Emma’s fingers hovered over her phone for a moment before she finally dialed.“Mia, I won’t be coming in today,” she said quickly, keeping her voice calm. “I just need some fresh air. I’ll be fine.”“Are you sure, Mrs. Clarke?” Mia asked, her concern clear even through the phone.“Yes. Don’t worry,” Emma said, forcing a smile she didn’t feel. She hung up and tucked the phone into her bag, moving out of the mansion before anyone could notice.The streets were unusually quiet for a weekday morning. Emma walked quickly, letting herself breathe in the cool air. The past few days had been relentless, the media attention, the gala, the endless questions, and the tension with Liam after their argument. For a brief moment, she just wanted to be alone, to let the burden of everything fade away.She rounded a corner, her pace slowing as she tried to enjoy the ordinary, everyday bustle of people going to work. But the feeling of safety didn’t last. Two men stepped out from a narrow alley ahead,

The car rolled to a stop beside an empty warehouse at the far end of the city. The place was quiet, just the hum of distant traffic and the occasional bark of a stray dog. Liam turned off the headlights and stepped out, his shoes crunching lightly against gravel.Two men waited in the shadows near a line of parked vans. They straightened as he approached. One of them, a stocky man in his forties, gave a small nod. “Mr. Clarke.”Liam didn’t waste time with greetings. “Did you get the report?”“Yes, sir,” the man said quickly. “Two attackers, possibly local pests. They were seen near the other side of the market before the incident. We’re tracing the vehicle they used to escape.”Liam’s expression didn’t change except a faint glint that crossed his eyes. “Tracing isn’t enough.”The man hesitated. “You want them to be found?”Liam’s tone was quiet but sharp enough to cut through the dark. “No. I want you two to handle them properly.”That single word changed the air around them. The men

The office was quieter than usual that morning. Emma settled into her chair, still thinking about the events of the previous night in her head. The argument with Liam repeated in her mind, the sharpness of his words, the calm way he had shut her down, and the tension that had filled the house afterward. She pressed her temples with her fingers, trying to push it away. Her phone buzzed, startling her. It was Mia. “Mrs. Clarke,” Mia said, hesitantly, “Mr. Blake is here to see you.” Emma froze. She didn’t expect him, not today, and certainly not after everything that had happened in the last few days. She straightened her blouse and said, “I’m not really in the mood, Mia. Please tell him I’m busy.” Mia hesitated. “I—I think he wants to apologize for what happened to you yesterday. He seemed… serious about it.” Emma sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Fine. Just send him in.” A few moments later, Ethan walked through the door. His usual confidence wasn’t present, instead he looked serio

Emma woke up at her usual time, feeling a little tired but calmer than she had the night before. The argument with Liam had settled quietly, and even though things still weren’t perfect, the tension between them wasn’t as sharp anymore. She was getting ready for the day when a sudden loud noise echoed from downstairs.She was brushing her hair when she heard shouting downstairs.At first, she thought it was the usual morning argument between Margaret and one of the staff but within seconds, the shouting grew louder and too chaotic to be normal.Emma dropped the brush and rushed out of the room.By the time she reached the stairs, the entire family had gathered. Margaret was yelling for someone to call security. The house guards were already pushing through the crowd.Emma’s heart raced. She hurried down the last few steps and stopped. Two men were kneeling right in the middle of the living room floor. They were the same two men who had almost harassed her days ago.But they didn’t loo

Emma sat on the edge of the sofa with Liam beside her. The room was quiet then suddenly, her phone buzzed on the side table, and she picked it up, frowning at the screen. It was Ethan.She glanced at Liam but he wasn’t looking at her, almost as though he hadn’t heard her phone ring. She hesitantly reached for her phone and picked it up, “Hello?” she said, her voice careful.“Emma,” Ethan’s voice came through, calm but with a hint of concern. “I hope you’re alright.”Emma’s brow furrowed slightly. “I am.” She paused. “You… you know about what happened.”“I heard,” he said. “I’m glad the men who attacked you have finally been caught.”Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know that?”“That’s not important,” he replied. “What matters is that you’re safe. That’s all I care about.”Emma looked down at her hands. There was a tone that made her feel a strange mix of relief and frustration.“Ethan,” she said finally, her voice firmer. “We need to talk.” She said seriously then pressed the end call b