Chapter 26 Emma: Guess Whose Leverage This Is?

"What are you doing?"

A sudden voice came from behind. Esther jolted, spinning around to glare at the intruder.

It was Yulinka, a young girl with two blonde braids, who was squinting at her and looking her up and down. "Are you spying?"

"That is my father. Is there a problem with looking at my own father and his new girlfriend?" Esther replied.

Yulinka was taken aback. She hadn't expected this girl to be David’s daughter. If that were the case, she should probably be a bit friendlier.

She flashed a smile. "I'm Yulinka, a student here. Would you like me to show you around the school?"

Esther smiled back. "I’d love to, Yulinka. I’m Esther."

The two walked off together toward the other school facilities. Inside the dormitory building, some of the female students watched this scene with a hint of fear in their eyes. It wasn't Esther they were afraid of...

***

At this very moment, Emma was in Louis's room, undergoing "correction."

It had to be said, Emma was truly stubborn—or perhaps she possessed some kind of antisocial personality disorder. Correcting her was genuinely difficult; after all this time, she refused to yield, at most softening just a little.

"Ah!"

Emma let out a sharp scream, her eyes snapping open as she lunged at Louis with pure hatred.

Louis dodged casually and stuck out a foot.

*Thwack!*

"Heh, is that all?"

"Go back to your punishment."

Seeing that iron fist drawing closer, Emma seemed to have inherited some kind of legendary talent; her face, previously twisted with hatred, suddenly shifted. Tears welled up in her wet, reddened eyes, and her bright gaze was filled with terror.

In a flash of lightning:

"No! I know how to deal with Esther!"

She was gambling, betting on whether her guess was correct.

Louis restricted her, but what about the equally reckless Esther? Besides, it was Louis who had reminded her to find Esther’s weakness in the first place, so...

A few seconds later, Emma’s eyelashes fluttered. She opened her eyes cautiously to see that Louis had pulled back his hand and was looking at her with indifference.

She let out a long sigh of relief. It seemed she had won the bet.

Immediately, she looked up at Louis with teary, pitiful eyes.

Having spent so much time together—and because Louis and she were vaguely similar—she had more or less grasped his pulse: he didn't respond to toughness at all, and as for gentleness, it depended on his mood.

Therefore, in front of this person, it was best not to be too headstrong, stubborn, or threatening, otherwise, it would likely invite retaliation.

"Stop acting pitiful. Speak," Louis said with a cold attitude, though he didn't strike again.

This pitiful display was indeed cute, but unfortunately, he wasn't a lolicon; it didn't work on him. As for Emma guessing that he wanted to deal with Esther, that was only natural—he hadn't hidden it much, and it would be strange if someone with Emma's intelligence couldn't see it.

Emma wiped her tears and dropped her weak facade. "In Esther’s Bible... yesterday at the hotel, I looked up the Saarne Institute. It’s a mental hospital in the small country of Estonia. If we tell her about this, we can easily lure her out."

"When that happens, Louis, you..."

Louis’s eyebrows relaxed. He knew what she was talking about, but he couldn't remember what that institution was—who remembers such details from a movie?

That was why he hadn't used it to threaten Esther until now.

It seemed the time had come.

"Good. You did well."

Louis offered a soft smile and reached out to help Emma up. Feeling her body trembling slightly, he deliberately patted her shoulder.

The smile on his face grew even wider.

"Now, let’s discuss the specific plan."

Looking at Louis, Emma bowed her head deeply.

She felt that this "accomplice" who had escaped from that manor with her seemed similar, but in reality, was fundamentally different. He was like... a cold-blooded adult.

***

In the hallway, after parting ways with Esther, Yulinka was in a great mood. She felt even better when she saw David walk out of the room looking refreshed, with his mother appearing equally flushed behind him.

It looked like Mom had been successful. If that was the case, as long as David agreed and didn't turn out to be a heartless scoundrel, there would be no need to send him to the bottom of the lake.

"Mom, and... Dad?"

Yulinka approached them, boldly testing the waters, her eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny, with malice seemingly hidden within.

David was startled, but a moment later, he answered.

He wasn't an irresponsible man. Everyone knew that clubs or bars were places to resolve physical needs, but when it came to a suitable, serious romantic interest, he couldn't just play and run.

Moreover, in the hour or so they had just spent together, he had gotten to know Jenny reasonably well. He felt she was quite suitable; she had been widowed for a long time, didn't mind moving, and had a gentle personality—well, mostly, she was beautiful and possessed a certain purity.

The only issue was the financial pressure on the family might increase...

Four children, yikes...

Hearing his response, Yulinka smiled even more brilliantly, the malice in her eyes quietly dissipating. She threw herself into David’s arms, not acting like a stranger at all. "Dad!"

David hugged her back.

At this moment, a new family seemed to be nearing completion.

***

At dusk, Esther walked down the hallway. She had just checked the abandoned classroom; it was exactly as described in the rumors—a very good place.

After setting it up a little, it would be perfect for murder and disposing of a body.

As she walked, Esther’s eyes grew increasingly gloomy.

Yulinka!

She and her bitch of a mother actually wanted to enter this family? No! Impossible!

That is my place!

Only I can sleep with David, become the mother of the family, the mistress, the lover, the true woman...

Yulinka, Yulinka... Jenny...

I must get rid of them quickly. David is falling for it. Damn it, if it weren't for this accursed disease, I could do it too!

She quickened her pace, heading toward Yulinka’s dormitory.

Soon, she stood still in front of a room.

She took a deep breath.

The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, her eyes widening a fraction. Her seemingly youthful face was filled with purity. She stood straight, her hands clasped behind her back, and knocked on the door.

*Click.*

Yulinka opened the door.

Their eyes met, and Yulinka stepped out.

She happily accepted Esther’s invitation to play; after all, in a short while, they would be family.

However, she had to borrow some things from her classmates first—like spray paint or a flashlight, things they often used when playing in the abandoned classroom.

Watching Yulinka’s lively, skipping figure, Esther stood there waiting with a smile. Her eyes suddenly darted toward the dormitory. There was another big bitch in there, but no rush. Once she dealt with this easily disposed-of little one, she would take care of the big one!

However.

*Tap, tap, tap...*

Footsteps approached.

Esther turned her head.

Emma appeared from around the corner of the staircase. The moment she saw Esther, she wore a wide, brilliant smile.

As their eyes met, Esther suddenly had a bad premonition.

Emma... how could she come to find her on her own? She hated her enough to kill her!

Something is wrong!

Emma didn't care about her thoughts. She walked over slowly and leaned into her ear. "Dear sister, you've been exposed."

"Is the medicine from the Saarne Institute sweet?"