Rejected Heiress, Reigning Queen novel Chapter 323

Gavin's words caught Emma off guard. Was he hinting that he had insider information for her?

"What does any of that have to do with me?"

Emma hopped off the trampoline, her bare feet sinking into the soft, warm sand.

Gavin smiled warmly. "I just wanted to prove that I'm here with genuine sincerity."

"Is there a restaurant nearby?" Emma asked, turning to Carter.

Carter nodded, pointing down the beach. "There's a live music bar just ahead."

"Let's go."

Emma cast a brief glance at Gavin before heading toward the bar.

Jocelyn, preferring the actual bar atmosphere over sitting outside, went straight inside to order a drink and enjoy the music.

Carter took a seat by the window, his predatory gaze fixed firmly on the two sitting under the patio umbrella outside.

Emma stirred her massive glass of iced fruit juice, her tone nonchalant. "You wouldn't use that kind of information as a bargaining chip for no reason."

"Don't worry. The only reason I know you've been looking into Aunt Pamela's past is because of my uncle. He's a strict, old-school professor who spends most of his time on campus. He isn't the type to gossip about your inquiries."

Gavin was sharp. If Emma was investigating discreetly, she obviously didn't want word getting out.

Emma took a sip of her juice, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me something I actually care about."

"I don't know exactly what you're digging for, but I figured it involved the Lockwoods and Pamela. So, I pulled the student rosters for their class and the entire department from back then."

Gavin unlocked his phone, pulling up a meticulously organized spreadsheet.

Emma's brows lifted slightly. Gavin was as tactful and well-prepared as ever.

"Emma, you know me. Owen's mess is his own. I'm running the York family business now. If you want payback for what he did, go hire someone to beat him up. I'm completely innocent here."

His familiar, affectionate tone brought Emma back to the days before she left the country.

Gavin was around the same age as Logan. Back then, Logan treated Emma like his most prized treasure, and by extension, his entire social circle protected her fiercely.

"But other than Hayden, nobody would actually claim to be his friend. Beneath that polished exterior, Carter is incredibly aloof. He's so detached that he genuinely doesn't care about anyone else's existence."

Emma frowned in confusion. Was that true? She hadn't gotten that impression at all.

Sure, he seemed a bit cold and unapproachable when they first met after her return, but nothing like what Gavin was describing.

"I think he's a true gentleman," she defended.

Hearing that, Gavin flashed a deeply meaningful smile.

"A gentleman? Has it ever occurred to you that you might be the only exception to his rules?"

Emma froze. Was that the case?

Gavin's gaze grew heavy. He stirred his cocktail, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.

"Emma, Carter is the kind of man who never sets foot in clubs or bars. But rumor has it that on the night you returned and broke up with Percy, Carter just happened to be at the scene."