Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 99

Emmy’s heart did a little flip and she managed an awkward smile. “I did say something.”

She suddenly grabbed her drink and stood up. “Hey, everyone—thank you for coming to see me while I was in the hospital. I know your jobs are tough and dangerous, and I’m not great at speeches, but I just want to wish you all safe returns every time you go out on a call.”

“Thanks, Emmy!” The whole table cheered, glasses raised high.

Emmy finished her juice in one go, then quickly sat down and turned to James, looking like a kid desperate for an A on a test.

“See? I said something. I’m totally fine, you don’t need to worry.”

James just stared at her, his eyes practically shouting, “You are so not fine.”

Across the table, Abriella burst out laughing, pointing at Emmy. “Emmy, you’re adorable! If I were a guy, I’d totally fall for you.”

Everyone cracked up, the whole group warm and buzzing with energy.

Emmy’s face went bright red. She wanted to disappear right on the spot.

Great, now I look even weirder, she thought, mortified.

Steve leaned back in his chair, smirking. “Careful, Abriella. You sure you want to fight your cousin for a girl? Risky move.”

Abriella shot back, “Mind your own business, Steve. You never shut up.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so you come to the city and just forget about me? Who helped you find your family back then?”

Abriella rolled her eyes, grinning. “Wow, thanks so much, Mr. Mitchell. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be living such a spoiled life. I’ve practically lost all motivation.”

Steve glared at her. “Talk about ungrateful. No good deed goes unpunished, huh?”

For a moment, the table fell quiet until Will piped up, shyly, “Um, miss… do you have a boyfriend?”

Abriella’s whole vibe changed. She smiled brightly at him. “Nope. Why, are you applying for the job?”

Will went beet red, stammering and suddenly fascinated by his plate.

Steve took a huge bite of his steak and muttered, “Careful, kid. She’s got standards higher than the sky. Even rich boys are lining up and she turns them all down.”

Will instantly ducked his head and focused on eating.

Abriella told her, “I’ll watch out for you. Don’t be scared anymore.”

At first, Emmy was terrified. After asking around, she found out Abriella had just been found by the Sullivan family, grew up in the mountains, got picked on a lot, and that’s why she was so tough.

It made Emmy’s heart ache.

From then on, whenever someone called Abriella a “country bumpkin,” Emmy would automatically stand by her side.

Over time, the two of them became completely inseparable through all three years of high school.

Now, thinking back, Emmy realized Steve was the one who’d rescued Abriella from her old life.

So why did it seem like Abriella wasn’t grateful at all? If anything, she acted like she was holding a grudge against him.

Emmy was zoning out, poking at her food, when a tall shadow suddenly fell over her.

She snapped back to reality and saw James standing beside her again.