Blurred Lines: A Reverse Harem, Dad's Best Friends Romance (The Why Choose Haremland)

33. Emily

The vineyard shimmers under the afternoon sun, the air heavy with the sweet scent of crushed grapes. Beside me, Floras face is a picture of fierce determination.

Ive got it, she whispers, a grimy smudge on her cheek. Take a look.

My heart leaps as she holds out a plastic baggie, a clump of dirt cradled inside. Not just any dirt—a shade too dark and with an unmistakable chemical tang.

Someones been messing with the soil, she explains, her voice brimming with barely contained excitement. Right around the drainage pipes, see? This could explain the root damage.

My mind races. Drainage sabotage at the heart of our family vineyard? Its the confirmation weve been desperate for, a lead in the shadowy dance Ive been caught in with Alec and Verona.

Miles and Brody, our makeshift detective squad, huddle closer. Tensions run high as they tell me about the security cameras they installed, and what they found. There was the blurry silhouette of a figure tampering with the drainage system in the dead of night.

We had to track down this creep, Miles growls, his knuckles whitening as he clenches his fists. Whoever they were, they were working for someone … someone powerful enough to pull these strings.

We exchange glances, the name unspoken but hanging heavy in the air—Verona.

We tailed this guy on the fourth night, Brody says, a steely edge to his voice. And boy was it one hot ride.

Flora nods proudly. You were in NYC at the time. We followed the faintest of trails—scuffed shoe prints, a crumpled energy drink can—it was a desperate chase through the winding backroads of the estate. I almost gave up, and then finally …

Miles chimes in. We spotted him; a hunched figure vanishing into a tangle of old oaks. He was surprisingly fast, fueled by panic, but we were relentless, gaining on him with every stride. The mans downfall came with a stumble, bless his heart. He went down like a baby refusing bedtime.

Come on, Flora nudges me, pointing to the vineyard managers office. In there.

Im so nonplussed I still havent found the right words, so I tail behind the team. There, in the office, sits a scraggly boy, his face gaunt with fear. I swear I didnt do anything on my own, he says as soon as he sees us. Please, please dont put me in jail.

Alright, punk, Miles booms. Start talking and maybe well be lenient. Who do you work for? And why are you destroying this familys land?

To my shock, the man crumbles instantly. Tears streak his dirt-covered face as he blubbers, I-Ill tell you everything! AgriCorp hired me, but I was working for one of their shareholders. Its her—Verona Martin … she paid me! Shes the one behind it all!

My stomach clenches. We knew it, but hearing it confirmed is a big, big vindication. Can you prove it? Flora asks.

Yes, I have the paper trail of her payments, he says immediately. I can call her here too, he continues, blubbering as he speaks. I can say Im at the office of the vineyard manager, and Im alone.

Why would she come to help you? I ask scornfully.

I—

Its worth a shot, Flora says, although she sounds doubtful. Go on, then. And make sure to threaten her. Shell come if it means she needs to finish you off.

But I?—

Dont worry about it, she snaps. No one is going to kill you.

The boy types a message with trembling hands. Then, we wait. An hour goes by.

Suddenly, Brody hisses, Heads up! Footsteps crunch through the dry leaves as reinforcements arrive. Two burly men in mirrored sunglasses—Veronas goons.

Well take it from here, boys, one of them grunts, reaching for the sniveling intruder.

An idea sparks in my head, a risky one, but born of desperation. Wait! Floras voice rings out, a tremor of feigned uncertainty in it. We, uh … we have evidence. Proof that your boss is behind all this. Theres a paper trail. You cant save her.

The sunglasses men pause. One of them speaks in a low growl. Look, kids, this aint your business. You back off now, we forget this ever happened.

Before I can even form a retort, the other sunglasses-clad man lunges forward. His hand flashes towards his waistband, a glint of steel catching the light.

Everybody down! he roars, the gun leveling at us, shattering the rooms stiff silence.

Instinct takes over. Time distorts as I throw myself to the ground, a heartbeat before the first shot rings out. Chaos erupts as Flora screams and Miles tackles the intruder. The room descends into a maelstrom of violence.

I scramble for cover, my heart pounding a deafening rhythm. Theres a sickening thud and a groan as one of the goons goes down. Brody has somehow disarmed him with a jarring twist and a flurry of moves.

Suddenly, the front door bursts open. Caeleb, Silas, and Finn stand there, a grim determination in their eyes. Flora calls out, voice shrill. Guys, I messaged you an age ago!

Fifteen minutes ago, Silas retorts. We got here as soon as we could.

Drop the weapon! Caeleb commands, his presence filling the room. Your employer cant protect you now. Any more moves and well have half of Emberton on your tail.

The goon hesitates, the gun wavering in his hand. Silas seizes the opportunity, lunging forward and knocking the weapon from his grasp. A brutal hand-to-hand fight ensues, Silass focused strength against the goons flailing desperation.

Each blow, each cry echoes through the room. The intruder lies cowering on the ground, forgotten as Miles pins the second goon with surprising ferocity. Its ugly, desperate, and exhilarating.

And then, its over. The goons are disarmed and bound, their arrogant facade crumbling into fear. In the breathless aftermath, theres only the pounding of my pulse and a ringing silence.

Before the lull can settle, footsteps echo. That distinctive click of heels announces Veronas arrival, Alec trotting meekly behind her.

