The once-bustling wedding banquet had gone dead quiet, like someone had pulled the plug on the whole event.Emily stood near the edge of the hall, hesitant. She could’ve left like the rest, but something deep in her gut told her to stay—there were things she needed answers for, and Liam was the only one who could give them.Amnon scoffed, his voice low but laced with cold fury. “Young Master, honestly… you should’ve let me end those two clowns. Would’ve saved you the headache down the line.”Then he paused, finally noticing that Emily was still there, and shut his mouth.Liam didn’t react to the comment. His face was calm, unreadable—but when he looked at Emily, there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes.“Emily,” he said, voice steady, “is there something you still want to ask?”She took a breath, her gaze filled with guilt. “I just wanted to say… I’m sorry. Back there, I should’ve stood up for you. But I didn’t.”Liam looked at her for a moment before offering a faint smi

“Once I’ve dealt with that punk Liam, I’ll throw the biggest damn wedding. You’re my queen, after all. I’d never let you settle for anything less.”That line worked like magic. Nina snuggled into his chest, her face glowing with fake sweetness. “I knew you loved me the most,” she purred. “Liam’s a worthless loser. He’s nothing compared to you, my love.”“So, when are we going to crush him? I want to see him on his knees, begging for mercy. It’s the only way I’ll feel satisfied.”Jake’s expression turned cold. “Trust me, we’ll make him pay. But not yet. There’s something bigger in motion.” “In a few days, someone important’s coming into town from Capitol Hill—Miss Blair, the heiress of the Blair family.”Nina blinked, startled. “Wait... the Blair family? One of the Big Six?”Jake nodded, eyes gleaming with ambition. “Exactly.” “She’s the designated successor of the Blairs, and she’s coming here—to Riverside City. No one knows exactly why, but if we can get on her radar, make an im

Even Jake, thick as he was, could tell something was off. And if this continued, the Johnson Family was bound to start getting impatient with him.He tried to save face, flashing a stiff smile.“Relax,” he said to Nina, voice low and full of fake confidence. “This loser? Please. There’s no way he knows anything about what’s really going on up here in high society.” “He’s just trying to mess with our heads. I’ll give Mr. Williams a call later, have a nice little heart-to-heart.” “He’ll set things straight.”Liam stood there with his hands in his pockets, the faintest smirk curling across his lips. His eyes, cold and sharp, didn’t miss a thing. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the crisp clack of heels echoed down the marble steps.Emily was walking toward them quickly, dressed in a fitted navy-blue blazer and pencil skirt that gave her an air of sharp elegance. Her dark hair was pulled into a neat bun, and every step she took radiated calm confidence.“Sorry to keep you waiti

Emily had just stepped through the front door, coat still on, when her phone buzzed. It was a message from Nina. [ - Nina: Emily, I’m sorry. I lost my temper earlier today. That contract was worth a billion—it slipping through our fingers hit me hard. ] [ - Nina: I didn’t mean to take it out on you. I hope you’re not still mad. I really am sorry. ] Staring at the screen, Emily’s heart tightened. The tension she’d just shaken off crept right back in, curling around her spine. She hesitated, fingers hovering above the keyboard, then finally typed out a reply. [ - Emily: I share the blame too. I should’ve given you a heads-up, but Mr. Williams made it clear—it was confidential. ] [ - Emily: I really didn’t mean to blindside you. If we can’t land this deal, the Carter family’s finances are going to implode... ] Across town, Nina was lounging on the velvet sofa of her downtown high-rise apartment, a glass of red wine in one hand, eyes locked on her phone screen. As she read Emily

DeShawn leaned in close as if to toast.But then “accidentally” knocked his elbow into his glass.Splash!The drink poured straight down Emily’s front.Her dress clung to her skin in an instant, soaked through with ice-cold whiskey. The sharp sting of cologne, liquor, and humiliation clung to her like a second skin. The once-sleek fabric now outlined every curve of her body under the overhead light.And DeShawn?He just sat back and laughed—like the bastard knew exactly what he was doing.“Oh man—look at me, spacing out the second a pretty woman walks in. Not my fault, though. You’re just too damn gorgeous.”DeShawn grinned, all sleaze and swagger, reeking of cheap whiskey and menthols. As he spoke, one booze-slicked hand snaked toward Emily, brushing down her collarbone like it was just a casual gesture. But it wasn’t casual—it was deliberate. And disgusting.His hand was rough, heavy, trailing the sour stench of alcohol and cigarettes as it slid lower.Emily’s face went pale in a