Emery felt a surge of pride and satisfaction as she received compliments from wealthy ladies, her smile brightening after a long time. Though she still harbored some bitterness toward her adopted daughter Gianna, Emery acknowledged Gianna’s skill in flattery and social navigation. During a gathering filled with card games and status displays, Emery decided it was time to leave and suggested going home with Gianna. As they walked, Emery warned Gianna to keep her distance from her brothers and value her engagement, reminding her of the fragile family dynamics.
Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by a speeding car. Gianna instinctively pushed Emery out of harm’s way, taking the full impact herself. The violent collision left Gianna bleeding and unconscious on the pavement, while Emery was left shaken and terrified. Despite the shock and panic, Emery held her injured daughter close, overwhelmed by guilt and sorrow for having been angry with Gianna before. She realized how much Gianna had risked to protect her and felt a profound mixture of gratitude and regret.
As Gianna lay injured, she faintly reassured Emery, hiding her pain behind a weak smile. Inwardly, Gianna saw this injury as a necessary sacrifice in her larger plan to gain Emery’s loyalty and influence. She imagined a future where Emery would be completely under her control, possibly even used to defeat Amelia, her rival. This moment of pain was a strategic loss for a greater victory.
When Gianna regained consciousness in the hospital, she was comforted to see her brothers gathered around her bed, deeply worried but relieved she was awake. The presence of her family brought some solace amid the physical pain and emotional turmoil she endured.
Chapter 341: The Accident
Emery remained mostly silent, but inside, a wave of satisfaction surged through her at all the compliments she received. A proud, contented smile—one she hadn’t worn in quite some time—slowly spread across her face, brightening her features.
Watching the other wealthy ladies cast envious glances her way only fueled her ego further, making her feel triumphant.
Her gaze then settled on Gianna, and though some bitterness lingered, her expression had softened considerably compared to a few days earlier.
She had to admit—this adopted daughter of hers was quite skilled at flattery. Gianna knew just when to be warm or distant, and her words were always sweet and well-measured.
When these affluent women gathered, it was often for card games, sipping tea, and endless chatter filled with subtle displays of status and wealth.
After a while of eating, drinking, and showing off their finery, Emery decided it was time to leave. She turned to Gianna and suggested they head home together.
As they stepped outside, the two walked side by side, exchanging casual conversation.
“Gianna, you’ve been doing well these past few days,” Emery began, her tone firm but caring. “But don’t forget what I told you: keep your distance from your brothers. You’re all adults now, and there are boundaries between men and women.”
She glanced at Gianna with a serious look. “Your brothers will get married one day, and you already have a fiancé. The Desters have tried to call off your engagement several times. I’ve managed to talk them out of it more than once, so you need to treasure it. Next time, I might not be able to help.”
Now that they were alone with no one else around, Emery felt free to speak candidly. She began to nag, reminding Gianna to know her place and avoid unnecessary games or provocations.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll listen to you,” Gianna replied, feigning obedience and careful not to argue, which pleased Emery greatly.
Yet inside, Gianna was boiling with frustration. How dare this woman—who had no real standing, just the luck of being born into wealth and marrying into the Nygard family—lecture her like this?
If it weren’t part of her carefully crafted plan, Gianna wouldn’t have bothered pretending at all.
“Good, as long as you listen. Now, you’re coming with me to—” Emery’s words were suddenly cut off.
Out of nowhere, a car came hurtling toward them at a dangerous speed.
“Mom! Watch out!” Gianna shouted without hesitation.
Without a second thought, she lunged forward and shoved Emery out of the path of the speeding vehicle, taking the full force of the impact herself.
The collision sent Gianna flying through the air before she crashed hard onto the pavement. Her pristine white dress was instantly stained with bright red blood.
Emery’s face drained of color, shock rendering her legs weak and trembling.
“Gianna! Gianna, are you okay?!” she screamed, her voice trembling with panic.
Nearby onlookers gasped in horror at the scene and hurried over to help.
When Gianna next opened her eyes, she found herself in a hospital room filled with the sterile scent of disinfectant.
Her brothers were gathered closely around her bed.
“Gianna, you’re awake! You scared me half to death!” Miguel exclaimed, relief flooding his voice.
“Yeah! Mom called and said you’d been hit by a car. I was about to lose it!” another brother added anxiously.
Gianna blinked slowly, feeling the dull ache in her body but comforted by the familiar faces surrounding her.
The chapter closes on a poignant and intense note, highlighting the complex dynamics between Emery and Gianna. Emery’s pride and cautious affection contrast sharply with Gianna’s concealed resentment and strategic resolve, underscoring the fragile balance of their relationship. The accident becomes a pivotal moment that exposes the depth of Gianna’s sacrifice and the vulnerability beneath Emery’s composed exterior, weaving together themes of loyalty, pain, and unspoken intentions.
Despite the physical and emotional turmoil, the chapter leaves a lingering sense of hope and determination. Gianna’s injury, while severe, is portrayed as a calculated step toward a larger goal, blending sacrifice with ambition. The presence of her brothers and Emery’s heartfelt concern suggests that, amid the fractures and tensions, family ties remain a powerful force. This moment of crisis serves as a catalyst for change, hinting at the evolving bonds and the unfolding drama yet to come.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the aftermath of the shocking accident, exploring the emotional turmoil that grips each character. Gianna’s injury will undoubtedly stir a complex mix of guilt, fear, and perhaps newfound respect from Emery, whose protective instincts have been painfully awakened. As the family gathers around Gianna, tensions simmer beneath the surface, hinting at unresolved conflicts and fragile alliances that could be tested in the days to come.
Emery’s shaken resolve and Gianna’s hidden motives set the stage for an intense exploration of loyalty and power within the family. The delicate balance between control and submission may shift in unexpected ways, with Gianna’s carefully laid plans now entwined with vulnerability. Readers can anticipate moments of raw emotion and subtle manipulation as the characters navigate the uncertain path ahead, their relationships evolving under the strain of this crisis.

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