Chapter 32 Fight back!

The atmosphere in the room had reached an icy extreme. Alina locked eyes with Vanessa, who regarded her with a serious gaze. Instead of directly answering Vanessa's question, Alina asked, "What did Caleb tell you?"

Vanessa's eyes grew intense and profound as she mentioned, "After your accident three years ago, Max never allowed Caleb back. He has been with that Emma ever since." Pausing briefly, Vanessa's gaze unconsciously shifted towards Alina.

Alina, however, remained indifferent to the involvement between Caleb and Emma. That marriage would have been somewhat unfair to Caleb, and she had initially contemplated waiting until after her grandfather's passing. If Caleb truly had feelings for someone else, she would have set him free. But as time went on, his attitude towards her became ambiguous.

She had anticipated that he would return to his family to sever ties with the past. However, she hadn't expected such a significant conspiracy awaiting her. While she felt sorry for him, she refused to be a pawn for him to manipulate at his will, using her to save the woman outside—especially Emma. As Alina pondered on it, her expression grew colder.

"Alina," Vanessa's voice broke the silence.

Alina snapped back to reality and suddenly addressed Vanessa, "Did you know that Emma was terminally ill three years ago?"

Vanessa's demeanor stiffened noticeably. Alina could clearly see the change in her eyes; it seemed Vanessa had known all along. No wonder she had been determined to eliminate the woman outside Caleb, even when Alina had been oblivious to her true identity. Now it appeared that Vanessa had paid a heavy price to get rid of Emma.

Emma had been genuinely ill for a long time. Alina gazed deeply into Vanessa's eyes and took a deep breath. "Three years ago, when my child was nine months in my womb, Emma was dying, and her bone marrow matched mine. So Caleb forcibly took me to the hospital for a transplant surgery."

Vanessa was shocked. "What are you saying?" Her subconscious grip on the cup almost crushed it.

Alina stood up. "If you investigate, Madam, you will uncover the truth. This is all I can say." With a polite bow, Alina turned away, a cold smile playing at the corners of her mouth.

Why did Caleb keep it hidden from the entire Collins family? It was because Mrs. Collins had a strong hold on Emma back then. At the time, Alina didn't know the true identity of that woman, but she had heard firsthand how her future mother-in-law employed manipulative tactics.

If Caleb dared to employ such tactics against her, he would also have to face the wrath of his mother.

An hour later, Alina departed from Collins Castle, and Caleb received a call from Vanessa. "Hello."

"Come back to Collins Castle right now," Vanessa said angrily.

Caleb glanced at his wristwatch. "I have a meeting in a few minutes."

Vanessa's tone grew colder. "Emma is already here with me. Would you like to speak to her?"

Caleb stiffened, his deep eyes sinking. "I'll be right back." After quickly hanging up, he regained his composure, made a call, and someone answered on the other end. "Mr. Collins."

"Find out where Alina is."

"Yes." Tomas hesitated for a moment before responding.

In the past three years, regardless of any movement between him and Emma, even if there were rumors of their engagement, the Collins Castle had remained inactive. So why was he suddenly summoned to the castle today?

Caleb picked up his phone and scrolled through it. Alina had sent him several messages. This woman, who used to be so quiet three years ago, was now causing trouble.

Tomas acted swiftly and within ten minutes reported back, "Mr. Collins, Miss Hughes left Collins Castle about an hour ago."

As expected, Caleb sneered. "Postpone the meeting."

"Yes."

After returning to Mulherd Manor, Alina began preparing for the grand event in Oklens. As for Caleb's divorce, she believed he would try to force her into it.

Meanwhile, Stella was making swift progress. As news about Caleb's upcoming show for Emma circulated, a certain article gained attention and went viral.

"Emma and Alina Hughes grew up together and have long been supported by the Hughes family."

"The Hughes family nurtured an ungrateful and manipulative person who took advantage of their support and seduced her sponsor's husband."

The story of Emma's past spread through the news, while Caleb's show for her received significant coverage. The entire town of Ingford was abuzz with discussions.

Even the previous rumors about Alina and Andre eloping were instantly debunked. Internet comment sections flooded with remarks like, "Thanks to Mr. Francis, Miss Hughes would have been destitute."

"How did Mr. and Mrs. Hughes raise such an ungrateful and manipulative individual?"

"Was it because of this third party that Miss Hughes filed for divorce from Mr. Collins three years ago, just before marrying Mr. Francis?"

The internet scolded and criticized when it came to the car accident and Alina's alleged elopement with Andre. But now, everything had been turned upside down so quickly.

Alina's phone vibrated, and she answered it. "Stella, you're truly something."

Alina silently gave a thumbs-up to the woman on the other end of the line.

Her original intention was to expose Emma's presence in her house, which would have caused trouble enough. But Stella went further and exposed Emma's financial support from her parents.

"That's right, dealing with a bitch like her requires toughness," Stella spoke confidently on the other end.

While Emma had the energy, Alina needed to find the time to handle her.

"Thanks," Alina said, smiling.

Stella spent the next ten minutes verbally berating Emma and Caleb before hanging up.

For the moment, Alina's world was calm. She could already imagine what was happening with Emma.