyance. It felt as if a thousand knives were stabbing into his heart, the pain so sharp it stole his breath away

Aubree used to treasure nothing more than her family, these very people. But now, she cast aside what she once held dear like worthless trash

“Wait, Aubree,” Emery blurted out urgently, “I genuinely want to help you. Did you see my posts online? You’re new to this, now’s when you need support the most. My team can get your operation running smoothly in no time. In esports, I guarantee even Bowen doesn’t know the industry as well as do.”

The more carest Emory became, the more suspicious Aubree gren, she could practically smell something fishy.

“Help me?” Aubree echoed, her tone laced with irony. That word held no good memories for her, the last time Emery had offered his help,” it was all for Carmen’s sake.

Aubree’s expression turned even more sardonic at the memory. “Seriously, don’t you see how absurd this is?” she scoffed. “Let’s be honest, in the three years spent with the Wilson family, I got scraps of kindness but a full course of suffering. So I’m begging you just have some mercy and stay the hell out of my life.”

Emery was completely caught off guard by Aubree’s reaction. “No, it’s not like that. If you don’t trust me, I can assign my beam to sign a formal contract. That way, you’ll know I’m serious, okay?”

rectly. We can

organization, Apex Squad was such a powerhouse that everyone from star players to support staff became highly sought

back and slave away for Carmen, right? Aubree cut him of already wary of this family. Three years had taught

nothing to do with Carmen, Emery stammered, her words cut off in her rush to

1/3

Chapter 54

rip off every last mask and lay everything bare before

first New Year with the Wilson family, you brought me some lousy freebie that was actually meant for Carmen, called it my present, and then

froze, his face draining of color as the memory hit him, he

moment, I almost thought you’d forgotten. Your precious little Carmen is a treasure, while I’m nothing but trash, is that it? Did you even count how many lashes I took that day? While your whole family was cry and festive inside for New

remembered her after preparing the Wilson family’s New Year’s dinner and brought her some food and supplies, she might have

death in that

cold, FII never forget it. It felt like the chill seeped into my bones,

He couldn’t bring

first New Year back with the Wilson family. Yet it seemed everyone had forgotten about their newest addition. Each family member had carefully prepared a New Year’s gift for Carmen, and

that day was to have a big dinner together, then take the kids and Aubree around to visit some important friends and relatives, a way to make up for not throwing her a proper welcome party when she first came

had saved on the computer. It was the worst fiscal year for Alice’s brand, which was why she had personally created this exclusive holiday collection,

the freebie perfume that came with Carmen’s

present

surprise on Aubree’s face as she held the gift. “Emery is this realty

remembered how Aubree’s face had lit up with pure, radiant joy. Now, just thinking

chill seized

New Year’s gift, but he even had the audacity to use that so–called favor to pressure Aubree into

furious mother and locked in the basement as punishment, Emery was too busy

sasement,

being introduced to everyone by her parents and receiving a flood of compliments, Aubree was locked away completely forgotten. If it hadn’t been for Wendy, who kept worrying about her and sent Alice a

next morning

on him just how deeply he’d hurt her,

brought it up, that memory would bkely have been

he could recall was

of his

blame to spare Carmen from their mother’s wrath, Ho never once considered just how brutal the punishment would

his heart were being crushed in a vice, he could barely