The Rogue King's Surrogate novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Before the manager could say anything, Claire found her voice. She shoved her hand out, pointing wildly at Emery. “You! Since you’re the manager, call security! Drag her out! She’s the problem here!”

The manager blinked, taken aback by the sudden outburst. His eyes darted to Emery, then to Nina, and back to Claire, trying to piece together what happened.

“Why are you just standing there?” Claire snapped at the manager. “Call security already! Someone like her shouldn’t even be allowed inside. Do you even know what kind of woman she is?”

“You” Claire pointed at Emery. “Why are you laughing, huh? Who the hell are you laughing at!” she screamed, her hands already shaking from anger.

When no one answered, Claire suddenly lunged at Emery.

Or at least, she tried to.

Instead of connecting, she tripped over her own feet and slammed the side of her head against the edge of the table with a loud thunk. Several people gasped. Nina quickly grabbed her phone, pretending to text but already recording the chaos.

Claire growled under her breath and pushed herself up, wild–eyed. Without missing a beat, she threw herself toward Emery again.

This time, Emery simply took a small step to the side. Claire’s hands grabbed at air.

A few tables away, someone audibly snorted. Phones were up everywhere now.

Realizing how bad this looked, Vanessa rushed forward and tried to grab Claire’s arms. “Claire, stop it! You’re embarrassing us!”

Sadly, Claire didn’t care. She shoved her mother away with a hard push, sending Vanessa straight to the floor with a heavy thud.

El

Emery pressed her fingers to her lips, trying not to laugh, but Nina wasn’t able to stop herself from giggling while staring at Vanessa.

Still determined, Claire charged at her once more. Emery stepped to the side again, effortlessly, like she was dodging a slow–moving toddler. Claire, unable to stop her momentum, barreled straight into a glass panel that displayed a neat arrangement of pastries and

desserts.

The glass cracked loudly, a muffin bouncing off Claire’s head as she staggered back.

Nina finally gave up pretending and started openly recording, biting back a grin as she zoomed in on Claire, who was now covered in crumbs and humiliation.

“Wow,” Emery said casually, picking up her purse. “You’re right, Claire. This place is a little cheap. Look how easily you broke it.”

The manager, who had been frozen in place, finally stepped between them. His hand hovered awkwardly like he wasn’t sure if he should help Claire up or just call the police.

Meanwhile, Vanessa scrambled to her feet, brushing herself off furiously. Her face was beet red.

“You dare avoid me!?” Claire screeched, her mascara–streaked face twisted in rage.

Before anyone could react, she charged again.

Emery sidestepped, but her heel caught the edge of a damp tile. Her foot slipped out from under her. She flailed for balance, expecting to hit the floor.

Instead, she landed against something solid.

Two strong arms caught her easily.

For a second, the world seemned to slow down. Emery blinked up and locked eyes with the same familiar golden ones she had been seeing far too often lately.

It was him.

The same man from the clinic. The same man who punched Samuel. The same man who somehow kept popping up when she least

wanted him to.

Emery cleared her throat and quickly pulled herself upright. She smoothed her jacket with quick, stiff movements. “I’m fine,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “Thanks.”

even worse with each wipe of her hand.

The manager sighed, pulled out his walkie–talkie, and muttered something about needing backup.

Just as Emery opened her mouth to tell the man to leave, she heard him ask, “Do you think they sell popcorn here?”

Naturally, Emery ignored him. She turned her focus on Claire, studying her through narrowed eyes. Claire Dwight had always been spoiled, and coddled by both her mother and brother. She was used to getting everything she wanted with nothing more than a snap of her fingers.

“You-“Vanessa’s voice snapped Emery out of her thoughts. She turned to see Vanessa struggling to pull Claire off the floor. “Tell security to confiscate everyone’s phone!” Vanessa barked at the manager.

ao I am? I’m Samuel Dwight’s mother! The CEO

When the manager didn’t move, Vanessa’s face twisted with fury. “Do you even know of Dwight Enterprises!” she snapped. “I can have all of you fired! Now do what I said and take their phones–or my lawyer will make sure every single one of you gets sued!”

Emery smirked. Was this woman always this unhinged?

She could hardly believe that for years, she had bent over backward for Vanessa Dwight, doing everything short of groveling at her feet just to earn her approval.

“Mother, what is going on here?”

The voice cut through the noise like a blade.

Emery froze.

Slow

her.

“km