The Billionaire And His Son Want Me Back (Paisley)

Chapter 17

"Paisley." Brittany's voice was laced with false pity, her expression one of barely-

contained amusement, as if looking at some stray dog. "Don't be in front of me and Mom. I know you're upset that Mom wanna buy me this gown. It's okay. I don't want it anymore."

Christina's face was as cold as ice, her eyes narrowing as the crowd around them began to notice the tension. Her gaze was practically burning through Paisley. "Get out of here, do you hear me? Stop embarrassing yourself." Before Paisley could respond, a voice rang out, cutting through the tension

like a knife. "What's going on here? What's all this fuss about?"

Emery appeared, draped in a stunning gown of her own, hands on her hips. She stormed up, pushing Brittany aside with a firm shove, and stood next to Paisley, glaring daggers at Christina and Brittany. "You two are causing a scene in my shop?" Christina and Brittany, caught off guard by Emery's presence, managed to rein in their irritation, their tone shifting to something more polite almost syrupy sweet-

as they turned to her. After all, they still wanted the gown

"Ms. Collins, Christina began, her voice smooth and practiced, "my daughter would really love this gown. We're willing to pay anything for it." She stepped forward, pulling Brittany along with her, eager to make hier introduction to Emery, But before they could

get any closer, Emery raised a single hand, halting them several feet away, her gaze scanning Brittany from head to toe like a machine.

She clicked her tongue, shaking her head in mock disapproval. "This gown is custom-

made for my best friend, Paisy. Your

daughter's shaped like a teenage boy. She doesn't exactly strike me as someone who'd be able to pull it off. You

think she's worthy of wearing something I made

With a flourish, Emery mimicked the way Brittany had held onto Christina earlier, looping her arm around Paisley's. "Sorry, Paisy, she said with

exaggerated sweetness. "I wasn't paying attention, and it seems some cockroaches have decided to crawl in. Sorry if they've grossed you out." Paisley bit her lip, trying

ng not to laugh at Emery's ruthless wit. When she starts g getting sarcastic, she really doesn't hold back.

At the humiliation, Christina's face turned bright red with fury, her mouth hanging open in disbelief as she glared at Emery and sputtered, her voice trembling with indignation. Paisley. You..." she

Brittany, on the other hand, wood, frozen, shocked. 1 can't believe it. Paisley is actually friends with Ms. Collins? The realization hit her like a cold slap. It seemed like everything slieknew about the situation had just been turned upside down. Emery wasn't fazed in the least, her expression cool and dismissive as she shot back, "What are you still standing around for?

"You're waiting for me to kick your asses, or what? Her voice was thick

with irritation, and she didn't care one bit that other customers in the store could hear

"You're kicking us out? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my daughter is Christina's voice was sharp, but beneath her arrogance, there was a tinge of vulnerability. This was the first time anyone had dared to

treat her like this, and she was seething,

Emery's eyes gleamed with amusement as she dismissed Christina

with a wave of her hand. "I don't care who you are. Get out, or I have security escort you out." Her words were cutting, and the disdain in her tone was palpable.

The crowd around them had only grown, with several people now filming the scene on their

phones. Brittany, eager to avoid further embarrassment, tugged at Christina's arm and whispered urgently, "Mom, let's just go. We don't need this."

Brittany had landed a leading role in a major production, and Christina, fully aware of how important this moment was for her daughter's career, reluctantly conceded.

Before they left Christina shot our last venomous look at Paisley. "You can forget about ever coming back to our family. We'll never accept you." "Pift. Shut up already, you pathetic wretch Emery muttered, as if Christina and Brittany were nothing more than a bad smell. She She then the turned to the cleaning staff, ordering them to wipe down the store again, as though the place had been tainted.

Paisley couldn't help but chuckle at Emery's fire, but at the same time, she felt a warmth in her chest. "Alright, enough of thut, Paisley said, trying to suppress

her unile "Wan't this supposed to be our lunch date! We should go eat."

"Let's go, l'in starving, Erry said, pulling Paisley toward the door. But just then, Paisley's phone rang.

Paisley glanced at the screens Rena's kindergarten, she muttered under her breath, her stomach sinking

She answered the call and then froze, her face slowly losing all color as she listened to the voice on the other end.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to my goddaughter? Did she get bullied" Emery's voice was sharp with worry, her concern obvious

Paidey shook her head, her voice still in shock. "No, no. It's not that. Kena's been in a fight. She hit two other kids"

The kindergarten had called to ask her to come in and sort things out.

The lunch they had planned was never meant to be. As she walked Paisley out

of the store, Emery couldn't stop praising. "My goddaughter is amazing, so touch"

Paisley, however, was anything but amused. Her nerves were tight

with worry as she hurried to her car, quickly starting the engine and speeding off toward the kindergarten. Every second felt like it counted, and she couldn't shake the concern gnawing at her