Bullying
Bullying
Emilia could clearly hear a few hushed conversations about herself as the four of them moved through the crowd, but she didn't let it bother her too much. Most of these people were still evaluating her 'value', after all.
Unfortunately, arriving with her also made Dixie and Crystal a target of much scrutiny, and there were more than a few 'unpleasant' rumors Emilia could hear flying around.
"Even after obtaining a position of heavy responsibility, some people really keep favoring their old classmates, don't they? I feel sorry for the talented people who must have been set aside instead."
"Now now, don't be so harsh. Most backwater territories don't have many 'talents' to choose from anyway, ahaha."
Of course, while some people were still careful with their words, the companions of certain business people didn't quite have the same level of tact.
"What a vain little thing who likes to surround herself with beauty… as long as it's just slightly inferior to her."
"Thinking about it this way, the poor girls around her serve as nothing but foil, right?"
It was impossible for even Emilia to completely ignore their judgmental glares, especially when most of them were aimed at the 'easiest target', Crystal.
The moment her gaze focused on the women who were blabbering nonsense, however, they immediately froze and clamped their mouths shut.
With her background and strength, they were well aware that someone like Emilia could just stomp up to them and slap them both ways before sauntering off, and all she would get in return would be a light reprimand from her parents and the prime minister… maybe.
"F-Fuck… don't tell me she heard us from all the way over there?!"
"N-No, n-no way, how is that p-possible? S-She just must have looked over here by coincidence. T-That's right."
The two of them stared at each other nervously before nodding once again to assure themselves.
They were practically as far away from the crimson-haired beauty as they could be. If she really heard them, wouldn't that mean she could keep track of every conversation in this giant hall?
What was she supposed to be, Bat-Girl?
Fortunately, Emilia didn't seem to pay much attention to them afterwards, and the two ladies soon completely believed that the previous incident was nothing but their own illusion. "To be honest, although she's vain and hateful, I can't deny that the girl knows how to make herself look good. Any idea what brand she uses?"
The other lady shrugged. "I've wondered many times myself, but there's no way to know. The White Deer has their own in-house cosmetic brand, so it could be that… but it's not really the best in the world, is it?"
"Speaking of which… I heard there were talks between Rejuvina and White Deer about an acquisition, and the leaders of White Deer are so serious that they even moved into Phoenix to properly take care of the deal."
"Wait… is that for real?! B-But if that woman sells of her company, what will she leave for her nephew?"
Even if the prime minister was too busy with politics to take care of the company herself, didn't she already have executives taking care of everything? Plus, selling a top brand like Rejuvina was like slaughtering a chicken that lay golden eggs!
Unfortunately, even if the prime minister had arrived early, they wouldn't have had the guts to go up to her and ask in person.
Emilia lost track of their conversation when she felt a warm palm on her head. "Eh?"
"Silly girl, why are you spacing out? Did Sam bully you these days? Tell me, and I'll teach this disobedient fool a lesson."
The taller girl immediately kicked her father's shin lightly, her face red in embarrassment. "D-Dad! I never bully my baby, and you know it!"
Mr. White sneered, clearly not believing a single word from her mouth, but his wife started reprimanding him before he even had the chance to refute her.
"Don't embarrass the children in front of everyone!"
"I-I wasn't!"
Mrs. White waved his protests away as she leaned forward to squeeze Emilia's cheeks. "Look at my baby, why do I feel like you've become even more adorable now than before? Did you not miss mommy? Look, my skin has been going gray from worry!"
Emilia grinned sheepishly. "I-I might have been too happy having fun with big sister and my girlfriends…"
The older woman squeezed the soft cheeks even harder. "What an unfilial daughter!"
Although she said that, the mother's tone was clearly full of doting and indulgence.
Seeing his wife 'distracted' bullying Emilia, Mr. White quickly took the opportunity to take Sam aside for 'interrogation'. "Okay, it's just the two of us here now. Tell me honestly… you didn't bully your little sister too much, right?"
Sam couldn't help but roll her eyes in exasperation. "Even if you're whispering, the rest of them are just two feet away, dad!"
Mr. White coughed. "N-Nevermind that. I-I was just worried you were hooking up with other little girls again, can't a father worry for his daughter?"
The tall girl bit her lip aggrievedly. "I'm not a horndog, dad!"
Her father just gave her a blank look. "…"
Sam couldn't help but rub her nose in embarrassment. "N-Not all the time!"
Mr. White sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. Dad will believe you this time. Anyway, let me just take you to introduce some old contacts, then. T-This is a good opportunity."
Sam finally breathed a sigh of relief, and seeing how her mother was distracted, she simply waved to Emilia to let her know she will be back soon.
Meanwhile, Mrs. White's attention soon shifted to the two girls by Emilia's side as well. "Ah, Dixie and Crystal, right?"
They weren't surprised that Emilia's mom knew their names, but seeing compliments and praise fly out of her mouth one by one, neither of them could maintain a straight face anymore.
Who could have thought that Emilia's parents not only watched all her videos, but even paid special attention to them?!
Plus, how could she possibly know all their habits and quirks so closely?! There was clearly a spy in their ranks!
Thinking of how she had missed such a thing even with her ability, Crystal couldn't help but be 'terrified'.
Mrs. White sighed happily. "Ah, such adorable children… I'm sure your parents must be proud too. Ah, speaking of which, I would love to meet them someday."
Emilia only chuckled in amusement as she watched both Dixie and Crystal awkwardly try to accept her mother's 'thank you for always taking care of my daughter'.
"I know she's a little spoiled and willful, ah, but you can always complain to me if our Emilia bullies you, you know?"
She didn't say what she would do to straighten out her daughter if needed, but Crystal could pretty much tell that the results might involve Emilia's cheeks being squeezed.
'Isn't she just looking for an excuse to bully Emilia herself?!'
Of course, Crystal didn't dare to say that.
Once she was done teasing the three of them, Mrs. White quickly discovered that her husband was missing… along with her older daughter. "That idiot took her aside to bully her?!"
Incensed, she told the three 'little girls' to take care of themselves before stomping off to 'teach the idiot a lesson', and Emilia couldn't help but light a candle for poor Mr. White.
To be honest, she really couldn't understand why he insisted on always stepping on his wife's toes. Did he really enjoy getting punished all the time?
Unfortunately, her good mood was 'ruined' by an announcement of someone's arrival.
"Please welcome, Amos Black, the heir of the Black Tiger Corporation."
The silver-haired boy strode in proudly, his chin held high as if he didn't put anyone in his eyes.
What really caught Emilia's eyes, however, was the blonde girl in his arms. 'What the hell? Why does she look so much like Crystal?!'
From the shape of her eyebrows to the curve of her lips, the girl may not look like her twin, but no one could deny that her girlfriend's face was almost seventy percent similar to the girl in the arms of the 'hero'!
Even if she were to meet the girl on the streets, Emilia would surely think that they must be distant cousins at the very least.
Although Crystal was right by her side, the crimson-haired girl couldn't help but curse. 'I knew he was obsessed with her, but isn't this just insulting both of them?!'
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