2025-11-10 14:30:20For a heartbeat, no one moved. Liam’s calm voice still hung in the air, then suddenly, the room erupted in laughter.
Tara bent over, clutching her stomach. Mark slapped his thigh and wheezed with laughter. Even Victoria, who usually tried to keep her calm, was wiping tears from her eyes as a result of the laughter.
“Oh, Liam,” Tara said between laughs, wiping tears from her eyes. “You’ve finally lost it. You? The owner of Titan Global Holdings? That’s the funniest thing I’ve heard all year!”
Margaret Harper didn’t laugh. She just stared at Liam with a look of utter disbelief, her knuckles white around the head of her cane. Then, very slowly, she began to smile. It was the kind of smile that felt worse than anger.
“Enough of this nonsense!” she snapped. “We’re dealing with a real crisis, and this useless man decides to make jokes?”
“I’m not joking,” Liam replied evenly, his tone calm and measured.
That only made them laugh harder.
“Of course you’re not,” Tara’s brother, Mark, sneered. “You actually believe your own fantasies, don’t you? Unbelievable.”
Emma, standing near the stairs, felt her stomach churn in embarrassment. “Liam, please,” she whispered urgently, trying to keep her voice from trembling. “Don’t make things worse. Everyone’s already on the edge.”
Liam didn’t respond. His calm expression only seemed to make them angrier.
Tara leaned forward, her eyes glittering with mockery. “Tell us, Liam,” she said sweetly, “if you own Titan Global, why are you still living here, eating our food, doing the chores, and wearing the same cheap suit every day?”
“Maybe he’s trying to experience how the poor live,” Mark said, smirking. “Must be part of his billionaire philosophy.”
They all burst into laughter again. Even Victoria chuckled softly. “Oh, Liam,” she sighed. “You’ve embarrassed this family in so many ways, but claiming to own Titan Global might finally top the list.”
“Enough!” Margaret snapped, slamming her cane against the marble. “We have more important matters to discuss than a nobody’s delusions.”
The laughter died down as Margaret’s commanding presence made the room become quiet instantly.
Her sharp eyes swept across the room. “We all know what’s at stake. Titan Global Holdings is opening public bidding for their new luxury hotel project. Whoever secures that deal will be the next president of our company. That rule still stands.”
Mark’s face lit up with confidence. “Then that’s settled,” he said, straightening proudly. “Since my dear sister couldn’t handle her end, I’ll take care of it myself.”
Margaret’s expression softened with approval. “Good. At least one of you understands responsibility.”
She turned to Emma, her eyes cold. “Unlike you.”
Emma lowered her head. “Yes, Grandmother.”
Victoria frowned slightly. “Mother, that’s unfair. Emma has worked hard—”
Margaret’s glare made her shut up. “Hard work means nothing without results.”
Victoria bit back her words with a sigh. Emma stayed quiet with her eyes downcast.
Liam watched quietly, with an unreadable expression. Then the front door opened.
The sound of footsteps echoed across the floor. Everyone turned toward the doorway as Ethan Morgan walked in, smiling with confidence. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and the faint scent of expensive cologne followed him.
“Sorry for dropping by unannounced,” he said calmly. “I heard there’s been some trouble.”
Victoria’s face lit up. “Ethan! Oh, thank God. You came at the perfect time!”
Margaret’s frown softened immediately. “Mr. Morgan,” she said politely, “what a pleasant surprise.”
Ethan nodded respectfully, then turned to Emma. “I heard about the bidding news. It looks like fate is giving us another chance.” His tone was light but confident, and his gaze lingered on her a little too long. “Emma, you look beautiful as ever.”
Emma stiffened, her discomfort obvious. “Ethan, this really isn’t—”
“I came with sincerity,” he interrupted smoothly. “I still want to pursue you. I meant every word I said before.”
The room became silent. Victoria’s eyes shone with excitement. She grabbed Ethan’s hand, smiling brightly. “You’re too kind, Ethan. You can see how difficult things have been for Emma. Our family’s future is at stake, and if anyone can help us, it’s you.”
Ethan chuckled lightly, flashing his perfect teeth. “Help? That’s hardly a problem. A trivial matter, really.” He waved his hand casually. “All I need to do is call my father. He’ll make sure. You just consider it done.”
“You can really do that?” Tara asked eagerly, eyes shining.
Ethan grinned. “Of course. My father has connections everywhere. Titan Global won’t turn us down once he makes the call.”
Margaret let out a big smile. “Now that’s a real man,” she said approvingly. “Capable, confident, and resourceful. The kind of man our family needs.”
Her gaze moved toward Liam, cold and filled with disdain. “Not the kind who freeloads and talks about fantasies and delusions all day long.”
The family murmured in agreement.
Ethan looked at Liam, amusement flickering in his eyes. “Don’t worry, Liam. Once this is over, maybe I’ll find you a small job at one of our subsidiary companies. Something that suits your… skill level.”
Liam said nothing, still having a calm expression on his face.
“See?” Tara said mockingly. “He can’t even defend himself. He knows he’s useless.”
Ethan turned back to her, his voice softening. “Don’t worry, Emma. I’ll handle everything. You’ve suffered enough already. Soon, you’ll be free from… unnecessary burdens.”
His eyes moved toward Liam deliberately and Liam finally spoke. “You think you can guarantee that contract?”
Ethan smirked. “Obviously.”
“Then prove it,” Liam said simply.
The challenge hung in the air. Ethan hesitated for just a moment, thrown off by Liam’s calm. Then he forced a laugh. “What are you saying?,” he said, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Do you know the kind of connection my family has? I just need to call my father.”
