Slowly, Ruby walked up to her mother and tugged at her sleeves gently, her voice low and deliberate. She really had to put off this tension and win this man's heart.
"Mom, remember he's still a guest?" she murmured, subtly casting a glance at Emily.
Then, turning to face her sister with a faux-sweet expression, Ruby added, "Emily, you wouldn't take it to heart, right? Mom is just worried about you."
She spoke in a tone laced with concern, but her eyes betrayed her. While pretending to console and straighten out the misunderstanding, she sent a subtle wink in Lucian's direction—blatantly.
Emily caught it. So did Lucian.
Pauline, unbothered by the performance, waved her hand dismissively. "Why bother if she takes it to heart? She's still the daughter of this family," she sneered coldly, her eyes barely flicking toward Emily.
With that, Pauline turned and walked back to her seat.