Emily, darling, she purrs, her voice sickly sweet even with the undercurrent of panic. What is the meaning of this ruckus?

Your games end here, Verona, I say, my voice steady. Your treachery is laid bare—the sabotage, the payments, the whole twisted scheme.

Verona pales, but her eyes flash with defiance. You have no proof …

On the contrary, I counter, a triumphant smile spreading across my face. I gesture towards the cowering intruder, surrounded by my capable team, and the discarded phone with its damning evidence.

The realization crashes over Verona. Her facade crumbles, replaced by raw fury. Alecs eyes widen, his usual arrogance gone. Its a picture of delicious defeat, a victory savored.

While she stammers out denials, my mind is already buzzing with the next move. Because this isnt over, not by a long shot. I knew Alec posed his own threat, the darling of social media with his legions of adoring followers. We needed a countermeasure, some leverage.

And it seems Flora had that ace up her sleeve. She brushes the dust off her shoulders. Speaking of hidden things … she murmurs, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Emily, I believe I found something else of interest on Mr. Alecs social media.

My heart quickens. What has clever Flora uncovered? Before I can ask, she continues, A little … artificial boost to his follower numbers, shall we say? Not quite the organic rise of a true influencer.

My lips curl into a smile. This is ammunition, the weapon I need to level the playing field. With this revelation, Alecs carefully crafted image is vulnerable, hanging by a thread.

You should come into the mansion, I tell my stepmother and half-brother, a pleasant smile on my lips. I dont want this to be too ugly and out in the open, unlike some people.

They follow without complaint, letting me lead them to the living room.

The room crackles with a new dynamic. The power has shifted. I meet Veronas gaze, now alight with panic. She knows her schemes are unraveling, the consequences looming large. As for Alec, his face has drained of all color, the carefully curated persona replaced by a stark fear. He has much to lose now. A delicious sense of anticipation fills me.

So, I begin, my voice a deceptively calm purr. Lets recap. You, Verona, have tried to sink my family business. Your motive? Greed, envy, a pathological need for control, who knows? I shrug, feigning indifference. And you, Alec.

I turn my attention to the deflated social media star, a smirk playing on my lips. Turns out your meteoric rise was fueled by fakery. Bots and bought followers—not quite the influencer you wanted us to believe, were you?

Alec blusters and stammers, denying everything, but his pale face tells a different story.

Enough! Verona hisses, a veneer of composure clinging to her as she straightens her designer dress. You have no proof of anything.

Proof? Flora chimes in, her eyes blazing. Like those emails detailing your instructions to sabotage the irrigation? Or those bank transfers to our little weasel friend here? She shoves the cowering intruder forward, his face a mask of terror.

Veronas icy facade cracks. You resorted to blackmail to get him to talk!

We did what we had to, I counter, feeling a surge of power as I stand my ground. To protect whats ours, to expose your treachery.

Suddenly, a flashbulb of defiance ignites in Veronas eyes. Oh, Emily, you think this is over? You may have bested us today, but I have resources, connections … Ill make you regret this.

Bring it on, I retort, a grin spreading across my face. I thrive on a challenge.

Before she can unleash another threat, the unexpected happens. Caeleb, Finn, and Silas step forward, forming a wall of quiet strength behind me and Flora.

Your reign of terror ends here, Verona, Caeleb declares, his low voice resonating with authority. Youve crossed the line for the last time.

Miles and Brody flank Alec, who is shrinking back, his veneer of online cool gone.

Out, Finn commands, gesturing with a dismissive flick of the wrist. Youre not welcome here. Your tomfoolery ends here. Well handle any fallout.

To my surprise, Alec doesnt argue. Head bowed in a pantomime of shame, he shuffles away, his exit punctuated by the click of expensive shoes on marble.

I savor the moment, a rush of satisfaction washing over me. But as the last of Alecs retreating form disappears, focus returns. Verona still stands defiant, her eyes narrowed in calculating fury.

This isnt over, she snarls, Ill?—

Cut it out, Verona, Silas interrupts, his voice rough with disgust. Youve played your hand, and youve lost. Do everyone a favor—crawl back into whatever rock you came from and lick your wounds.

Her shoulders slump, the fight gone from her. Mark my words, girl, she mutters, fixing me with a glare. This will come back to haunt you. With a theatrical sweep of her skirts, she turns and storms from the room. Brody gives me a grin. Miles and I will make sure they dont change their minds.

With that, the two of them tail behind the departed.

The silence that follows is almost deafening. Flora and I exchange grins, exhausted but triumphant. This is a victory, however temporary, and I intend to enjoy it.

Stay for a late lunch? I ask the room.

Caeleb clears his throat, breaking the spell. Emily, youve handled yourself more than admirably. You dont need us anymore. Well get going.

Besides, Caeleb adds, our primary job was to expose Verona and clip Alecs wings. The messy aftermath? Thats all yours.

Just … just one thing, I say softly. A picture. All of us together. Me, and you three.

The men exchange puzzled glances but agree. Flora retrieves my phone, and within moments, were huddled together, strange bedfellows united in an unlikely cause.

The camera flashes.

Why? Silas asks, once Flora has pocketed the device. Why the picture?

My lips quirk upwards. Oh, youll see. Just … trust me.