Chapter 78: Something About the Timing

Emerald’s POV

I woke up this morning with a strange sense of excitement.

It took me a few seconds to remember why. Then I glanced at the clock beside my bed and smiled.

Today was the day I was having lunch with Michael.

I immediately pushed the thought aside and got out of bed. There was no reason to make such a big deal out of it. It was only lunch, after all.

Still, I couldn’t deny that I had been looking forward to it.

Yesterday evening, I had even gone out to do a little shopping because I wanted something nice to wear. I hadn’t bought anything extravagant, but I had spent far more time than necessary deciding what would be appropriate.

I had eventually settled on an outfit and brought it back to the dorm.

Now, as I stood in front of my wardrobe deciding what to wear, I caught myself smiling again.

"It’s just lunch," I muttered.

My phone rang before I could continue arguing with myself. I glanced at the screen and saw the incoming WhatsApp group call from Claire and Laura.

I answered. "Good morning."

"Emerald!" Laura’s voice came through almost immediately. "Have you heard what happened?"

I frowned. "What happened?"

There was a brief silence, then Claire spoke next. "You really haven’t heard?"

"No." I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Laura sounded almost too eager to tell me. "That betrayer, Maya, was involved in an accident a few days ago."

My hand stopped midway through reaching for one of my clothes. "What?"

"An accident," Claire repeated. "She’s in the hospital."

I stared at my phone silently. Honestly, I didn’t know what to say. Regardless, Laura was already speaking again.

"I’m sending you the articles. Read them yourself."

A few seconds later, several links appeared in the group chat. I opened the first link. The headline immediately caught my attention. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

’Maya Fox Hospitalised Following Road Accident Near Mercer Technologies.’

I read the article carefully.

According to the report, Maya had been crossing the road when she was struck by a vehicle. She had sustained several injuries and was taken to the hospital, where she remained under observation.

I opened another article. It carried essentially the same information.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds after finishing. Maya. Of all the things I expected to hear this morning, this wasn’t one of them.

"She really got injured?" I asked.

"Yes," Laura replied. "And apparently Kelvin was there when it happened."

My eyes narrowed slightly. "He was there?"

"That is what one of the reports says," Claire answered. "He was apparently at the café nearby when it happened and followed her to the hospital."

I looked back at the article.

The information wasn’t enough to tell me exactly what had happened between Maya and Kelvin before the accident, and I had no intention of inventing answers where I didn’t have any.

Still, the timing was interesting.

Based on a few hypotheses, I already had a feeling that Maya had been dealing with the consequences of everything that had happened between her, Kelvin and me.

Kelvin had already agreed to the three-per cent settlement, and I knew from my lawyers that the matter had been formally concluded.

So, whatever thing that was going on between them before the accident was none of my business.

Laura suddenly laughed. "You know what? Karma has finally started raining on that bitch."

"Laura," Claire warned.

"What?" Laura protested. "After everything she did to Emerald, am I supposed to cry?"

I shook my head. "I no longer care that much about it, but don’t celebrate someone being injured."

Laura went quiet for a moment, then said, "Fine. I’m just saying that life has a funny way of dealing with people."

I didn’t respond. My eyes were still on the article.

There was something about the entire situation that bothered me, though I couldn’t quite explain what.

Maya’s accident had happened during this phase of the lawsuit settlement. Was it simply an unfortunate coincidence?

Probably.

There was nothing in the articles that suggested otherwise, and I wasn’t about to start creating theories based on timing alone.

I locked my phone and placed it on the bed. Whatever had happened to Maya, it was no longer my problem.

I had already done what I needed to do.

I had taken control of the lawsuits, recovered the three per cent of Mercer Technologies that belonged to me, and established the holding company Michael had advised me to create.

My attention needed to remain on what came next.

And, whether I wanted to admit it or not, there was something else I was looking forward to that day.

Lunch with Michael.

I glanced toward the clothes I had chosen for the afternoon and shook my head at myself. I really needed to stop thinking about it so much.

It was just lunch.

---

By the time my last class ended, it was only around 11:30 a.m., which gave me enough time to return to my dorm before lunch.

I drove back, freshened up, and changed into the gown I had readied.

This time, I put a little more effort into my appearance than I normally do on a regular day at school.

I applied only a small amount of makeup, put on a pair of simple earrings and a slim leather wristwatch, then lightly sprayed my perfume.

I let my hair fall freely down my back before slipping into my stilettos.

After taking one final look at myself in the mirror, I picked up my purse, car keys, and the documents Michael had asked me to bring.

I was ready.

I locked my dorm room behind me and walked toward the parking lot. Just before getting into my Jeep, I took out my phone and sent him a quick message.

"I’m on my way to the restaurant."

Then I slipped the phone back into my purse, opened the driver’s door, and got inside.

For some reason, I found myself smiling as I started the engine.

I was actually more excited about this lunch than I wanted to admit.