Chapter 486

Emily Lowell's drunken haze vanished instantly.

She stared at the servant delivering the message, brows furrowing slightly. Shouldn't the Lowells be dealing with the press conference fallout? Why would they come looking for her now?

Her fingernails dug unconsciously into her palms. She took a deep breath. There was no avoiding this confrontation.

Adjusting her shawl, Emily descended the staircase with practiced grace.

Curious glances followed her from the mingling guests in the grand hall. She forced a perfect smile toward the Lowells standing at the center.

"Father, Mother, brothers... what brings you here so suddenly?"

"How dare you ask?" Richard Lowell's face darkened, his voice low but razor-sharp.

Emily's smile froze. The surrounding stares prickled her skin like needles.

"Father, this isn't the place." She softened her tone. "Shall we speak in the parlor?"

Richard's chest heaved with suppressed rage. He knew better than to air dirty laundry in public. With a cold snort, he turned on his heel.

As Nathan moved to follow, Emily caught his sleeve lightly.

"Not you, Nathan." Her eyes glistened faintly. "This is family business."

Nathan nodded agreeably, relief flashing in his gaze.

The moment the Lowells departed, whispers rippled through the ballroom.

"Aren't you going after them, Mr. Cunningham?" someone prodded.

Ryan Cunningham swirled his champagne glass with detached amusement. "Family matters require discretion."

"Here to reclaim the research data, perhaps?" another voice interjected.

Ryan merely smiled, tracing the rim of his glass. What's swallowed is never spit out.

The parlor door had barely closed when Richard slammed his palm against the table.

"You stole Dr. Quincy's core data for the Cunninghams!"

Emily recoiled half a step. Of course she knew its value—why else would Ryan covet it so desperately?

"The Cunningham project needed those findings..." Her voice dwindled to a murmur.