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 timeâit 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.Emilyâs 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
Emily's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.Everything was dark around her, with only a small light on the car roof.The dim light cast a shadow over half her face, making her look even more pale and haggard.Jackson frowned and softened his voice, âEmilyâŠââThank you, Jackson,â Emily forced a smile. âWhatever the truth is, I can accept it. My mother canât just die in vain. Iâve been her daughter for twenty-seven years, and Iâve never done anything for her.âJackson sighed, âDonât be sad, Emily. This isnât your fault. You donât know the grudges of the previous generation, so why punish yourself for their mistakes?ââIâm not sad,â Emily turned to look at him. Their eyes met, and Jackson wanted to pull her into his arms, but his rational mind told him he couldnât. She was already engaged to another man, carrying his child, and had a bright future ahead. He couldnât ruin it for his own selfish reasons.âIâm angry,â Emily said.Her biological father had taken her motherâs l
In the familiar room 2307, Emily found a long-lost sense of security.To be precise, it was Mr. Satanâs warm embrace that made her feel so protected. She snuggled against his shoulder, relishing the feeling of being safe.âEmily.ââYeah?âMr. Satan sat down on the sofa with her on his lap, gently combing a few strands of her hair with his fingers. âHow are you feeling?âEmily, holding onto his neck, felt sleepy. â...I should be okay.ââShould be?ââHere,â she pressed on her chest. âIt still hurts a bit. Youâre right, anger and resentment only feel better when let out.âMr. Satan chuckled softly, tapping her nose. âYou were fierce today, almost putting a hole in Emmaâs head.âEmily shrank into his arms. â...You know about that?ââI told you, I know everything about you.ââMr. Satan, sometimes I really suspect you have a camera on me, watching live broadcasts all the time.âMr. Satan shifted her in his arms and laughed. âIf the law and you allowed it, I think itâs a good idea. At least
Allen Parker said, "From my observations, and from Oliviaâs point of view, I think Emily wonât be blinded by hatred. Her feelings for you arenât fake. Sheâll cherish you."âNo,â Mr. Satan replied. âFrom the moment she moved into the Morganâs house to investigate her motherâs death, I knew she harbored hatred. She can overlook other things, but when it comes to her bottom line, she can be ruthless.âAllen Parker fell silent at these words.As someone who knew Mr. Satanâs secret, Allen Parker felt a deep sense of powerlessness.It seemed like God had been toying with these two unfortunate souls. One was abandoned by his mother in a fire, the other betrayed by her husband and cousin.But they met, fell in love, and just when they were about to live a happy life, their past pains became their stumbling blocks.Carol and Nathan, these two names were destined to be their doom.For over twenty years, these names had been demons, persistent sources of pain for Mr. Satan.Allen Parker sighed d
After hanging up, Satan stood on the balcony for a while, letting the cold wind blow away the smell of smoke on him.Emily, pregnant, couldnât stand the smell of smoke.He turned to look at the bedroom, where Emily was still asleep on the large bed.A series of busy events and setbacks had worn her out. Mr. Satan looked at her sleeping face and slightly curled his lips.She was only twenty-six, yet she had already endured a lifetimeâs worth of experiences.The father she had longed for over twenty years had become someone elseâs husband and father. Her motherâs death, caused by her fatherâs abandonment, was a burden Emily couldnât bear.He and Emily were very similar. They were both abandoned by their parents.But their choices were the same. He fought to survive and had grown strong enough for revenge, while Emily had also fought to persist, though her struggles were greater. He had the Norman family, while Emily only had a sick adoptive father and countless troubles.Back in the bed
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 theyâd 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, sheâd embraced her role in helping Allen manage the family business, but her girlish side was still evident. âEmily!â Olivia squealed as she hugged her f
