Emily Blair said nothing.

The older man's frown deepened. "What's wrong with you people? Don't you parents know what just happened to your own child? That's absolutely irresponsible."

Isabella Austin was already feeling a flash of irritation, but she managed to keep her tone gentle. "He ran off so quickly just now, we couldn't keep up. We honestly have no idea what happened."

The man clicked his tongue in exasperation.

"That's all the more reason you should be thanking this young lady. I've been watching the whole time your kid nearly fell, and it was this woman who found a rope and helped us pull him back up. If not for her, your son would probably be in the hospital right now if you were lucky. Otherwise, you'd all be crying in a hospital room, not just him."

Isabella looked at him, almost not daring to believe it. “Really? Emily...you saved Dennis?"

Dennis Lane, wise beyond his years, quieted down at the man's words. He wiped at his tears with the back of his hand.

Andrew Lane had his eyes on Emily Blair.

Emily knew it, but she had no interest in meeting his gaze.

Andrew's voice came out low and steady. "Emily Blair, was it you who saved Dennis?"

Emily replied evenly, "Do you not believe me, Mr. Lane?"

The older man clapped his hands together. "It was her, no doubt about it. I saw her throw the rope myself. And with a face like hers, I'd never mistake her for anyone else."

Mr. Parker came over as well. "It was Ms. Blair, I was there too. There's no mistake."

The small crowd that had gathered-some who'd watched, others who'd helped- chimed in, one after another. “Yes, it was her. She saved the boy, that's for sure."

Dennis fell completely silent, clinging quietly to Andrew Lane's neck, holding on without another word.

Andrew kept his gaze fixed on Emily, and after a moment, he said, in a deep voice, "Thank you."

Emily smiled softly.

Reading the room, Isabella Austin quickly stepped forward, taking Emily's hand warmly. Her voice was gentle, almost intimate. “Emily, I'm so sorry—I honestly didn't know. But I'm truly grateful. Thank you for saving our son. When Dennis got into trouble, all I could do was cry, but thankfully, there were good people around to help us. I don't know what I would have done otherwise."

Emily found Isabella rather amusing.

Even with all eyes on them, Isabella hadn't forgotten her little games. She made a point of emphasizing "our son" every time she spoke, as if to constantly remind Emily of the bond between herself and Andrew Lane.

Emily gently slipped her hand from Isabella's grasp and smiled. "There's really no need to thank me."

For a split second, Isabella's expression stiffened, but she quickly recovered her composure. "Of course I need to. How could I not?"

Then Emily said, almost offhandedly, "Actually, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you, Mrs. Lane."

Isabella's tone was sweet. "Go ahead, tell me anything. If I can help, I will. Although...if you're talking about the rights to Black and White Rabbit, I'm afraid I can't help there. You know, after all, it's something special between Andrew and me."

Emily watched as Isabella's cheeks flushed the more she spoke. Emily's lips curled into a subtle smile.

"It's not that,” Emily replied. "This is something only you can answer."

Isabella nodded. "Alright, go ahead.”

Emily glanced at Mr. Parker. “I was just talking with Mr. Parker about something. It concerns you."

Isabella's smile faded a touch.

So, she'd figured it out.

Emily continued smiling. “Mr. Parker told me you kindly warned him that I'd

plagiarized before, that I was someone of questionable character, and suggested he not sell the rights to the arcade to me."