"Dad, why would you do this? What is the point in making Eric and me literally compete for the company?" Emma was shaking with anger, while desperately trying to make her father see some sense.

"It wasn't just my decision, Eric's father agrees too. It's just to ensure that it goes to whoever deserves it the most. And just between us dear... I don't think Eric is fit to take over the company," Emma's father put a sympathetic arm around his daughter, trying to calm her down.

Emma's face turned Red, but before she could say anything, her father's phone started ringing and gesturing that he'll be back in a few minutes, he was gone. Emma's resentment for her father only grew at this, even at this moment work came first for him.

As soon as her father left the dining room, Emma gestured wildly to her mother, "What the hell?" She shouted at her mother, hands flying to show her frustration. She started pacing the room erratically, trying to channel her irritation into the activity.

"You know he is right, your father. Eric is... well, he's too irresponsible, to put it mildly. That boy barely gets any time from partying around! I don't even know how you are still friends with him," Emma's mother stopped her by putting both her hands firmly on her shoulders, leading her to the sofa.

"Listen to me, Emma. Your father has invested a lot of blood and sweat into making the company what it is today," she breathed in deeply, "I cannot see it go into the hands of someone who's not even interested, okay? Please, promise me you'll try your best to own this company?"

"Mom, you don't understand-"

"Emma, please. I'm begging you. I-I don't know what I'd do if you don't inherit it. Please, for your parent's sake," her mother was desperate now, holding both of Emma's hand in her own, squeezing them. "Do anything you have to do to achieve it."

Emma looked at her mother's desperate eyes, her wrinkles had become more prominent, her usually red lips were almost bare of any color now, her statement diamond jewelry was replaced with elegant pearls now, giving her a more graceful appearance. Simply put, her mother was getting old. And she could not bear to make her upset.

But how could she tell her? Tell her that the decision was already made? The result of which didn't favor her at all. There were only two ways it could be reversed. One, that Eric gives it up himself, but why would he give up the rights to a multi-national business to anybody else?

And two, Eric dies and the company goes to her indefinitely, without question...

"Anything?" Emma asked her mother after much thought.

"Anything," her mother nodded, her smile wavering slightly.

Emma was in the common room, sitting by the fireplace, taking little comfort in feeling the warmth from the steaming mug of coffee in her hand. She had tried to sleep in her room, but couldn't. She couldn't even bear to be on the same floor, the Christmas tree haunted her whenever she passed by it, so she set up camp in the common room, away from the gut-wrenching memories.

She thought back to the conversation with her mother again, how funny is it, she thought bitterly, that Eric had to die for me to get the company, and now he is. Dead. She'll be the sole owner of the company in a matter of a few weeks, but at what cost?

"Hey, Emma! Just the person I was looking for," Levi startled Emma, making her bolt upright, the movement sloshing the scalding coffee on her hand, marking its territory there.

"You scared me," Emma said weakly, too tired to even muster her signature glare. The lack of sleep had her nerves on edge, even the slightest of movements made her jump. Just moments ago she was drinking her coffee and listening to the howling winds outside, when had Levi crept up on her? Surely, she must have heard him coming, right? What does he want though?

"You were looking for me? But why?" She finally asked him, placing her mug on the table and cleaning herself up.

"Oh, just some questions," Levi waved his hand, "You know I've been appointed to this case, right?"

Emma nodded, remembering how mildly annoyed she was when Anthony had come storming from the library, dropping this news on her, leaving even before she could get a word in.

"Can we make this quick? I'm too tired to even think," she said to Levi with hopeful eyes.

Levi knew Emma wasn't lying when she said that. Her hair was up in a messy bun, eyes visibly tired and Red from the lack of sleep. She hadn't even changed her clothes, and this fact was very concerning to Levi. In the two days that he had been here, Levi could swear that he had seen Emma in more outfits than what was considered normal, and from his earlier deductions of her, he knew how well-groomed she kept herself.

"As soon as I get what I'm looking for, I'll leave you to rest," Levi smiled at her, mentally preparing for the interview.

"And what is it, that you are looking for?" Emma asked, slightly more alert now.

"I don't know," Levi shrugged nonchalantly, "I'll know when I hear it," he said smirking. "Tell me everything about your friendship with Eric, starting from when you met."

"Okay... well, we met when we were toddlers, grew up in the same neighborhood, went to the same school... I've been with him my entire life," Emma sighed, thinking back to all the good times she had shared with Eric and Anthony.

"Our fathers founded a company together, almost 35 years ago now. I was born into a decent enough neighborhood but then as the company's success skyrocketed, we shifted to upscale New York, where Anthony was already living. From then on we three were inseparable, still are..." Emma sighed and rubbed her temple. What a mess.

