Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 114 I Won't Use Money to Spoil Someone

I casually shoved my phone back in my pocket, not really sweating the message.

Victor had pulled this kind of stunt on me more times than I could count, so it didn't even faze me anymore.

But seriously, why was he going to such crazy lengths to get rid of me? Following me around, snapping secret pics? Dude, that's not something a guy his age should be doing.

Thinking back, I realized the shock of finding out Victor was the stalker made me miss some red flags that should've been obvious.

Like, Victor knew Faris. And Faris had mentioned on the observation deck that the Windsor family owed him way more than $150,000. What kind of beef did Faris have with the Windsors? Back then, I never would've guessed that this grudge had anything to do with me.

After I spilled the beans about what happened that day, Ethan straight-up banned me from going to driving school and told me to steer clear of Faris. I kinda saw that coming since the whole kidnapping thing by Faris still haunted us, which was why I wanted to keep it on the down-low from him in the first place.

But I was already halfway through the course and didn't want to quit. After a lot of convincing, Ethan finally caved and said he'd try to tag along with me to driving school as much as he could.

That worked for me. Even though Faris had helped me out twice, I always felt he was bad news, so it was best to keep my distance.

Weirdly enough, Ethan came with me for a few days, but we never saw Faris again.

He was just as mysterious as Michael had said.

The best-case scenario for me was not running into him. Ideally, he'd stay MIA until I got my driver's license.

Lately, Faye had been coming home super late every day, sometimes not at all. When she did show up, she left early in the morning, so we barely saw each other. With no interaction, there was no drama, and we got along just fine. I was a softie, and time made me forget little spats easily. When she left in the morning, I even told her not to overwork herself and to take care of her health.

After all, Faye was just a young girl who hadn't really faced the real world yet. Even though she sometimes dressed all mature and acted like she had it all figured out, her youthful and naive side would peek through now and then. Setting aside her special status as Fiona's sister, I didn't dislike her that much. If she weren't so ambitious, I'd be down to treat her like a sister.

Before I knew it, it was the end of November. That evening, Faye came back pretty early. She said the next day was the live broadcast of the next competition, so the organizers let them come back early to rest and prep. "Emily, your hand's still messed up. Let me cook. I haven't had time to cook for you guys lately."

Such sweet words.

If only she were as genuine as she seemed, I'd really like her.

Of course, I didn't argue with her. If she wanted to cook, I let her.

I figured she had to eat too, and so did Ethan. She wouldn't poison the food, so I ate it without a second thought.

Not long after dinner, it got dark.

Faye had just finished washing the dishes when the phone rang. She dried her hands and answered it while walking out to the garden.

I went to the balcony to feed Scruffy. Faye was deep in her call with her back to the living room and didn't notice me.

gifts? I made it clear who gets what, so

it's from Faye, number 12. Got

it's not a big deal. Just a

Scruffy and headed

was chilling on the couch watching TV, and I plopped

was watching some political news, but I just couldn't get into

excitedly on a single sofa. "Ethan, Emily, you gotta come watch the competition tomorrow. You guys are my support

remembered that during the last audition, she said our presence would make her

feeling confident, probably because of the gifts she had given

that day, spending money like it was

tend to be more lenient when they get gifts, but I wondered if the judges would

get enough rest. Just do your thing tomorrow.

words were probably the biggest boost for her. Faye said a few more things before heading upstairs, her steps more

went upstairs, I couldn't help but ask, "Aren't

looked at me,

spoil her with luxury. Spoiling her with a fancy lifestyle will make it tough for her to handle life without cash. She might get all

saying, but I never did that. I know better than

all that dough

stuff was pretty

found a sugar daddy? Someone even

do you say

drama, and the background music was all soft and

and it sounded like she was talking about bribing the judges. I'm worried that at such a young age, she

lips curled into a loving smile as he pulled me to

actually very kind, and you care

I didn't really care about Faye; I just didn't want to see

obstacle between Ethan and me, dreams were a luxury. I didn't want

shoulder, my tone softened

don't have to hold a

his voice warm. "I know, Emily

I still loved hearing it. Women are like that; sometimes, they just want to hear

team, it couldn't just be the two of us. So,

there a little after 7. They were

our seats were right in the front

to sit down when someone tugged at me. Turning around, I saw Faye grinning playfully at

to put on. I can't zip it up by myself, and everyone else is busy

was a small favor, so I nodded without

room, and I

she closed the door,