Janie appeared very reserved when she was with Benjamin, and there was no hint of her flamboyant personality at all.

As Emmeline turned on the faucet, she hummed a nursery rhyme while washing her hands.

“You seem to be very happy today!” came a cold voice from behind.

Upon hearing that, Emmeline’s head whipped around.

Abel covered her mouth and pulled her into a cubicle, locking the door with a click.

“Hey, what do you want to do?” Emmeline muffled her words through Abel’s hand.

Emmeline’s first instinct was to retaliate, but once she realized who it was, she relaxed as she remembered the ointment he had given her the night before.

Abel enveloped her slender waist with his arms and pinned her to the wall, his towering stature looming over her.

His thumb brushed against her lips as he asked, “What do you think I should do?”

“How am I supposed to know?”

Only then did Emmeline notice the suppressed anger in his eyes, and asked in a panic, “Why are you here?”

Abel snorted coldly, “Am I not allowed to be here? Are you afraid that I’ll see it?”

“Huh?” Emmeline was confused and didn’t understand what he was referring to.

Abel bowed his head and continued, “Emmeline, you are not bad, not bad at all!”

“What do you mean?”

Abel let out a cold laugh and sneered, “On one hand, you have Adrien waiting for you, and now you have Benjamin here with you. Occasionally, you even find the time to hook up with me. It seems like the rumor that caused an uproar in Struyria five years ago wasn’t baseless after all!”

Emmeline’s expression suddenly changed as she asked herself, “What is this man talking about?”

“Abel, what do you mean by saying all of that?”

“You don’t understand what I’m saying? Are you playing dumb with me? You’re a despicable woman!”

Unable to contain her anger any longer, Emmeline broke free from his restraint, and elbowed him in the process.

Abel deftly dodged to the side, then quickly reached out and took hold of her elbow, drawing her back into his embrace once more.

“I acknowledge your skills, however, you are competing against someone with military training. If you do not accept this as your defeat, you are welcome to make another attempt.”

“Irrespective of who you are, I cannot withstand being insulted in such a way. Abel Ryker, I insist that you apologize to me immediately for what you said.”

“You made me angry. Why should I apologize to you?!”

Emmeline’s eyes filled with tears and she spoke in a sharp tone, “I’ll say it one more time! Abel Ryker, apologize to me right now!”

Abel was stunned for a moment as he stared blankly at the fiercely angry expression.

He was surprised by the extent of Emmeline’s anger, as she appeared on the verge of exploding.

In fact, he had just said those in a fit of rage.

He was wondering how he could explain himself at this point, as there seemed to be no way to do so.

Abel bowed his head and tenderly pressed his lips against the soft but unyielding lips in front of him.

He held her tightly, and Emmeline found herself powerless against his embrace, which felt as unyielding as a sturdy iron wall.

Only after Abel had thoroughly ravaged her lips did he lift his head.

“Emma, sor…”

“Smack!”

With a fierce strike to his cheek, Emmeline forcefully shoved him back and stormed out.

Abel was left leaning against the sink in a state of pitiful despair.

Benjamin and Janie were deep in conversation when she returned to the dining table. Neither of them noticed that Emmeline was acting strangely.

Directly in front of her was a plate of spicy fried fish. Emmeline cut off a piece and ate it, then exaggeratedly exclaimed, “Oh my God! It’s so spicy! Oh! It’s burning me!”

“Emma!” Benjamin stood up in a panic and asked, “Is it too spicy for you?”

“Mmmhmm.” Emmeline covered her mouth and nodded repeatedly while making a sound of agreement. Her eyes, which had been red-rimmed before, now appeared natural.

“Here, drink some juice quickly.”

Emmeline held onto Benjamin’s hand as he brought the glass of juice to her lips, taking large gulps.

“Are you feeling better now?” Benjamin asked with genuine concern as he handed her a tissue to wipe her mouth.

Emmeline nodded and replied, “Yes, I feel much better now. My tongue isn’t burning anymore.”

Stunned as she watched them, Janie finally asked, “Mr. Benjamin, what is your relationship with Emma?”

“Huh?”

Benjamin was momentarily taken aback by the question before responding, “She’s my sister!”

“Oh, no wonder,” Janie exhaled with relief, “you two look very intimate.”

Abel emerged from the restroom looking dejected. Having attended to his affairs, he hastily departed.

Emmeline ate the rest of her meal in a relaxed atmosphere, but her innermost being belied a tumultuous unrest.

How could Abel have insulted her in that manner?

Eventually, it was time for everyone to leave.

Janie blinked and asked, “Uh, I took a taxi here. Could either of you give me a ride home?”