Emily chuckled, "She hasn't even realized she's the future Mrs. Parker. How could she think comprehensively?"Amanda laughed, "You're right."At the celebration party, everyone drank a bit too much.Especially a few male staff members, who started draping arms around each other and lamenting about their hardships for the concert."I lost seven or eight pounds!""My hair’s half gone!""My girlfriend broke up with me..."Indeed, the last statement was the most severe.The others patted him on the shoulder to comfort him, "Bro, if you really like her, go get her back! There's nothing much to do here in Berlin now. We’ll cover for you. Go apologize and win her back."Lucas heard this too and said, "You should go. I don't need you for the next few days. This is more important."Emily sipped her juice slowly. It was only now she realized that the one who lost his girlfriend was Lucas's assistant. He had helped her with her luggage once, though Mr. Satan took over after arriving.She had a g
Amanda's smile seemed a bit forced. Emily was getting more and more worried. “Why don’t you ask a male colleague to go with you? It’s really not safe for you to go alone. Better be careful.”Amanda laughed bitterly. “Emily, do you know who’s looking for me?”Emily shook her head.“It’s the local gang,” Amanda said. “But these people are easy to deal with. They saw our concert was a huge hit and wanted to collect some protection money. I just need to give them some cash. But I can't take you back to the hotel tonight. You should stay here at this hotel, don’t go back. You’re pregnant, you need to be careful.”Emily nodded. “I understand.”“I’m leaving now. Confirm your return time with me and send me a message. I’ll book your tickets.”With that, Amanda hurried away.Berlin was chilly at dawn, and Emily couldn’t help but shiver. She had a bad feeling.She went to the front desk and booked a room, took the elevator, swiped her card, and opened the door.All her luggage was still in the
Meanwhile, in the United States, the sun was blazing, making it hard for people to breathe.Grace was sitting on the sofa in a red camisole nightgown, talking on the phone.“…Mandy, if you’re going to blame me for this, it’s really unfair. A lot of people know about Emily and Nathan’s marriage. You can ask around; they were married for four years…”“No record with the government? I have no idea about that. I was in Europe when they got married. They definitely were married. Mandy, calm down. Someone is definitely messing with us. I’m not lying to you… No, I’m not trying to use you. I genuinely see you as a friend…”“Well, if that’s how you want to think, there’s nothing I can do. I told you this to help you, but it seems to have backfired on me. You don’t have to call me to scold me. I have a clear conscience in what I do. As for the missing marriage records, that’s definitely linked to Vincent…”“Yes, I can’t provide evidence. I can’t prove that I’m telling the truth, so go ahead and
“Don’t be so confident. Men are good at deception. Are you sure he’ll trouble Emily?”Sophia replied, “He should. I cried my heart out on the phone, telling him how Emily abused me. He was furious. I think it should be fine.”Grace asked, “When did you call him?”“Seven hours ago,” Sophia said. “It’s nighttime in Germany now. Gangsters operate at night. I’m just waiting for news. If he doesn’t act, I’ll call and provoke him again. Emily is only in Germany for a week. We can’t miss this chance. Mom, what do you think?”Grace didn’t object.She thought for a moment and then instructed, “Does Emily know about your relationship with him?”“No, how could she know? If she did, she wouldn’t have given me money for my education.”“That’s good,” Grace said. “Let’s wait. If he can handle it, great. If not… I have other ways.”Just then, Logan pushed open the door and came in, his face dark and brooding.“Grace, come with me.”Grace smiled, “Logan, it’s only 2 PM. Why are you back so early?”Log
Logan exploded in anger, “You dare threaten me?! Looks like I’ve been too lenient with you, letting you act so recklessly!”“Lenient?” Grace replied coldly. “Logan, over the years, if it wasn’t for my constant strategizing behind the scenes, do you think you’d have the success you have today?”Logan, hit where it hurt, retorted fiercely, “My reputation, my wealth, they are all due to my own abilities.”“Really? Without me, where would you have gotten your study abroad opportunity?” Grace shot back. “Logan, it’s been over twenty years, and our lives are deeply entwined. But if you want to tally up everything, I can too. Your study abroad opportunity, your design award, the things you had Emma do—I remember it all…”“Shut up!” Logan shouted angrily, grabbing a table lamp and smashing it on the ground. “Get out! We’re getting a divorce!”Grace stood up straight, her gaze icy. “You’re throwing me out?”“Get out, do you hear me? Take your malicious daughter and get out of my house!”Logan
"Alright, I understand," James saved the recording. "Leave this to me. You don’t need to worry."Logan expressed his gratitude, "Mr. Taylor, you truly are my benefactor."James laughed heartily, "I still have a few matters to attend to, so I’ll let you go for now.""Alright, alright."James ended the call with a cold laugh, throwing his phone aside in disgust.Olivia quickly approached him, "Dad! Did that bastard admit to it?""He has some brains," James snorted. "He only denied having feelings for Emily’s mother, without detailing the past situation. But it’s clear that he’s a hypocrite."Olivia cursed, "Damn it! What did Emily’s mother see in him?""Probably his hard-working nature," James sighed regretfully. "Olivia, you need to be sharp. You’re my only daughter, don’t let those bad men deceive you."Olivia confidently patted her chest, "Don’t worry, don’t worry, your daughter is very smart.""I’d be at ease if you were half as smart as Emily," James asked. "How’s Emily doing latel
As she left, Grace hadn’t brought her wallet and didn’t have any cash.She had assumed she could use electronic payment, but Logan had frozen all her bank accounts linked to her phone!From the time they left Morgan's house to getting into the taxi and arriving at Times Square, it had only been twenty minutes. Logan had cut off all their financial resources!"Sophia, do you have any money on you?"Sophia shook her head repeatedly, "I didn’t bring my wallet either. Where would I get money?"Grace was anxious and angry, "Can you use electronic payment on your phone? Logan froze all my accounts, but he can’t touch yours! Pay the taxi fare first. There are so many people around; we don’t want to be recognized."Sophia said, "Mom, I don’t have any money…"Grace immediately lost her temper, "At a time like this, you’re still playing your little games? Haven’t I given you enough money before? And now you say you don’t have any?"The driver, growing increasingly impatient, blocked their path,
The driver picked up the watch and examined it under the sunlight, frowning. "How do I know if this is real or fake?""This can’t possibly be fake! We bought it at a boutique! Don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know anything!" Sophia glared at him.The driver smirked, "You can’t even afford the taxi fare, but you claim to have a thirty-thousand-dollar watch? Anyone can make up stories. Scammers these days are getting more sophisticated. What’s wrong with me questioning it?""Don’t push your luck! We’ve already made a big concession!"The driver laughed, "If you put it that way, I really need to get to the bottom of this today. I don’t want this watch. Take it back. You must give me cash today. I only take cash. Without it, you’re not leaving!""You..." Sophia’s eyes reddened with anger, "You’re just a scoundrel!""Try calling me that again?" The driver was enraged, "I’ve been polite enough not to say certain things in front of everyone to save your face. But if you talk to me like that,
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