ble beginn

ed on Emily's report, long a

ressed him, but he knew bett

lionaire after inheriting nothing but debt and

nsformed Thompson Innovatio

of his past

lexander and Elizabeth Thompson, whose unt

truggle to make ends meet, and t

hed, his eyes fla

yone or anything thre

zed, snapping hi

ontgomery is waiting,"

pression t

. Maxwell, had secured a lucrative deal for Thomps

he window, his

s mind: "Father's influence

hone buzz

chedule for tomorrow,

d on the city, his e

his desk, a faint smi

etermination and raw

let emotions clo

ag

red, a reminder of the devastating c

eyes h

arm's length, no matter h

is office, her piercing green

yield unprecedented profits," Sophia sai

gaze tur

ship benefits both parti

s smile

see abo

hildhood home as she stepped out of Tho

past and present was a harsh

up in was a world away from the luxuriou

ke ends meet, had sacrificed

g by the faint glow of a single bulb, the sound o

elled with d

et their strug

fted to her parents' words of encouragement. "You'r

ut Emily's mind was already r

s, and impressin

familiar sights and sounds of he

Korean BBQ, and the warm greetings

feeling a sens

ex, the peeling paint and rusty railings a

with a warm hug and a tired smile

was amazing, Umma. I'm go

with pride. "We alw

mily's father, Min-Soo, asked about her day. Emily recoun

armth. "You're making us proud

ughter and stories, Emily's heart

e fell upon the faded photograph of her parents, t

a silen

fe for us. I won't let

ff to sleep, the city's distant hum l

w D

blared, jolt

her eyes, excitement cou

Thompson

y's thoughts lingere

matic smile. She pushed asi

s, E

r, Jae-Hwa, had prepa

gy for your big day," Jae-Hwa s

tightly. "Thanks, Umma

flew by in a blur. Emily's mind was

office, Rachel greeted

ly! Ethan wants to

eart skip

than want

o Ethan's office,

from his desk, h

w project. Research the latest

termination igni

on

gered, his expre

exceptiona

pulse qu

t disap

office, Emily felt

, hours flying by in a whi

apping up, Rachel

doing great. Et

rt swelled

el. I won't l

packed up her belongings, eager

submitted her report to Ethan, f

the document, his e

he said finally, a hint

rt swelled

his tall frame t

ect," he said, gesturing to two

orces operatives turned high-end s

ervices, was renowned for safeguar

ffice, Emily listened inten

the downtown area with sustainable

nd whirled

tial," she said, her

d, a flicker of inte

the parking garage,

e Ethan's sleek black sedan,

pression t

s smile

ing. I've be

jaw cl

you want,

yes locked

you kno

e dropped to

off, S

ter echoed thr

st gettin

, her gaze piercing Em

her, fueled by Emily's gr

a thought, her mind

once solely focused

s smile

of you," she whi

k sedan, flanked by Victor and Lucas,

r phone, checking

inutes

r pace, walking to

her, a welcome respite from the

e bus, Emily's thoug

cold hearted a

as Sophia'

head, pushing as

stepped aboard, finding a

away, Emily gaze

d together, her mind w

ophia's sinister plan

ut her phone, d

dripping with venom, "I need yo

ce echoed thr

f dirt, Ms.

sent shivers dow

ired. Enough to keep

n hesi

. Montgomery. But

tone turn

wo

rying Emily further awa

or ho

contin