Chapter 5 " That's not right . That's not Everett in the painting , " someone in the crowd blurted , setting off a wave of murmurs . Everett looked at the painting , eyes narrowing . His hand clenched tightly around his wine glass . " " What do you mean it's not ? That's Everett back in college . Sure , he hadn't gotten tangled up with Emily yet , but she clearly had her eye on him even then . " " She probably hired someone to paint it . A surprise gift for Everett . " Laughter echoed all around , but the chill in Everett's eyes slowly faded . He turned to Emily , his lips moving lazily . " No matter how much effort you put in , I'm not interested . " Emily opened her mouth , then swallowed her words . She stepped forward to pack up the painting , but Jessica suddenly spoke up . " What a shame . The colors and composition are so refined . If I could copy it for practice , I might finally let go of the regret of not going to art school . " Everett's voice instantly softened . " I'll have it taken down for you . Take your time learning . " " No ! It's mine ! " Emily raised her voice at once . A flicker of disappointment crossed Jessica's face . CD0 % 00360 cher Chapter 5 She said , sounding wronged , " Forget it . I'm just an ordinary person . I don't have what it takes to make a name in the art world . I'm not worthy of copying something like that . " The cake should be ready soon . I'll go check . " She stood up and walked away quietly , looking even more pitiful . Everett's gaze turned icy as he looked at Emily . " You gave me the painting . That makes it mine . I'll give it to whoever I want . " Emily's fingers clenched , her voice rising in anger . " I never said it was for you . " Everyone looked like they'd seen a ghost . Emily had always been obedient , treating Everett's every word like law . And now she was yelling at him ? His brows furrowed tightly , clearly irritated . Nam થી એક સ " If it's not for me , then who ? Cut the act . That's enough . " Give the painting to Jessica . " Emily met his gaze head - on . " No. " Everett let out a cold snort , turned , and pulled out his phone as he walked out . " Buy the villa at Roselane Manor . Put Jessica's name on the deed . Add a clause , all items inside belong to her . " " We're married ! You can't use joint assets to buy gifts for another woman . I have the right to contest that ! " Emily rushed after him , blocking his path . His face turned grim . His black eyes narrowed dangerously . " Are you threatening me ? " 27.01 % 0036 Chapter 5 At that moment , Jessica came out pushing a towering eight - layer cake . " Mr. Barnes , the cake's ready . Time to blow out the cand ... " She let out a sharp cry , twisting her ankle . The cake cart tipped , crashing into the painting . Cream and strawberry filling splattered across the canvas like a wave . A candle flame leapt up with a whoosh and caught the painting . The crowd panicked and scattered . Only Emily ran back toward the fire . " No ! " Her fingertips blistered as she tried to smother the flames with her bare hands . " I'll help ! " Jessica grabbed alcohol and poured it over the canvas . Flames exploded upward , devouring the painting in a burst of fire . Jessica stepped back , covering her mouth . " I'm sorry , Ms. Simpson . I thought it was water . " " Get away from me ! " Emily clutched the charred remains in her hands , tears falling fast . Her heart felt like it had been seared . Her Elliott had secretly prepared their wedding home . She never knew . She just found out - and now it was ruined . Everett stepped closer . His lips moved . " It's just a damn painting . Jessica was only trying to help . " " Help ? " Emily snapped her head up , eyes bloodshot , filled with hate . Everett's heart skipped a beat . He had never seen her like this . The girl in 57 46 % 00:36 Chapter 5 his memories had always been gentle , like a little creature full of light and love when she looked at him - never like this . Everyone froze . Everett instinctively shielded Jessica behind him , staring at Emily warily , " What are you trying to do ? " Emily stared at the way he protected Jessica , and the ache in her chest hit its peak . Someone once protected her like that , too . She tugged at the corner of her mouth , said nothing , gently wrapped the scorched scraps in her arms , and walked away , one step at a time . п lewwWoemov ན་ ཆད་ རཅད ། ་་་ ་་་ གིས་ A 18 . Wh F = HEt = th Tain 2 67 50 %