My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 103

Emily Blair’s brow twitched ever so slightly, just as she was about to speak, when Kevin Lane cut in again.

“This time, the press will be there. I’ve arranged for someone to help you with your outfit, maybe get a few nice photos taken.”

With that, everything clicked into place for Emily.

The Lane family had invited the media to cover the big announcement: Andrew Lane and Isabella Austin’s engagement. Everyone knew she—Emily, the daughter of the Lane family’s late chauffeur—had been taken in by them after her father’s accident.

The Lanes cared deeply about their public image, and Kevin Lane never missed a chance to milk the story of her adoption for good press.

If reporters found out she’d actually been kicked out of the house long ago, it would be a disaster for the Lane family’s reputation.

So that’s why Kevin Lane was so desperate for her to show up at the birthday bash.

A sudden laugh slipped from Emily’s lips.

What did the Lane family’s reputation have to do with her anymore? In her last life, when her own name was dragged through the mud, not a single Lane had lifted a finger to help her—in fact, they’d made things worse.

Smiling softly, Emily lowered her voice. “It’s fine, Grandpa. You all have a wonderful time. No need to fuss over my outfit.”

She didn’t wait for Kevin Lane to answer before continuing, “Let me just wish you a happy birthday, good health, and a long, long life.”

“Alright, Grandpa, I have to get back to studying. Goodbye.”

With a click, Emily hung up.

When she turned, she found Emma George looking at her with a mixture of hope and disappointment.

Emma asked cautiously, “Was that Kevin Lane inviting us to the party?”

Emily gave a straightforward nod. “Yeah.”

She sat down at the table and speared a piece of golden, sizzling egg with her fork, popping it into her mouth.

Emma took the chair across from her. “Did you turn him down?”

Emily shot her a sidelong glance. “Of course. It’s pretty obvious they’re going to announce Andrew Lane’s engagement to Isabella Austin at this party. No reason for me to show up and play along.”

She half-expected Emma to still be dreaming about getting in the Lane family’s good graces.

Instead, Emma clutched at her chest in mock outrage. “Mr. Lane’s really marrying his ex?”

And they hadn’t given it to her?

Was it too late to call back and say she’d changed her mind?

The Lane family’s “good name” was nothing compared to five hundred grand.

She’d never even seen a trace of that money in her last life—proof enough the Lanes never meant to hand it over.

In a flash, Emily grabbed her phone, staring at it like she was marching off to war.

Would Kevin Lane even answer if she called back now?

Her mind spun with a hundred frantic thoughts.

But just as she was about to swallow her pride and dial, Andrew Lane’s name lit up her screen.

Emma squeezed her arm, whispering, “Pick up! Get that money!”

Emily jumped at her friend’s urgency—and answered the call.