After waiting for a while, Emily saw a familiar car appear in the distance.Nathan's car was a white Maserati. He wasn't particularly fond of cars and didn't own many. This white Maserati was his most frequently used car. Emily knew this well.Soon, a familiar red Porsche appeared and parked next to Nathan's car.Sophia got out of the car and walked over to knock on the window.Nathan's face was dark, and he almost hit Sophia with the door as he opened it.However, he still retained some sense. Sophia was pregnant, and this child couldn't be put at risk.Supporting her with a hand, Nathan asked coldly, "What's going on?"Sophia, following Grace's advice, lowered her stance, "I had nothing to do at home, so I came over early. I saw Lucas taking photos here, so I went to take a look. I didn't expect to see Emily too. She looked very close to Lucas..."Nathan gave her a cold glance, "You always happen to see Emily. It's amazing."Sophia's face fell as he saw through her immediately, "Are
Sophia hesitated.Emily's smile today made her feel uneasy.Emily seemed like a tiger eyeing its prey. One moment she was all smiles, and the next, she could pounce and tear her apart.Emily was very different from before. The old her would never have shown such an expression."No need," Sophia refused, "I can do my makeup myself. You don't need to trouble yourself.""How can that be?" Emily glanced at the nearby media, subtly hinting to Sophia, "We're cousins. If you don't let me do your makeup, people might think there's a rift between us."Emily's words were polite, but her meaning was clear.She was a makeup artist, not a public figure. Reputation didn't matter to her. But Sophia had crafted a gentle Mrs. Reed image for the media. If she publicly clashed with Emily, she would be the one to lose face!Sophia cursed Emily silently a hundred times over, but outwardly, she had to put on a friendly face, "We grew up together. We're very close. I'm just worried you'll be too tired. You'
Sophia felt as if she were being publicly sentenced.She wanted to flee, but Emily pressed her shoulders, keeping her seated."How does it feel to be disgraced?" Emily's voice whispered in her ear. Her tone was soft and gentle, but it sounded terrifying. "I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine, letting you experience what it's like to be bullied. How does it feel?"Sophia shook her head desperately, trying to stand up, but Emily seemed to have anticipated her move. Emily held her shoulders firmly, standing behind her, and continued speaking in her ear, "You should stay a while longer. Didn't you hate it when I stole your limelight last time? This time, I'm not competing with you.""Emily!!!" Sophia gritted her teeth, her eyes full of venom. "Have you had enough? I've already been humiliated enough. Are you satisfied? What more do you want?""You don't deserve to say my name."Emily held Sophia down for more than ten minutes, ensuring that the paparazzi's cameras were filled
"Mom, I can't bear this humiliation, I can't!"Back in the car, Sophia angrily threw off the scarf that had been covering her head. In the rearview mirror, her rough face looked especially ridiculous.Grace glared at her, "There are still paparazzi outside. Keep your voice down."Grace had picked Herry from school and then rushed to Sophia. The situation was worse than she had anticipated.The paparazzi had taken plenty of photos and recorded many videos, so they didn't stop them from leaving.Grace drove around a few paparazzi who were still chasing them and took a shortcut out of the park."Sister, what happened to your face?" Herry asked, wide-eyed in surprise. "Did you smear mud on it?"Sophia, already furious, yelled, "Shut up."Herry, with his strong personality, immediately shouted back, "Why are you yelling at me? Even Dad doesn't yell at me like that! Who do you think you are?""Alright, alright, both of you, stop fighting. You're siblings."Grace's face was also not looking
Logan Morgan didn't want to say more and took Herry to the study to watch Transformers.Only Grace and Sophia are in the living room.Grace sighed, "Logan Morgan has the two most cherished things in life: his son and his reputation. These are the things he values most. You must never cross him."Sophia nodded."Mom, isn't there any way to completely defeat Emily? She knows too much, and so many people have a particularly good impression of her now. I'm afraid that one day she will reveal all the secrets she knows..."Emily not only knew many secrets, but she was also a secret herself. She and Nathan weren't divorced yet, and her father was Logan Morgan. If Emily revealed all these things, all of Sophia's previous efforts would be for nothing.Grace said, "You need to keep a low profile for now. Nathan hasn't mentioned canceling the wedding yet. There's still room for maneuver.""Mom...""Enough, let me think."...In the CEO's office at Starlight Entertainment.Olivia was lying on the
