Chapter 44
Having worked in the PR department of Castro Group before, Emma was highly attuned to surveillance systems. Yet the campus surveillance cameras had been deliberately sabotaged. Clutching the flash drive tightly, she made her way straight to her advisor’s office.
When she entered, Rachel Hubbard’s expression shifted, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face.
Emma, however, remained perfectly composed. She stepped forward, prompting Rachel to sigh and offer a quiet word of advice. “Emma, you need to be more careful at university. Your grades are excellent, but the faculty also evaluates a student’s moral conduct.”
Emma caught the unspoken meaning behind Rachel’s words. Without hesitation, she extended the flash drive, her voice calm and unwavering.
“Ms. Hubbard, there’s nothing improper between Brian and me, and I have never two–timed anyone. As soon as I found out about this, I checked the university’s surveillance records. Someone deliberately sabotaged the cameras this morning.”
Rachel’s frown deepened as she instinctively took the flash drive.
Seeing the firm determination in Emma’s eyes, she began to suspect that the situation was far more complicated than the rumors suggested.
“I’ll conduct a thorough investigation. For now, take a break for a couple of days. Don’t come to campus,” she said.
If Emma stayed, the situation would only spiral further out of control.
Emma understood the reasoning, but unease still settled in her chest.
The William Enterprises project had been progressing smoothly, but if the faculty took the scandal seriously, there was no telling if she’d still be allowed to participate.
As she stepped through the university gates, her expression remained grim, and her head was lowered in deep thought.
Then, out of nowhere, a sleek car pulled up in front of her, cutting off her path. Startled, she looked up. “Gabriel?”
Gabriel’s expression remained cold and unreadable as he said in a low voice, “Emma, I’ll get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry. And for the record, I believe you and Brian have nothing going
- on.
”
Emma froze. “Gabriel, how did you find out so quickly?”
He hadn’t even been on campus.
Gabriel furrowed his brows slightly, his tone calm. “I received the same photos a few days ago.”
Emma’s breath hitched, her expression flickering with confusion. She stared at him in disbelief, biting her lip. “But… why didn’t you tell me?”
Didn’t he have doubts?
Even though their marriage was take, they had agreed not to see other people while it lasted.
Gabriel’s lips curled slightly, his voice steady and unhurried. “Because I knew you wouldn’t do something like that. Why bring it up and make you worry for nothing?” What he hadn’t expected, however, was how bold the culprit would be–posting the photos publicly outside the project office. Gabriel had no intention of letting it slide. A faint warmth spread through Emma’s chest.
But the moment she got into Gabriel’s car, he dropped a bombsheli. “If you go home like this, your parents are going to worry.”
Emma hesitated, realizing he had a point. She was considering booking a hotel for a few nights when his deep voice cut through her thoughts.
“Why not move in with me? If anyone dares to spread more rumors, we can just make our marriage public. Let’s see who has the guts to keep pushing it.”
Gabriel rarely got involved, but that didn’t mean he would tolerate this forever.
Emma’s mind went blank for a moment. Move in? Live together?
She pressed her lips together, taking a slow, steady breath. “We=”
Before she could finish, Gabriel interrupted smoothly.
“Emma, don’t overthink it. This is a contract marriage, and we’re supposed to help each other. You’re being slandered. Am I just supposed to sit back and do nothing? Besides, living together will only make our marriage look even more real.”
