The Rogue King's Surrogate novel Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Samuel, I’m glad that you’re here. Look at this wretched bullying–your sister!” Vanessa quickly straightened her back and ran towards her son.

“Brother!” Claire wailed before she pointed a finger towards Emery.“She attacked me,” she said between sobs. “Emery did this. She shoved me. She humiliated me in front of everyone.”

Samuel’s eyes snapped to Emery. “What did you do?”

Emery smiled faintly. “Check the cameras before accusing me of anything.”

“She’s lying!” Claire screamed. “She broke everything, and now she’s trying to frame me for it.”

Samuel stepped forward. “Emery! What the hell are you up to now? How could you hurt my sister like this?”

Emery snorted and looked at the manager. “The one who broke all that stuff is going to pay for it, right?”

The manager hesitated but gave a reluctant nod.

Emery didn’t look away. “And if they don’t pay, you’ll sue them for the damages, correct?”

Again, the manager nodded.

She turned her attention back to Samuel. “Pay them for the damages your sister caused. And stop treating this like some palace drama. This is a public place with security cameras. Everyone saw what happened. Your sister acted like a rabid dog and tried to attack me.”

“How could you- “Samuel tried to say but Emery cut in.

“How could I what, Samuel?” She took a step forward. “How could I avoid her attack? Or are you saying I should’ve stood there while she clawed at me? Or maybe you expected me to fight her back and get dragged down to her level?”

Samuel stayed silent, but his jaw tightened.

Emery shook her head and turned toward the mess Claire had left behind. Broken glass glittered across the floor. Staff hovered nearby, unsure whether to clean up or stay out of the way.

She looked back at Samuel. “You should get her out of here before someone decides to post this online. People with your last name shouldn’t be filmed throwing tantrums in bakeries.”

Behind her, Nina muffled a laugh and slipped her phone back into her coat.

Vanessa stood frozen a few feet away, staring at the scene like she couldn’t believe any of it had happened. Meanwhile, Claire was still crying, but no one seemed interested in comforting her anymore.

Samuel stared at Emery for another few seconds, then turned to the manager. “We’ll pay for the damages.”

The manager only nodded again.

Hearing this, Emery grabbed her purse and walked past all of them without another word. Or at least, she tried to.

“You bitch!” Emery heard Vanessa hiss behind her.

Before she could take another step, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her around. Vanessa’s other hand came up fast, aiming for her face.

To everyone’s surprise, including Emery, she actually caught the woman’s wrist.

Her fingers wrapped around Vanessa’s wrist with a sharp snap. The older woman’s eyes widened. Emery didn’t let go.

Vanessa tried to pull back “Let go of me,” she said. Her face twisted.

“You just tried to assault me. In public.”

Vanessa yanked at her arm again, but Emery’s grip only tightened.

A few feet away, Samuel suddenly moved. His hand reached out, going straight for Emery’s armi

1/3

12:35 AM PP

Chapter 14

He didn’t make it.

A loud slap cracked through the air as Logan’s hand slammed into the side of Samuel’s hand.

“Samuel-” Vanessa’s voice broke through. She shifted her weight, her free hand clutching her son’s sleeve. “My wrist,” she said. “Let me go. It hurts.”

Vanessa immediately raised both hands to her face.

Emery laughed. “Relax. I’m not like you. I don’t go around hitting people half my age just because I want to feel powerful.” She took a step forward. “Or respected.”

Vanessa flinched.

“Emery!” Samuel barked, “How dare you!? How could you say that to my mother?”

Emery turned her head toward him. “So what if she’s your mother? Is she nine? Am I supposed to stay quiet while she keeps swinging at me like a lunatic?”

Samuel didn’t answer

His mouth opened, then closed. He had nothing to say as his anger threatened to explode.

From behind him, Claire moved closer, now standing beside Vanessa. Her face was blotchy and stained, but her eyes were sharp.

“Don’t you dare forgive her,” Claire said, grabbing Samuel’s arm. “Don’t ever let her set foot in our house again.”

Emery looked between them. She watched how Samuel stood there, silent, as his sister held onto him and his mother leaned against his side like a wounded queen. Then she snorted.

2/3

12:35 AM P

Chapter 13

“Look, brother Look at how arrogant she is! She must be trying to play hard to get, thinking you would still like her after-”

“Shut up” Samuel hosed. He glared at the tall man standing beside her like a damn knight waiting to protect her before he turned towards her “You need to end this nonsense, Em! You aren’t convincing anyone here. You and I need to talk like damn adults!” he hissed as be seaded his mother

Einery looked at him for a moment, then slid her hand through Logan’s arm. “I don’t believe there’s anything left for us to discuss, Mr.

五