From Forgotten Wife To Fierce Queen - Chapter 107: Chapter 107

"I know you're not stupid. It's not worth it for those two. But what about Rena? That jerk is still Rena's father," Emery said, getting angrier every time she thought about it.
"I have to ask, how did you ever end up marrying that jerk in the first place?" This question had been brewing in Emery's mind for a long time. She always wanted to ask but didn't dare, afraid of upsetting Paisley.
But now that they were talking about it, she finally let it out.
"Well," Paisley teased with a smile. "I mean, he's hot."
Emery rolled her eyes. "You know I'm not talking about that!"
Paisley knew exactly what Emery wanted to hear. After thinking for a moment, she spoke slowly, "You know, I was three when my grandfather found me. I lived under a lot of pressure until I was thirteen.
"For ten years, Grandfather taught me everything he knew, not just the Ancient Medical Arts, but many other things. Like brewing wine, painting... and more.
"During that time, except for the little sleep I got, I spent all my time trying to absorb knowledge. I couldn't afford to slack off.
"Any time I slacked off and was caught by Grandfather, I'd get scolded. He would lock me up on the mountain. No lights, no food.
"I could only come down from the mountain when I could recite all the things he had taught me.
"I lived that way for ten years. Of course, I was grateful. Without him, I might have frozen to death at three or been eaten by a wild animal on the mountain.
"Later, he passed away, he left me a mind full of knowledge, countless books, and a considerable fortune. It was then that I realized he was incredibly wealthy.
"But I was only thirteen or fourteen at the time. He had taught me so much, except how to deal with people and live in a society. A little girl with so much wealth naturally became a target for many people with ulterior motives.
"After facing betrayal and suffering, I began to hide my abilities and wealth. I just wanted to live like an ordinary person.
"Then, with the help of the police, when I was seventeen, I found my parents. The police sent me back to the Sullivan family. I thought they would be happy to find me.
"But it wasn't like that at all. They had Brittany, and they loved her more. Every time I had a conflict with Brittany, they always sided with her. My mother even said through gritted teeth how she wished I had died outside.
"When I first heard her say that, I felt like I was three years old again. Alone on a remote mountain, cold and scared, and the sounds of unknown animals filled the darkness. That feeling of despair returned.
"But there would be no grandfather to come and bring me back this time. So, I chose to leave on my own.
"After I left the Sullivan family, I met Dominick. I was sitting by the side of the road crying, and he was sitting there drinking away his sorrows. I was a rejected orphan with nowhere to go.
"He was about to take the position of the family's head, with so many people waiting to see him fail, trying to trip him up, thinking he couldn't bear the weight of the responsibility.
"And we fell in love like that. Then, when I was twenty, I married him because he said he wanted to give me a home. A home, Emery. You know how much that meant to me back then? A home with the person I loved."
Paisley's expression was calm, a light smile on her face, making it seem like she was telling someone else's story, without any hint of sadness.
"The rest, you already know. Marissa's provocation, Dominick's indifference, Grayson's resistance, and the attitude of the Vanderbilt family toward me.
"All of that made me realize one thing: it's not a home if you're the only one who works hard to maintain it.
"Paisley." Emery stood up with tears in her eyes, walked around the table, and hugged Paisley tightly.
"That jerk Dominick, I want to stab him. I hate him even more now. He married such an amazing person like you and didn't cherish it, always siding with Marissa. Now he regrets it. Why doesn't he just die—"
Emery cried while holding Paisley, not caring if anyone was watching.
Paisley awkwardly pushed her away. "Alright, alright, I'm the one talking about my own story, and I'm not crying. Why are you crying?"
"I'm heartbroken for you! Ah!"
Paisley smiled and wiped Emery's tears. "If I hadn't divorced him, I wouldn't have come to Brightmoor. If I hadn't come to Brightmoor, I wouldn't have met you. We wouldn't have become such good friends."
Emery paused, then stopped crying. Her tears came quickly and went just as fast.
Paisley helplessly pushed Emery away. "Go back to your seat. It's too crowded!"
"Okay." Emery wiped her tears and obediently returned to her seat.
As soon as Paisley calmed Emery down, she received a call from Gregory.
When she saw Paisley frowning at her phone, Emery's curiosity flared up again. "Why aren't you answering? Is it a guy?"
"Yeah, a guy, in his fifties," Paisley replied lazily and finally picked up the call.
"Tthis Friday, I'm hosting a dinner. You should come," Gregory said, skipping pleasantries and going straight to the point.
"Why do you want me to come?" Paisley asked, puzzled. Gregory had always been reluctant to publicly acknowledge their father-daughter relationship and had never taken her out for dinner before. This felt highly suspicious. Gregory definitely had another motive.
"Why are you asking so many questions? I'm your dad, and of course, I'm doing this for your own good. You have to come this Friday, no negotiation!" Gregory's tone was firm, not leaving any room for discussion.
Paisley was already planning to make a move on the Sullivan family, to find out who was behind them and why they were reaching so far, even going to such lengths to get Brittany into her film crew.
"Alright, I got it. Give me the address, and I'll be there."
Gregory's tone softened a little, but he still sounded disdainful, "Make sure you dress properly. No more of those T-shirts and jeans. And watch how you treat Brittany—don't embarrass the Sullivan family!"
Paisley couldn't be bothered to listen to Gregory's rambling, so she hung up the phone.
At the Sullivan family villa, Gregory was furious. "Ungrateful daughter!"
"Dad, we're having dinner with Mr. Vanderbilt on Friday. Do we really need to set up an arranged meeting between my sister and Baron on the same day?" Brittany wasn't too happy with Gregory's plan.
"Yeah, Paisley is just a clueless girl. We don't want her to offend any important people and ruin our company's future and Brittany's chances!" Christina was also displeased.
"You guys don't understand," Gregory's eyes gleamed with determination, "The Jackman family doesn't care about Paisley. They think she's not presentable. I'm using Mr. Vanderbilt's identity to put the Jackman family in their place!
"I want them to know that behind the Sullivan family is the Vanderbilt family. Brittany and Mr. Vanderbilt are a done deal. If Baron ends up marrying Brittany's sister, it will be the Jackman family climbing up the social ladder!"
Christina scoffed, "I think it's Paisley who's trying to climb up, that stupid girl is lucky she even got involved."
Gregory shot Christina a displeased look. "Don't go around calling her a stupid girl. No matter what, she's still our daughter."
Christina's eyes flickered, but she didn't say anything more.