Chapter 120 - Fanned the Flames (2/2)

After finishing their meal, the ladies gathered in the living area to set a spa date in a week's time.

”That's a nice date. I'm not sure if I'll be around by next week because I have a feeling my dad would talk me out into forgiving Wyatt.”

”That's because he needed the army's support for his re-election campaign,” Ava commented. ”Just tell him what he did to you. I'm sure he'll understand.”

Emily scoffed. ”I hope he will but I know he won't. He paraded me to the last state banquet, talking about my engagement with Wyatt. It's difficult to be a daughter. Constantly living by a set of rules you didn't sign up for. Sons can do whatever they please but daughters? Daughters have to be perfect. And at the end of the day, in everybody's eyes, it doesn't matter how much you've achieved in your career. They will all look to the person you married. That's your value. You married this guy? Great. Now go back to the kitchen where you belong.”

”Hey. In my defense, it was a mutual decision from both Ollie and I for me to stop working after we got married.” Ava held her chin up.

”Good for you, you have a choice. What about those women relegated to the sidelines?” Emily briefly glanced at Ava before looking back on her phone screen, searching for flights.

Olivia huffed, still rubbing her temples. ”Everybody has a choice, Emily. Those who say otherwise were just making excuses—they're either lazy or they fear the unknown.”

”What about those who are weak?” Ava wondered.

”Nobody's weak, Ava. We all have our strengths that we just need to tap into. Okay, can we talk about something nicer? This topic is adding weight to my headache. And I will never drink again. Ever.” Olivia inhaled the menthol oil from a vial that Maxen gave her earlier.

”Found it! Found it!” Emily squealed, waving her phone in the air. A wave of thrilling sensation coursed through her veins.

”Oh, that's nice. I can follow you there after the auction.” Olivia zoomed on in the phone, her head swayed like a pendulum when Emily didn't stop waving it.

”That would be nice. I'll send you my itinerary. We can have another girl's slumber parteeeeh.” Emiy's eyes grew big, biting her lips to keep herself from squealing yet again. She looked like a crazed teenager seeing her idol group band for the first time.

”What? I can't see.” Ava craned her neck. Her lips curled up in a sneer when Emily left her out from the details.

”Oh, here.” Emily passed the phone to Ava, her eyes wiggling.

Scanning the website, Ava nodded in agreement. ”That looks exciting, Emily. Is this child-friendly? Maybe Finn can tag along with us.”

”What's exciting?” Oliver asked. He just got back from taking Finn out for a walk in the hotel's garden.

”Emily's going for a backpacking trip in Central America, sweetie.”