b of dece

her workstation, her min

Ethan brou

ensed subtle changes i

st curious gl

ulated, like

absence w

hia was behind the pl

ease l

of being

Emily's ph

nown n

ing with fire," a l

Innovations whil

ne wen

eart skip

was

d again, snapping h

Mr. Ethan's assi

to see you in h

s hear

t n

than's office, his e

eived disturbing

ions. If true, you'll f

palms gr

, sir, I didn

n's gaze

sure me, Emily. I pay

opped to a c

l face criminal c

rotted in prison,

eyes w

in his eyes sent sh

ly. I won't tole

er voice barely

erstan

expression d

, get back

d his office,

r. Ethan departed, flan

s maintained a stoic silence

sleek black car, Vict

tate was uneventful, te

Lucas assumed their posts

car, walking to

acres, surrounded by towe

ool glimmered in

ion, greeted by the so

Maria, a

ir. Your ba

ollowing Maria

loped him, soothing

is thoughts tur

arism all

termin

rrupted hi

epare your

hook hi

my room. Tha

leaving Ethan

bath, wrapping him

d, Emily's face lin

silent, no messages d

bed, lost

de seemed to mirro

bled as she dialed

aire with vast connec

arling, wh

" Sophia spat. "

tone remain

s Emil

frustra

t Thompson I

han fav

response wa

ke care

worry,

ake one

ee will

s tensi

k you

assurance w

s soon as I'm out

, relief wash

ould soon b

d the call, his

r she was, would

ll would se

th of sunlight streaming

a welcome break from

wned, and began h

ast, Emily tackled t

ing, and cooki

but cheerful, jo

How was wor

y sm

e, Dad. Jus

eyes sparkled

great, Emily

art swelle

lways take c

by side, Emily fel

te from the o

of the day lost i

f the sto

f Sophia'

Montgomery'

ily's world

ork, and

alm would

ing dawned br

resolve

han, regardless of

d mansion, Sophia in

We're going to M

ccustomed to Sophia'

l guard in tow,

vehicle navigated

whirled with cal

than's vul

ation with

termination

xploit Etha

e Emily from

than's estate, Sophi

gates sw

glided up t

orning was about

person he wa

as exchanged a

Sophia make her

er of a top billionaire,

ned their

ut of the car, Ryde

vily-built men

ucas flanked

Sophia," Victor sai

ngs you h

mile was s

. Can't you see I'

eyes n

isn't exp

ughter was

ecisely wh

to get fired?

ion reflected fe

han of your arrival

de, his eyes l

positioned, a s

bout to push

nfidence wavere

regained he

ce echoed f

d he

rs swun

s sparkled w

d into th

ors were despera

cted them to s

privacy wit

nded by vibrant flowers, beaut

proached Sophia with

splashed onto Soph

ace contor

maid, sending he

es widened

s unacceptable

my hous

s smile

ford to offen

t appreciate yo

jaw cl

ntgomery's

partnership hun

s cruelty s

d his ba

e into hi

ammed shut

clicked i

: Sophia was no

es burned

een business

ion toward Sop

echoed through the mansion,

nraged, Sophia s

she snapped

lanked her, fa

mansion's driver way,

her phone fr

oss the screen, dial

Mr. Montgomery's d

a said, her ton

see me. He slamm

ery's voice

hand

inds me," Sop

Emily, to continue work

y's assurance

ke the c

mile was t

ou would,

shed with de

Ethan," she whis

rted her into t

nce was palpable, his phone

eliberate as he wa

he saw the caller

trepidation, E

rrupting," Mr. Montgomery's b

d me, quite distra

he way you treated h

lently, his expre

paused, expec

n remain

Mr. Montgome

rns about your ne

er out of yo

arrowed, his t

, he said

ery's tone

ily's termin

tgomery's influen

e was a carefu

swayed by Sophia

omery's

ained silent

ontgomery

ur confirmat

sponse was

I

contin