The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1516

If they stalled any longer, they’d miss their chance to post the video when everyone was online. Worse, if the Blair family started digging and found anything, they’d all be in deep trouble.

“Yes,” one of the men muttered, but both of them couldn’t stop stealing glances at Emily’s slim figure. They swallowed, probably thinking it was a shame this idiot was the one in front of them instead of anyone else. They weren’t bold enough to actually touch her, not if it could get them caught, but just looking was already making their night.

The two exchanged glances and moved closer together.

“You want to go first, or should I?”

Emily lay crumpled on the cold, dirty floor. Her cheeks were puffy and red, a smear of blood stained the corner of her mouth. She had spent everything fighting off the simpleton earlier, and the struggle left her bruised all over. Now, she could barely move, so weak she could only wait, powerless, for whatever pain was coming next.

“What are you waiting for?” Adela snapped, her tone icy.

“Yeah,” the man grunted, crouching down. He reached his hands out for Emily’s shirt when suddenly, a noise echoed from the door.

“Someone’s here,” he whispered.

Both men froze, instantly yanking out their guns as they crept toward the door. They cracked it open, peeking out into the yard. Complete darkness. Nothing out there, just the wind stirring the branches.

Maybe they imagined it.

Just as they started to relax and open the door a bit more, gunshots exploded in the quiet night. Two sharp shots, quick and precise. Both men went down before they even had a chance to react, clutching their limbs and shrieking in pain.

Emily tried to lift her head to see them. When she recognized their faces, her eyes filled with tears she couldn’t hold back.

“I’m here. I’ve got you. Don’t be scared,” Kenneth called out. His voice was hoarse and firm. He looked at Emily—her battered face, the stains from all her crying—and his own hands clenched so tight around his gun that it actually creaked.

Emily didn’t have the strength to speak. All she could do was blink at him, but she knew, deep down, they’d come for her. They always would.

“Stay back!” Adela screamed. Her face had gone sheet-white the instant she saw who burst through the door. Kenneth. Anthony.

And… Her gaze locked on Charlotte, standing close beside Anthony. Adela’s eyes shook. Was that Charlotte? Everybody in the industry knew Kenneth’s sister, the music prodigy who was famous everywhere. But standing here, now… Adela didn’t even know what to call her. Was she Charlotte, or should she say J?