The Billionaire's Regret: His Secret Wife Turned Medical Genius novel Chapter 51

Emily wasn't there at all.

A wave of fury surged within Gabriel. Had he been fooled?

He pulled out his phone and dialed Emily's number. However, it was only to be met with the cold, automated voicemail message.

"The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."

Gabriel hung up the phone, his grip on the phone tightening.

Emily was really testing his patience.

With that, he turned around and called Roman. "Find her. I want to know where Emily is in five minutes."

…

Back at the Sterling residence, Emily dragged her exhausted body into the living room.

Maurice rushed to her, his face filled with anxiety and disappointment. "Well? Did you find him?"

Emily wearily shook her head.

"You're utterly useless! What was the point of raising you if you couldn't even find your own brother?" Maurice roared.

Emily looked at him, dejected.

All he ever cared about was Cole.

Just then, the front door clicked open, and Cole stumbled inside. His clothes were rumpled, his hair a mess, and he had dark circles under his eyes.

"Cole!" Maurice's expression instantly brightened. He rushed forward to support his son. "Where have you been? You worried me to death!"

Emily, however, coldly glared at him. She could smell the mixture of cigarettes, cheap alcohol, and perfume on Cole—he must have been at the casino again.

She stepped forward and snapped, "You were gambling again!"

Cole's heart skipped a beat, and he avoided her gaze. "What are you talking about? I was just out with some friends. My phone died!" he protested.

"Emily! Is that any way to talk to your brother? He just got home! Instead of being concerned, you're giving him lectures!" Maurice immediately came to Cole's defense.

As Emily looked at the two of them, she felt nothing but bitter irony.

Arguing with them was pointless.

Upon seeing her back down, Cole sighed with relief and seized the opportunity. "Dad, Emily, I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed."

With that, he practically fled up the stairs.

He didn't dare tell them the truth.

The 500 thousand from Damien was gone, and he was now another one million dollars in debt. If Maurice found out, he'd break his legs.

Cole froze, his grip on the phone tightening.

How could he hand over his own sister to a monster like Damien?

Instantly, an image of Emily's proud, unyielding face flashed in his mind.

No. Absolutely not.

But he now carried the weight of the one million dollar debt, and he could never pay it back. A man like Damien would kill him.

Soon, Damien lost his patience. "Don't waste my time, kid. This isn't a request," he warned Cole.

Then, he shifted his tone and casually said, "What are you so worried about? I'm not going to hurt her. We'll just talk and have a few drinks.

"I heard she's divorcing that rich husband of hers anyway. A divorced woman's going to need a new man, right? She could do a lot worse than me."

The word "divorce" echoed in Cole's mind.

It was true. Emily was indeed leaving Gabriel. Soon, she wouldn't be his wife anymore, and without Gabriel's protection, she would be nothing. Instead, she would need him and this family to survive.

If Cole had more money, he could win it all back. He could be somebody again. Then, he could protect Emily and their family. That was what this was about.

The thought, once planted, spread like a poison, overwhelming every last shred of Cole's conscience.