Let’s start all over again,shall we?

Chapter 185 Long-awaited Reputation "Ms. Holland, I appreciate your kindness, but I don't deserve this. Please take back the gift. Erick's expression was gentle but detached, devoid of warmth, making it impossible to find fault.

His composed demeanour rendered him unreadable to Emma.

Despite holding onto hope. Emma had predicted Ericko's refusal. Yet, she had practised her words iri anticipation.

"Your birthday is coming up. Take this pen as an early birthday present," Emma insisted, thrusting the box towards Ericko.

Ericko's face remained expressionless as he simply replied, "Thanks for the pen. Ms. Holland." pen Emma let out a relieved sigh, a glimmer of happiness warming her heart, diluting the unpleasantness of losing the auction from Maggie and Mia.

She had prepared ahead. If Ericko declined, she'd cite his upcoming birthday as the reason.

Given the acquaintance between the Hollands and the Adams, it was customary for her to give a gift. Refusing hers would raise suspicions. By using his birthday as an excuse, he'd find it harder to refuse.

Even if he accepted now, she could always give him another gift on his birthday, blending it with others and delivering it to his house. That way, hers wouldn't stand out.

Emma had planned meticulously, so when she handed the pen to Ericko, her expression softened slightly. Ericko didn't glance at the pen. He simply stated, 'Ms. Holland, you've spent money. Later I'll transfer it to Mr. Holland's card.

Emma's smile wavered after just one sentence. Even she couldn't smile.

He appeared to have received her gift, yet he declined in this fashion.

There's no need to be so formal. I insisted. It's too polite of you to offer money," Emma struggled to express.

"No pain, no gain. Ms. Holland, I appreciate your kindness, so I'll accept the pen, Ericko nodded, ready to depart Mia stepped forward, unable to contain herself, "Mr. Adam, I've heard so much about you." Ericko halted, meeting the woman's gaze, and gave a slight nod. "Ms. Gatlin." Spotting Mia's arrival, Emma, who stood behind her, quickly followed suit, eyeing Mia warily. "What's your intention, Ms. Gatlin?" Mia chuckled. "That's none of your concern!" With a merciless tone, Mia's direct words drained the colour from Emma's face, igniting anger, “I ...

"Oh, I get it. You're after Mr. Adam!" Mia interjected. Her bossy and beautiful face, yet compassionate demeanour implied she understood everything.

15:34 Wed, 22 May BB Chapter 185 Long-awaited Reputation Emma quivered with fury. She had never met anyone like Mia before! 85% "No wonder they call the Gatlins nouveau riche. Ms. Gatlin's lack of manners is quite revealing!" Emma gritted her teeth, disgusted by this woman who repeatedly messed up her affairs.

Mix gave out cold chuckle, her captivating eyes dimming slightly as she locked gazes with Emma. "Alright. I dare you to repeat that in front of my father "You!!!" Emma's breath hitched, her entire body trembling.

Mia pursed her lips, a gleam of mockery glinting in her eyes as she disregarded her phone and dialled Jordan's number without hesitation.

After a few moments, Jordan picked up the call.

"What's the matter, Mia? Are you not enjoying yourself at the auction? Do you need more money?" Jordan's voice rang through the line as soon as he answered.

"Dad, do you know the Hollands? Emma just called you nouveau riche and accusedof having no manners!" Mia confidently recounted the incident. Emma's face was turning pale, which was incredibly unattractive. She completely ruined Emma's perception.

"Just hold on, I'll have a word with her dad. I'll ask Mr. Holland how he managed to raise such a well- mannered daughter!" Jordan abruptly ended the call, the loud 'click' showing his heightened anger, which surpassed Mia's.

Emma attempted to speak several times but found herself unable to do it Mia's attention shifted to the pen box in Ericko's grasp, prompting her to speak further. "Ms. Holland, letmake this clear. Even though it's no secret that you have unrequited love with Mr. Adam, you can't trouble him like this.

"Mr. Adam will have to pay an additional hundred thousand dollars because of your little scams, and for no apparent reason, he has beca scapegoat. How pitifull" Mia scowled, offering genuine advice.

"I didn't..." Emma dreaded being involved with Ericko. As Mia spoke, she instinctively glanced towards him.

Though he remained impassive, devoid of any emotion, Emma felt her heart clenched painfully.

When Ericko offered her money earlier, she felt uneasy, worried that he would be irritated and think she was meddling, forcing him to pay her hundred thousand dollars.

Emma's discomfort increased as Mia brought this issue to light.

Moreover, his intention to transfer the money to her father was a clear warning against repeating such actions.

Regardless of how much she fulled it over, being pointed out by Mia added another layer of complication. "Ericko, I want you to have this pen. Don't think too much. If you want to thank me, just inviteto Wed, 22 Chapter 185 Long-awaited Reputation dinner another day... Emma's voice wavered, and her eyes turned red, as she attempted to salvage sdignity.

Mia arched her eyebrows in surprise.

Why does she have such audacity?! Before either Mia or Ericko could respond, Emma's phone suddenly rang. When she saw her father's incoming call, her expression darkened even more..

Emma assumed it must be about a dispute at the auction and Jordan's call, and answering would look bad. She promptly ended the call, unwilling to subject herself to embarrassment in front of Ericko and Mia.

"Oh, why isn't Ms. Holland picking up?" Mia's smile took on a sly edge, relishing the unfolding .

"I don't need your concern, Ms. Gatlin, Emma retorted icily.

Just then, a friend who usually got along well with Emma and Beth approached m ched with a phone in hand, "Emma, Mr. Holland called me. He said your phone wasn't reachable, and Beth had to leave early." Emma's complexion drained with a single sentence, her gaze darkening as she looked at the newcomer.

Idi't! She purposely ignored the call, but her friend insisted on bringing the phone to her! Emma suppressed her anger and reluctantly answered, "Dad."

"All your foolish antics have spread like wildfire! I warned you not to provoke the Adams, yet here you'are dragging the Gatlins into this mess! Do you think Jordan is a pushover? How utterly foolish!!!" her father's. voice seethed through the phone.