The sky in Berlin was slowly brightening.Lucas had been out all night searching for Amanda. When he returned, his eyes were bloodshot and filled with guilt.Emily quickly called his assistant and helped Lucas into a room, laying him on the bed."I'll get him some water, Emily. Can you keep an eye on him?" the assistant said.Emily nodded.Judging by Lucas's appearance, he hadn't found Amanda.He lay on the bed with his arm over his face, lips tightly shut, not saying a word."Lucas...""Emily... I failed Amanda..."When Lucas spoke, Emily almost didn't recognize his voice.Lucas's voice used to be loud, deep, and slightly raspy, perfect for rock music. Now, it was rough and hoarse, barely coherent."I failed her..."Emily handed him some tissues. "Lucas, calm down. We need to stay strong to save Amanda."Lucas sniffled and wiped his face with his arm. "Did you call the police?""I did, but I don’t speak German. I got someone to help me report it, and the police are searching."Lucas
Emily couldn't help but laugh.Amanda shrugged, looking a bit exasperated. "Emily, I have a feeling.""What kind of feeling?""Sophia and Grace's good days are numbered," Amanda grinned. "She got someone to harm you, and that person turned out to be my first boyfriend. It's hilarious! Sophia is probably daydreaming right now. She thinks that if you were assaulted, the Norman family would reject you, and she would have a chance. Emily, do you think she's crazy? What benefit does she get from hurting you? Her reputation is already ruined. She'll never marry a rich man!"Emily's smile faded slightly. "Maybe she doesn't need any benefits. She just wants to see me suffer and feel happy.""She's a psychopath! When you were with Nathan, she seduced him. Now that you’re engaged to Mr. Norman, she's trying to marry into the Norman family again. Does she enjoy being a mistress and ruining other people's lives?"Emily sighed. "Who knows. Maybe being a mistress excites her more."Amanda patted he
Olivia had a whole series of activities planned for Emily.As soon as Emily got off the plane, Olivia picked her up. "I'm throwing you a bachelorette party.""A bachelorette party?""Yes, to celebrate your last moments of freedom before marriage. Once you're married, you'll be busy taking care of your husband and child, constantly running around the kitchen and bathroom."Emily chuckled awkwardly. "Olivia, you don't need to be so afraid of marriage.""That's impossible. Emily, I'm telling you, there's no way I would ever get married. If I have to take care of a man and be his maid, it better be God himself."Emily teased her, "Not even your idol, Lucas?"Olivia raised an eyebrow, keeping her eyes on the road. "An idol is just an idol. After meeting him, I'm even more certain. I like the Lucas in my head, not the real him. Seeing him still makes my heart race, but marry him? No way, not happening."Emily laughed. "What if you meet your true love?""True love? Emily, men in this world a
Dylan held Mr. Satan's phone in his hand, Emily's name displayed on the screen, but he couldn't answer it right now.The phone rang incessantly, making him anxious. When the ringing finally stopped, he breathed a sigh of relief.His boss had too many secrets, and Emily was too smart. He feared that if he answered, he might inadvertently reveal something and cause trouble for his boss.They were at a law firm. Mr. Satan had been inside for over two hours and still hadn't come out.A few minutes later, the phone rang again.It was Emily, once more.He endured another agonizing three minutes until the ringing stopped, nearly throwing the phone in frustration.Just then, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance of the law firm.Dylan, seeing his boss, hurried over as if he had seen a savior. "Boss...""Hmm?" Mr. Satan seemed distracted, lost in thought, and not particularly interested in talking.Dylan handed him the phone. "Boss, Emily called."Mr. Satan finally focused. "Did you answe
In the hospital.Dylan's injuries were more severe and he was taken for further examination. The doctor disinfected Mr. Satan's wounds, and bandaged them."...Luckily, your wounds aren't too deep. Keep them dry for the next seven days.""Hmm," Mr. Satan stood up to leave. "Thank you."The doctor sighed. "Sir, our hospital has an excellent plastic surgery department. There are many ways to remove the scars on your face. You don't need to wear a mask all the time—it must be quite inconvenient for your daily life..."Mr. Satan had heard this many times. Every time he visited the hospital, doctors would say the same thing.But he always refused.As a child, he thought the scar should serve as a reminder of the painful past and the betrayal he had endured. Even up until today, he felt the same.But now..."Doctor, is there a way to restore my original appearance?"The doctor pondered for a moment. "The best method is skin grafting. That would yield the best results.""How long would that t
The sky gradually darkened.The dusky sunlight seemed to be desperately emitting its last rays of warmth. The setting sun flushed red, straining to leave its final trace of heat on the land.Waves of heat rolled in, bringing with them the stifling warmth of evaporating dew from the countryside. In a confined space, the only sound was the faint crying, laden with fear, unwillingness, and despair.Jackson sat on a wooden bench, holding a yellowed diary, flipping through it page by page.At his feet, Emma had her hands bound. Her eyes and mouth were covered, rendering her blind and mute to her surroundings."Well, well, your handwriting is quite good."Jackson closed the diary, sneering. "For over twenty years, your perseverance is truly commendable. You've meticulously recorded every bribe you've taken."Emma's body shrank. "I've already been ruined. What more do you want from me?"Jackson smirked. "What do you think?""I..." Emma hesitated. "Are you a relative of one of my patients? Ho
Seeing Emma for the first time, Emily almost didn't recognize her.In her memory, Emma was a sharp and capable woman with short hair.But who was this disheveled, pitiful woman before her?Jackson walked over and nudged Emma with his foot. "Hey!"Emma shuddered in fear, curling up in the corner."Now, you answer whatever we ask, got it?"Emma nodded quickly. "I will, I will. I won't dare to lie."Her eyes were still covered, making it impossible to see who was in front of her. She tilted her head slightly, waiting for the questions to begin.Jackson took out a recorder from his pocket, switched it on, and placed it in front of Emma.He signaled to Emily with his eyes. "You can start."Emily nodded, taking a deep breath to calm herself."Twenty-seven years ago, there was a pregnant woman named Lisa. What was the cause of her death?"Upon hearing the name "Lisa," Emma's head shot up. "Who... who are you?""Tell me!!!"Emma hesitated for a moment, her body trembling like the withered lea
When the truth unfolded before her, Emily could barely hear what Emma was saying anymore. She only saw Emma's mouth moving, her expression a mix of guilt and more prominently, resentment.Who was she resenting?It was Emily's mother who died. What right did Emma have to be resentful?"Emily!""Emily!"Who was calling her?Emily frowned, feeling a sharp pain in her hand. Her hand was bleeding.Olivia was petrified by Emily's sudden action, standing there frozen. Jackson, though slightly more composed, also looked distressed.Emily’s hand still clutched two broken pieces of wood, with splinters scattered on the ground. The wood was stained with dark red spots. Whether it was paint or blood was unclear."Emily, I know you're in a lot of pain right now, but try to calm down..." Jackson held her hand, which was as cold as ice. He squeezed it, hoping his warmth could reach her, but Emily seemed soulless, hearing nothing, reacting to nothing.Olivia snapped out of her shock and hurriedly hel
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