"Ah, yes! The company!" Levi sat upright, his eyes shining, "Sorry for the intrusion, it was necessary so I asked Robert what you guys had talked about in the kitchen while you were making the drinks. He mentioned something about inheriting the company..." he trailed off, waiting for Emma to finish his sentence.

"Oh, it's a rather stupid affair really. The company's ownership and most shares were to go to one person only, and the decision was between Eric and me when we were both to turn 28. I was against the whole idea, my parents on the other hand..." Emma's face suddenly fell, and turned to face the fireplace, "Well, let's just say they weren't too happy with me when I told them I wouldn't be competing against him, he was my childhood friend after all!"

"Wouldn't, or couldn't?" Levi asked, his eyes narrowed, sensing there was more to the story than she was letting on. Nobody would leave such an opportunity for a friend, no matter how dear.

Emma's eyes shot straight to Levi's. Damn, he is good. She cleared her throat before continuing, "Couldn't. The board of directors had already decided on Eric. Their excuse was the most pathetic one I'd ever heard, that a man was far more fit for the job than a woman, some nonsense about women being too emotional," she rolled her eyes, bastards.

"So a multi-national, multi-billion company was Eric's, just like that?" Levi's eyebrows shot upwards as he fell back into the plush seat, a look of astonishment on his face, "That must have been terrible for you. I'm sure there was a lot of resentment?"

"Y-Yes," Emma had hesitated before admitting. How much should I share? "My parents don't know, but they would definitely flip if they find out," Emma bit her bottom lip before continuing, "They weren't really fond of Eric. Thinking he was too irresponsible and that he didn't even care for the company," she sighed deeply, "Doesn't matter now, does it?" her eyes watered slightly.

"Well isn't this convenient, Eric dies just months before you turn 28, don't make that face, Robert told me this too, but my oh my..."

"I know how this looks for me, but I would never hurt Eric-"

"Save it, please, don't make me listen to it. Every killer profusely refuses to have committed the crime first. Makes my job much, much harder," Levi let out a frustrated sigh, he was in no mood for games, "Moreover, didn't you want the interrogation to be quick? On to the next question, was your friendship with Eric completely platonic?"

Emma was still reeling from his previous statement about killers when he threw the next question at her, completely taking her by surprise. She had not expected him to be so straightforward, so blunt, and whatever biting response she had on her tongue shriveled up and died.

"We were just friends, nothing more," she answered between clenched teeth.

"Gosh! You're all so boring aren't you?"

"Excuse me?" Emma could barely hold herself together now. The audacity...

"You're all single! How is that possible?"

Emma's hand was burning now, burning to feel itself slap against Levi's face, only then would it settle down, taking comfort in the sting that accompanied it. Needing to throw something back at him, she declared without thinking, "Not all of us!"

"Oh... really?" Levi smirked, clearly too happy with himself. "Pray tell, who it is, or I would think you're lying... just like a stubborn child."

"Well, I-I'm not sure, but I'm almost certain that Scarlett was seeing somebody, or is still seeing them, as I said, I don't know," Emma immediately realized her mistake, she shouldn't have opened her mouth like that, especially if she wasn't sure about the information herself.

"You don't know who she dated?"

"No..." Emma replied, suddenly feeling like she didn't really know Scarlett. Why did she keep it hidden from me? She made a mental note to ask her about it later.

"Ok, understood," Levi commented as he wrote something in his journal. Emma noticed the movement, curiosity burning in her mind and that moment, she wanted nothing more than to snatch his journal and read the whole thing. Or to tear it into a million pieces and burn it, she wasn't sure.

"Just one last thing," Emma heard him say, Oh, thank God, thinking she would soon be rid of his presence, "Yes?" she asked, bracing herself for the question.

"How did you find Eric's body? Were you randomly roaming the hallway at 3 am?"

"I couldn't sleep and I was bored, somehow going to the terrace seemed like a good idea to me, so I left my room and... and found Eric on the way," her voice cracking as she muttered the last few words.

"And before that, you heard nothing suspicious?"

Emma shook her head, the sadness had overwhelmed her again, rendering her speechless once more.

"Alright, thanks, I think that will be all... yes," Levi said glancing at his journal, "In case I need you again, I'll call for you. Thank you for your time," he said, getting up and making his way to the door.

"Oh! Sorry, just one last thing," said Levi as he whipped around and faced Emma once again, "Whose idea was it to make the toast?"

"Mine... why?" Emma's eyebrows pulled together, what is he getting at...

"No reason," and with that, he left.

On to the next one.

***

Hey guys! The next chapter, as promised! What did you think of it? Would love to hear your thoughts. Please don't forget to vote if you like the chapter! :)