James Taylor sent the address of the banquet to Logan Morgan.Logan was not yet familiar with the roads in New York City. It took him a long time to reach the place.It was a private estate at the foot of a mountain. The architecture was grand. The front yard fountain was as large as a football field. Servants were everywhere, moving about with professional courtesy.Logan could even see a private golf course in the distance.Emily had lived in New York for over twenty years and had no idea there was such an upscale private estate here. What she couldn't believe even more was that Mr. Satan, accustomed to living in such luxurious mansions, could still stand with her in her shabby, dirty little house without even blinking."Emily, hurry up. Logan is already ahead," Grace reminded her.Emily followed the voice and saw Logan standing next to James Taylor. James Taylor, dressed in a high-end suit, introduced Logan to other guests. These guests also appeared to be from high society.Sophia
Not far away, Logan was happily chatting with James Taylor, occasionally glancing at Sophia.It was clear that the topic of their conversation was Sophia.Grace was standing in a corner with Sophia, whispering instructions to her. Sophia nodded, looking very obedient, almost like a different person."Hi."Emily felt a tap on her shoulder.She turned around to see a beautiful and proud face. It was a girl of about 18, wearing a very luxurious princess dress, looking quite adorable."Do you have a moment?"Emily was puzzled, "Me?""Yes," the girl nodded. "Can you do me a favor?"Logan, Grace, and Sophia were all busy socializing, and Emily was standing there alone, feeling bored, so she agreed."What do you need help with?""Can you help me get my shoe down?" The girl led her to a large tree and pointed to a high-heeled shoe stuck in the branches. "It's all Jackson's fault. He threw my shoe up there. I'm so mad."Emily recognized the familiar name, "Excuse me... Are you talking about Ja
Bryden patted Janet's head, "Don't worry, I'll think of something.""What can you do? The banquet is about to start, and you're injured..."Bryden looked at the shoe in the tree, feeling troubled."Jackson went too far. How could he throw your shoe so high?"Janet pouted and defended Jackson, "He was the captain of the basketball team in school. Throwing a three-pointer is his specialty, so tossing a shoe is easy for him.""You still defend him. Let me guess, you were pestering him again, and he didn't want to talk to you, so he threw your shoe up there to get rid of you."Janet got angry, "Bryden Norman! One more word and I'll sever ties with you!"They kept bickering, but Emily could see they had a good relationship.Emily found it amusing. Mr. Satan was such a serious and composed person, yet he had such lively siblings. It was indeed interesting.However, Mr. Satan had mentioned that his parents were his foster parents, so he didn't share blood relations with these two. Hence, the
This news visibly hurt Bryden.Although he continued to smile and show Emily around his home, his expression was completely different from before. He was no longer shy but appeared somewhat dejected and disappointed.Emily noticed the change in his mood. "Thank you, Mr. Norman. I think we should end the tour here. You must be very busy today, so I won't take up more of your time."Bryden was taken aback, shaking his head. "It's okay. Look, there is a garden. It belongs to my elder brother. It's incredibly beautiful. It would be a shame if you missed it. Let me show you."Bryden Norman led her to the rose garden where she had met Mr. Satan earlier.This was another entrance, different from the one she had used before. However, from this perspective, the garden was still breathtakingly beautiful.The roses were tall and blooming brilliantly, like a sunset sky, radiant and splendid.Bryden said, "My elder brother loves roses. He's been cultivating this garden for over ten years. He doesn
Emily smiled and replied to him, "We had a nice chat. Your brother is adorable.""Thanks for the compliment.""I was complimenting your brother, not you.""You just said I'm the hero for you and our baby. I heard it. You were definitely praising me."This man was just too much…Emily shrugged and continued typing, "Were you following us just now?""No.""Then how did you hear our conversation?""I have my ways."This man was being mysterious again.Emily exited the chat and stopped looking at his messages.Everything she did was under his watch; she didn't need to communicate through messages about what she was doing.Emily continued walking and encountered Sophia and a young man at a corner.This young man spoke in perfect British English, looking like a well-educated member of high society.Sophia lowered her head, smiling shyly, "Why did you bring me here?""I wanted to talk to you," the young man smiled. "I like you, and I want to date you. I can't be affectionate with you in fron
The banquet reached its climax, and the host finally appeared.The crowd fell silent instantly.Having met Janet and Bryden, Emily knew that the hosts of this banquet were the low-profile wealthy Norman family.Janet and Bryden’s father was Alex Norman. He is around sixty, wearing a pure black suit. His robust physique and demeanor had the air of general, indicating a military background.Beside him stood an elegant middle-aged woman. It's Mrs. Norman.Compared to Alex's tall and burly figure, Mandy Norman was much smaller. Her face was delicate, and her figure was excellent. She seemed cautious, watching her husband give his speech with great respect."Thank you all for coming to our family banquet. We have prepared some food and drinks, and we hope you enjoy them."Alex's speaking style matched his physique perfectly. His voice was loud and rich. Even standing on the outskirts of the crowd, Emily could hear him clearly.In some ways, Janet and Bryden resembled their mother more.As
The Norman family's banquet was both lavish and grand.The hall was enormous, decorated with expensive furniture. In the center, a table made of high-quality wood was laden with exquisite food and tempting red wine.Everyone knew the theme of today's banquet. Thus, the invited guests had brought their wives and daughters. Emily even saw a middle-aged man enter the hall with six daughters.Joining the Norman family was an honor for any high-society girl, making today's banquet a battlefield in their eyes.Emily couldn't help but sigh. She certainly had many rivals..."Good evening, everyone," Alex Norman stood on the stage with his wife, Mandy. He raised his glass and smiled, "Please enjoy the food and drinks. I hope you all have a wonderful day."Although the food was tempting, the guests' attention was clearly not on it. They all focused on the members of the Norman family, specifically the Norman sons.Bryden and Janet stood to Mandy's right. They behaved politely, smiling and conve
The mask he wore today was different from the ones Emily had seen before.Emily blinked and looked closely, confirming her observation.When he was with her, Mr. Satan's mask was also white but simple and snugly fit his face. The mask he wore now was adorned with decorations, resembling something from a masquerade ball, completely different from before.However, his walking posture and the way he adjusted his sleeve were familiar. Emily was sure this man was Mr. Satan."Sophia, is that the man you went out with?" Grace whispered to Sophia.They stood far from the Norman family. The masked man was speaking quietly with Alex. From her distance, Sophia could barely make out his facial features.Sophia squinted, still uncertain, "I think so...""What do you mean 'think so'? You've already..." Grace caught herself before saying something too explicit. She glanced around nervously and whispered, "Look carefully. Is it him? Why is he wearing a mask?"Sophia nodded, "I think it's him. He invi
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