Olivia hadn't decided what she wanted for lunch, so she changed her approach and decided to find the most expensive restaurant.As an employee, her lunch expenses could be charged to the company account. That meant she could spend Allen Parker's money openly. It was pure joy!Emily, being pregnant, couldn't eat seafood, and French cuisine was too greasy for them, so they finally decided on a high-end Chinese restaurant that primarily served Cantonese cuisine.Cantonese food is light and nutritious, making it perfect for pregnant women.Olivia ordered several expensive dishes and handed the menu back to the waiter. She smiled and said, "Emily, you should always bring me along when you go out for lunch."Emily nodded, "Sure, but I think the free lunch at the company is pretty good, and it saves time.""Have you been very busy lately?"Emily took a sip of lemon water, the sour taste helping to suppress her nausea somewhat. She replied to Olivia, "I want to study architectural design."Ol
The next morning at 6 AM, Mr. Satan woke Emily up.They arrived at the gynecological hospital they had booked by 7 AM.The private hospital wasn't crowded, so they completed the checkup smoothly.At noon, they had lunch at a nearby restaurant, and in the afternoon, they picked up the examination report.The doctor smiled, "Don't worry, both the mother and baby are very healthy."Emily was still a bit concerned, "Doctor, can you tell me if the baby's position is correct?""Everything looks great, no issues. Why do you ask?"Emily signed slightly, "My mother had an issue with the baby's position, which caused severe bleeding and she passed away while giving birth to me. It makes me a bit scared."The doctor was surprised, "Incorrect positioning shouldn't cause severe bleeding. Usually, severe bleeding is due to an ectopic pregnancy, but ectopic pregnancies can't reach nine months. Which hospital did your mother give birth at?""St. Mary's Hospital," Emily replied."That's a well-known h
Emma Green.Emily remembered that name.The doctor who diagnosed her infertility was also Emma Green.If she connected all these dots…Emily couldn't help but feel a chill run through her body.If Grace had planned all of this, then her scheme was truly diabolical…"Emily, are you okay?""I'm fine."Emily's expression was resolute. She was no longer the timid housewife she once was.If her mother's death was indeed related to Grace, there was no way she would let Grace and Sophia off the hook."Mr. Satan, besides Emma Green, can we find out more about my mother's death?"Mr. Satan replied, "It will take time. What happened in the operating room can only be known by Emma Green and the nurses present. Dylan is tracking down those nurses, but nurses tend to be more transient than doctors, and over twenty years have passed. Those nurses might be quite old now, making it challenging to find them quickly."Emily stood up, "I want to go home."She meant the place where she had lived with her
One year later. The house was filled with the soft glow of Christmas lights, their gentle hues dancing across the living room. Emily and Vincent had transformed their home into a cozy haven, with garlands, twinkling lights, and an extravagant Christmas tree that sparkled from every angle. The scent of cinnamon and pine mingled in the air as holiday music played softly in the background, creating a festive, heartwarming atmosphere. This Christmas, their first as a married couple, felt like the beginning of something truly beautiful, a peaceful moment carved from the chaos they’d left behind. Guests began to arrive, the first among them being Allen and Olivia, who had just returned from their honeymoon. They entered, hand-in-hand, faces glowing with happiness. Olivia had transformed over the last year. Now a poised and capable woman, she’d embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. “Emily!” Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophia’s hand. "This British couple is my family. They’re good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldn’t let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldn’t leave a ‘dead’ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didn’t die; I’m alive and back to reclaim what’s rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother won’t steal my inheritance, and you won’t ruin my wedding. Now, the ceremony continues."Satan stood in the grand hall, watching the strong, fearless woman Emily had become, a wave of unspeakable joy rising within him. His woman had become powerful.Dressed in a white gown, Emily walked slowly toward Satan, accompanied by Bert. The small diamonds on her gown sparkled under the light
“I know,” Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. She’d expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincent’s unwavering stance took her by surprise. It’s over—everything’s finally over.Emily’s eyes glistened with tears.The priest’s voice resonated, “The groom may now kiss the bride…”Emily lowered her head, tears shimmering on her lashes. Vincent leaned in, kissing away the tear before it fell.Applause thundered through the church, and the priest laughed. “Go on, kiss her; she’s yours now.”Vincent didn’t hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. “You’re my wife, Emily. Finally.”Emily smiled through her tears. “Yes, I’m finally your wife.”Vincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. “Emily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.”The guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasn’t about to let things end on such a perfect note. Her face twisted with such fury
