Emily caught the comment just as she was walking by.

Emma's face turned ghostly white, but Emily didn't flinch. She just raised an eyebrow, looking perfectly calm.

As Mr. and Mrs. Austin made to leave, Emily called out, "Excuse me, could you wait a second?"

The Austins shot them a cold look, linked arms, and kept walking. They didn't even glance at Emily and Emma, and they definitely weren't interested in stopping.

Emma looked even paler, almost like she might faint.

It was a quiet corner and no one else was paying much attention.

Emily turned to Emma. "Don't you have something to say? Now's your chance."

Emma blinked a few times, nodded, and hurried off, her hands clutching her dress. She wasn't wearing heels just flats-so she managed to catch up with the Austins pretty easily. Mrs. Austin, stuck in high heels, couldn't get away as fast.

"Please, wait! I really need to talk to you. It's important!"

With Emma blocking their way, the Austins had no choice but to stop.

Mrs. Austin looked annoyed, her brow drawn tight. "Get out of my sight. I don't want to see either of you."

Emma looked completely lost, her face drained of any color.

Emily stood just a few steps behind, quietly watching. Emma glanced back at her, and Emily gave her a small nod, kind of like, Go on, say it.

Emma took a shaky breath, then blurted out, "I wanted to tell you... Isabella Austin isn't your real daughter. I know where your biological daughter is."

Mrs. Austin stared at her for a long moment, then let out a cold laugh.

She was suddenly curious, wondering what kind of story a girl raised like Emily Blair would cook up.

This time, instead of snapping, she just smiled and asked softly, "Oh? And where is my biological daughter?"

Her smile was gentle, her voice calm, her whole manner suddenly sweet.

Emma's eyes brightened. She thought Mrs. Austin was finally willing to listen, like she'd broken through at last.

Emily frowned as she watched from behind. Something about this didn't feel right.

Emma tried to keep her excitement down, her lips trembling into a hopeful smile. “I know what I'm about to say might sound unbelievable, but I promise I'm not lying. She really is your biological daughter. If you don't believe me, you can always do a DNA test. You'll see I'm telling the truth."

She kept talking, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Mrs. Austin's patience was wearing thin. "Just say it."

Emma swallowed, her voice trembling. "Your biological daughter... is Emily Blair."

The Austins stared at her. For several long seconds, nobody said anything. A whole minute passed in heavy silence.

Emma was confused. Maybe she hadn't spoken loudly enough. She raised her voice and repeated, "Your real daughter is actually Emily Blair."

The words had barely left her mouth when Mrs. Austin's whole expression changed. The warmth and kindness vanished, replaced by a look of pure rage. Her voice came out sharp and cutting.

"Shut up!"

Emma jumped, her shoulders shaking as she stared at Mrs. Austin in shock.

Mrs. Austin's face was stormy, her eyes burning with hatred. She glared at Emma like she wanted to tear her apart.

"So this is your little plan with Emily Blair?" she spat, her words forced out through clenched teeth, every syllable laced with disgust.

Emma was terrified, her mind blank. It took her a few seconds to raise her hands, waving frantically. "No, it's not like that! I'm telling the truth-"

"Do I look stupid to you?" Mrs. Austin's voice was low and cold, every word grinding out between her teeth.

She looked at Emma and Emily like she could barely stand the sight of them. The hatred in her eyes was so deep, it looked like it hurt.

Emma shook her head over and over. “No, really, I swear, I'm telling the truth...”

Mr. Austin was scowling now too. "You still want to lie to us?"

Emily just stood there, silent, watching everything unfold.

Mrs. Austin looked like she was barely holding herself back, her nails digging into her palm.

"Isabella is dead and you still won't let her rest? You pushed her to her death, and now you're trying to take her place? You want Emily Blair to become my daughter, to steal everything Isabella should have had?"