When the elevator doors opened, they were greeted by a spacious banquet hall, warmly lit with soft golden lights that filled the entire space. In the center of the hall were tables lined with an assortment of exquisite pastries and drinks, and the seating was arranged thoughtfully around the room. From a nearby wall of glass windows, one could overlook the breathtaking city skyline at night.
The hall was already quite lively, filled with well-dressed men and women holding champagne flutes, gathered in small groups, chatting softly among themselves.
As Emily and Claire walked into the hall, they noticed quite a few eyes had already fallen on them. Emily had the kind of charm that seemed straight out of an old movie—something of a classic beauty, with a blend of both vintage and modern appeal. Moving under the banquet hall’s lights, she looked like a protagonist from a film, dazzling and composed. No matter where she went, wh
As Emily stepped into the brilliantly lit engagement hall, she was like a dazzling star, instantly capturing the attention of everyone present. Her stunning beauty seemed as if she had stepped straight out of a Hollywood movie, like a goddess descending to earth. Her fair, delicate skin and finely contoured features looked even more flawless under the warm glow of the lights. Her deep, luminous eyes sparkled with intelligence, as if they could perceive all the beauty and sorrow of the world.She wore a custom-made white V-neck gown, with lace and satin woven together like delicate brushstrokes, perfectly outlining her graceful silhouette. The pearls and crystals that adorned the dress added a layer of elegance and sophistication. Her red high heels elongated her legs, making her look both enchanting and poised, exuding endless charm with each step. Her long hair was styled elegantly in a half-up, half-down look, with a few loose strands cascading gently, adding a soft femininity to he
"Polycystic ovary syndrome, difficulty conceiving." The doctor's words were like a cold blade, stabbing deeply into Emily's heart. After hanging up the phone, she felt her world collapsing, as though all the colors had drained from it in that very moment.In just one day, she had experienced two devastating blows. First, she caught her fiancé and her closest friend betraying her with her own eyes. Then, she learned that she might never be able to conceive, while the other woman was already pregnant. The unexpected changes hit Emily so hard that even someone as strong as her needed time to digest such unimaginable turmoil.She stood at the hotel entrance, her heart a storm of anger and sadness, crashing within her like fierce waves, making it almost impossible for her to breathe. She gripped her phone tightly, her fingers pale from the pressure. She needed time—time to adjust her emotions, to rethink her future. As she crossed the street, lost in her thoughts, an ear-piercing car horn
The peaceful morning was suddenly pierced by the shrill ring of a phone. Emily, groggy from sleep, fumbled to answer it. The news on the other end made her instantly alert."Emily, where have you been? I've been calling you for ages. Your grandma had a sudden heart attack yesterday. I called an ambulance and she’s now in the People's Hospital. She needs surgery urgently, please come back soon," her mother’s voice was filled with anxiety and helplessness. Every word seemed to slam into Emily’s heart.Emily had been raised by her grandmother and mother. She knew firsthand the hardships they endured. Without a father, it had always been just the three of them, leaning on each other to get through the toughest of times. Now, hearing that her grandmother's life was hanging by a thread, Emily was overwhelmed by helplessness and fear. She quickly requested leave from work, packed her bags, and booked the earliest flight, desperate to be by her grandmother’s side.As the plane flew high above
Ethan sat in his dark leather ergonomic chair, sunlight streaming through the blinds, casting a dappled pattern across his desk. It was a warm autumn afternoon, yet his mood was anything but bright—a cloud of unease seemed to hang over him, keeping him restless. His fingers drummed against the table unconsciously, making a soft rhythm as if trying to beat away the thoughts cluttering his mind. Documents lay scattered across the polished surface, but he couldn't focus on them—his mind was elsewhere, somewhere that kept slipping from his grasp, and he had no power to bring it back.Ever since Emily had walked out of their engagement party, Ethan had been in a perpetual state of turmoil. Days had gone by without a single word from her, and the emptiness gnawed at him. He thought he'd be able to carry on with his life, to return to normal, to be the same old Ethan he always was. But whenever the world went quiet, his mind filled the silence with thoughts of her. He remembered the warmth of
The impending surgery loomed like a storm on the horizon—unknown and fraught with uncertainty. Emily’s mother was not in the best of health, and Emily herself could not afford to collapse, not now. The hospital lights continued to burn brightly as night fell. By ten in the evening, exhaustion and the necessity to rest finally made Emily relent. She agreed to Ethan’s suggestion of staying at the nearby hotel. It went without saying that they booked separate rooms.Emily returned to her room, taking a quick, hot shower before changing into fresh pajamas. Despite two days of relentless fatigue weighing on her body, she found herself unable to sleep. She lay in bed, twisting and turning, her mind wandering restlessly. Her thoughts inevitably drifted back to the memories she shared with Ethan. Those three years, though short, had occupied some of the most beautiful moments of her life.She remembered her early days at the luxury hotel, working as a front desk receptionist. It had been chao
The morning sun filtered softly through the curtains, painting warm, golden streaks across Emily's face. She slowly opened her eyes, letting the gentle light coax her awake. The peace and harmony of the early dawn wrapped around her, making her feel momentarily calm and refreshed, as if the troubles of the past few days were nothing more than an evanescent dream. Though the memories of last night's vivid dream lingered, she knew well that no matter how real the dream felt, it could not change her reality. She had to stay strong—for her grandmother, her mother, and most importantly, for herself.Emily quickly dressed, donning her most comfortable clothes, and set off for the hospital. She walked briskly through the hallways, her heart already at her grandmother's side. As she turned the corner to approach the room, she suddenly saw Ethan coming down the hallway from the other direction. He was here to visit her grandmother, just as she was. His eyes locked on hers, filled with concern
Emily stood at the hotel front desk, her smile warm and professional. As a front desk receptionist, she always greeted every guest with enthusiasm, giving her all no matter what. Her eyes were focused and determined, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she handled various tasks. Despite the deep pain she carried within, she never allowed her personal emotions to interfere with her work. She knew that this job was a symbol of her independence and the foundation for rebuilding her life.Today, like any other day, she worked diligently, managing her duties in an organized manner. She constantly reminded herself that no matter what happened in her life, she had to remain focused and keep moving forward.The phone ringing interrupted Emily’s work. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Ethan’s mother. She took a deep breath and picked up the phone."Emily, do you have time this weekend? It's my birthday, and you absolutely must come over to the house," the familiar, gentle voice came th
Chapter 008: The Inspection IncidentWith the year coming to an end, the hotel group’s headquarters had decided to send upper management for random inspections, ensuring that the quality of service and operational standards of their hotels were upheld. The hotel where Emily worked was among those chosen for inspection. Today was the day of the inspection, and a sense of tension and anticipation filled the entire building.Emily stood at the front desk, her smile brighter than usual. She knew that today was not just a test for the hotel, but also a personal challenge. She had to be on her very best behavior, showing the highest level of professionalism to handle anything that might happen.Her uniform was ironed to perfection, with not a wrinkle in sight. Her hair was neatly pinned back, and every detail of her appearance spoke of her dedication to her job and how seriously she took this inspection. Determination glimmered in her eyes as if telling everyone that no matter what happened