Dylan was right.Three days later, Emily Carter and Vincent Norman were to be married. With Meggie as the wedding’s head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Miranda—the talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prize—was indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldn’t believe the city’s most eligible bachelor, Vincent, had been swept off his feet so quickly.The Norman family, known for their longstanding legacy, hosted an extravagant guest list. Alex greeted everyone warmly, while Mandy barely cracked a smile. She was still fuming—she’d barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a “suitable” bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, “Wasn’t he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now he’s marrying someone else so fast?”Meggie overheard and firmly replied, “The bride is Emily.”“Oh, come on, Mom. She’s not—”
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. “Fine, I’ll drink it. But after I’m done, go back to your office!”With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down the entire glass of lemon water in one go. She quickly shoved the empty glass back into Vincent's hands, saying, "There, all done!"Vincent's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Great. Come to my office at lunchtime," he said with a hint of mischief.Emily frantically tried to signal him with her eyes, mouthing, “People are watching!”Vincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, “It’s freezing outside, so don’t go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; he’ll bring it up, and we’ll eat together.”“...Okay.”He’s gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping he’d leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.“Oh, one more thing,” Vincent added nonchalantly, “Don’t rush off after work. We’ll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.”Emily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything he’d just eaten, leaving a mess on the floor.The young nurse, no older than twenty, panicked and rushed toward the door to call a doctor, but Jackson stopped her. “Stay,” he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. “Sir, if you’re unwell, you really should let the doctor check—”“I’m not unwell,” Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.“Are you scared of me?” he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.“N-no, not at all,” the nurse stammered, shaking her head. “It’s just…”“Don’t worry about it,” he said, a faint sneer forming. “Fear is natural. I’ve never been the nicest person, and I don’t pretend to be.”“Oh no, you’re a good person, sir! You… well, you pay me well,” she replied hesitantly.“Money alone doesn’t make someone good,” Jacks
The projects across the company were running smoothly. Ken managed the technical aspects, and Daniel handled administration and overall decision-making. Even during Satan's three-year absence, The Great Wall Group retained its position as New York’s leading business powerhouse.As Emily browsed the recent news on her phone in the car, it was clear the city was engulfed in Christmas cheer, bright and bustling.Satan glanced over. “Any plans for Christmas?”She paused. “Not really. I’ll probably just stay in and watch TV with Bert.”He nodded without pressing further. Emily wondered what had prompted him to ask; he’d usually spend Christmas with his family.A slight smile crept across her face, but her expression held a tinge of sadness. The people in her life seemed to be growing fewer by the year. Christmas used to be difficult but joyful, a shared warmth despite the hardships. This year, it felt especially lonely. Sophia had long severed ties with the family, and William was gone. It
Jackson cut her off. “Then let me take you to meet my family! You’re amazing—they just don’t know you yet. Once they do, they’ll definitely support us being together. That way, we won’t have to choose, and we can stay together, right?”“What if they still don’t agree?”“I’ll talk to them. I’m committed to you for life. They’ll have to come around, whether they agree or not!”Emily couldn’t help but laugh. “But I don’t agree.”Jackson felt a pang of panic. He tried to sit up to reach her hand, but his body was still confined by the plaster, immobilizing him completely, and he was forced to lie back down. “Emily, are you worried because my parents don’t like you? If I love you, their initial reservations don’t matter; they’ll come to accept it.”“That’s part of it,” Emily admitted, “but there’s a more important reason…”A sinking feeling came over Jackson. “…What is it?”……Weather forecasts are rarely reliable, but this time, it turned out to be spot on.By evening, the sky was filled
Emily didn’t say anything, but her mind was a mess.“You don’t need to say so many sentimental things,” she replied softly. “For Meggie’s sake, I’ll go through with the wedding. Don’t worry.”“But I don’t want a fake wedding,” Satan replied. “I want it to be real.”The elevator stopped on the ground floor.Emily stepped out first, and unlike the warmth of the room upstairs, cold snowflakes were now drifting down outside, and the air felt sharp against her skin, like knives slicing across her face.Standing at the Hilton’s entrance, she asked, “Did you drive here?”“I took a cab.”“Did you sneak out again?”Satan shrugged with a wry smile. “Dylan’s been keeping too close an eye on me.”With no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up.“To St. Mary’s Hospital, please,” she instructed, then turned back to him. “When you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?”He nodded. “And what about you? What