“Emma will secure the deal but Tital Global holdings will never coperate with your family.” Liam said calmly like he was very certain.
Ethan gasped, surprised by Liam’s words. “Is that a threat?” He began dialing harshly on his phone, his face red with anger. “You’re a delusional loser. I’ll show you that I’m far better than you.”
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CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY ONE
Emma stopped walking but she didn’t turn around. Her hand stayed on the door handle, fingers stiff, like if she let go she would fall apart right there on the floor.Behind her, the room was quiet. “I’m back,” Liam said.The words landed hard.Emma let out a shaky breath that sounded almost like a laugh. “I thought you were dead.”“I wasn’t,” he replied. His voice was steady. “I faked it.”Her shoulders dropped slightly, like something heavy had finally crushed her instead of hovering. “You faked your death,” she repeated slowly.“Yes.”She swallowed. “Do you know what that did to me?”He didn’t answer immediately.She shook her head, still facing the door. “I watched people talk about you like you were already gone. I had to hear your name used in past tense.”“I know,” he said quietly.“No,” she snapped, her voice rising. “You don’t. Because if you knew, you wouldn’t be standing there saying it like it’s a strategy meeting.”Silence stretched between them. “You left me,” Emma contin
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
Emma stayed frozen in her chair, her fingers gripping the edge of the table like it was the only solid thing left in the world. Liam was there, standing and breathing. He was real.No one said his name. They didn’t need to. One of the men at the table stood up first. Slowly and respectfully. “Sir,” he said, his voice careful.Another followed immediately, then another. All of them rose to their feet. Liam didn’t look at Emma, not once.He walked past her chair like she wasn’t there. The air shifted when he moved like everyone suddenly remembered who they were dealing with.He took the seat at the center of the table. No one sat until he did.Emma’s heart was pounding so hard she could hear it in her ears. She tried to breathe normally. She failed. Her chest felt tight, like it was caving in on itself.Liam folded his hands on the table, calm and controlled. His face gave nothing away. “Sit,” he said.They all sat.Emma remained still for half a second too long. Then she forced herself
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN
The morning felt off from the moment Emma opened her eyes.She lay still for a few seconds, staring at the ceiling, one hand resting on her stomach. The bump was clearer now. She could feel it even before she looked. It grounded her and scared her at the same time.“Okay,” she whispered to herself. “Just get up.”She pushed herself out of bed slowly. Her legs felt weak, like she hadn’t slept at all. She went into the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and stared at her reflection.“You can do this,” she said. Her voice didn’t sound convinced.She dressed carefully. She wore a loose dress and a jacket she hadn’t worn in months. She paused while putting on her shoes, breathing through the tight feeling in her chest.When she stepped into the living room, everyone was already there.Margaret stood near the window, hands clasped together like she was praying without saying the words. Victoria sat on the arm of the couch, watching Emma closely. George stood by the door, jacket already o
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN
Emma lay on the couch with one arm tucked behind her head and the other resting on her stomach. The baby bump was no longer something she could ignore. It curved gently under her shirt, small but firm, like it had claimed its place.She stared at the ceiling, counting nothing. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table. She didn’t move and it buzzed again.She sighed and turned her head slowly. The screen lit up with a name.Mia.Emma closed her eyes. “Please,” she murmured. “Not today.”The phone kept vibrating until she couldn’t ignore it anymore.“Okay,” she said quietly, pushing herself up. Her body felt heavy, like gravity had doubled overnight. She reached for the phone and answered without checking her tone.“Mia, I really don’t have the energy—”“Emma,” Mia cut in. “You need to turn on the news now.”Emma frowned. “I’m not doing this today.”“This isn’t gossip,” Mia said quickly. “This is serious.”Emma leaned back into the couch. “Everything has been serious for months.”“I know,”
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN
They chose a small café tucked between a bookstore and a flower shop. It wasn’t fancy, it had warm light, wooden tables, and the quiet sound of people who weren’t trying to do too much.Exactly what they needed.Emma sat with a cup of tea in front of her. Steam curled up from it, carrying the faint smell of ginger and lemon. She wrapped both hands around the cup, not because she wanted to drink it, but because the warmth grounded her. She hadn’t taken a sip since it arrived.Margaret sat to her left, flipping through a paperback she’d brought along, talking about it as if it were the most important thing in the world. Something about the author and another thing of how the ending annoyed her.Victoria disagreed, of course. She always did. “I liked the ending,” she said. “It was realistic.”Margaret scoffed lightly. “Realistic doesn’t mean satisfying.”George sat across from them, listening more than speaking, his coffee untouched. He smiled when Margaret waved her hand dramatically. H
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN
Emma sat on the couch with her legs pulled up, her chin resting on her knees. Her arms were wrapped loosely around herself, like she was afraid she might fall apart if she let go. She wasn’t crying, she hadn’t cried since yesterday afternoon, when her chest hurt so badly she thought she might choke on it.Now her eyes felt dry and empty like she had already given everything she had.Margaret sat beside her, knitting slowly. The needles clicked together in a steady rhythm, soft but constant. It was the kind of sound that usually felt comforting. Today, it just filled the silence so it wouldn’t feel too loud.Victoria stood by the window with her arms folded, staring out at the garden. The flowers were blooming brightly, like nothing in the world had gone wrong. She watched them without really seeing them.George sat across from Emma on the low chair, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His hands were clasped together so tightly his knuckles looked pale, he hadn’t moved in
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