"Three years ago, I nearly died." Emily snatched her passport back from Sophiaâs hand. "This British couple is my family. Theyâre good people. They saved me and took me to England."She held the passport firmly. "And yet, you still wouldnât let me go. You went to every length to forge my death certificate.""Do you all want to know why they wouldnât leave a âdeadâ woman alone?" Emily let out a bitter laugh. "Because this was their only chance to inherit the wealth I left behind.""I didnât die; Iâm alive and back to reclaim whatâs rightfully mine. This time, no one will hurt me. Sophia, you and your mother wonât steal my inheritance, and you wonât 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
âI know,â Emily said firmly.When Vincent slid the ring onto her finger, she felt a flash of disbelief. Sheâd expected Sophia to pull something, but Vincentâs unwavering stance took her by surprise. Itâs overâeverythingâs finally over.Emilyâs eyes glistened with tears.The priestâs voice resonated, âThe groom may now kiss the brideâŠâEmily 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. âGo on, kiss her; sheâs yours now.âVincent didnât hesitate, pulling Emily into a kiss. âYouâre my wife, Emily. Finally.âEmily smiled through her tears. âYes, Iâm finally your wife.âVincent turned with Emily still in his embrace, facing the crowd. âEmily and I are together now, and nothing will ever come between us again.âThe guests watched, Meggie wiping tears of joy from her eyes.But Sophia wasnât 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 weddingâs head organizer, invitations bore Emily's name, revealing to everyone that Mirandaâthe talented designer making waves at the Pritzker Architecture Prizeâwas indeed Emily.The announcement stunned all of New York and the entire architecture community. So Miranda is really Emily? People couldnât believe the cityâs 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 fumingâsheâd barely started her schemes with Grace to find Vincent a âsuitableâ bride, only to be blindsided by this wedding! She muttered, âWasnât he supposed to be so deeply in love with Emily? Now heâs marrying someone else so fast?âMeggie overheard and firmly replied, âThe bride is Emily.ââOh, come on, Mom. Sheâs notââ
Emily suddenly felt super self-conscious. âFine, Iâll drink it. But after Iâm done, go back to your office!âWith 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, âPeople are watching!âVincent seemed completely unfazed and continued, âItâs freezing outside, so donât go out. I already asked Dylan to pick up lunch for us; heâll bring it up, and weâll eat together.ââ...Okay.âHeâs gotta be done now, right? Emily thought to herself, hoping heâd leave before the entire office saw this unfold live.âOh, one more thing,â Vincent added nonchalantly, âDonât rush off after work. Weâll swing by and pick up your uncle first, then head to my place for dinner with my dad and Meggie.âEmily blink
As soon as Allen left the hospital room, Jackson turned pale and, with a sudden heave, threw up everything heâd 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. âStay,â he commanded.The nurse looked at him with wide eyes, almost on the verge of tears as she saw his ashen face. âSir, if youâre unwell, you really should let the doctor checkâââIâm not unwell,â Jackson replied, his voice cold, with a glint of harshness in his eyes. The nurse flinched slightly at his intense gaze.âAre you scared of me?â he asked, a smirk playing on his lips.âN-no, not at all,â the nurse stammered, shaking her head. âItâs justâŠââDonât worry about it,â he said, a faint sneer forming. âFear is natural. Iâve never been the nicest person, and I donât pretend to be.ââOh no, youâre a good person, sir! You⊠well, you pay me well,â she replied hesitantly.âMoney alone doesnât make someone good,â 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 Yorkâs 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. âAny plans for Christmas?âShe paused. âNot really. Iâll probably just stay in and watch TV with Bert.âHe nodded without pressing further. Emily wondered what had prompted him to ask; heâd 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. âThen let me take you to meet my family! Youâre amazingâthey just donât know you yet. Once they do, theyâll definitely support us being together. That way, we wonât have to choose, and we can stay together, right?ââWhat if they still donât agree?ââIâll talk to them. Iâm committed to you for life. Theyâll have to come around, whether they agree or not!âEmily couldnât help but laugh. âBut I donât agree.âJackson 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. âEmily, are you worried because my parents donât like you? If I love you, their initial reservations donât matter; theyâll come to accept it.ââThatâs part of it,â Emily admitted, âbut thereâs a more important reasonâŠâA sinking feeling came over Jackson. ââŠWhat is it?ââŠâŠWeather forecasts are rarely reliable, but this time, it turned out to be spot on.By evening, the sky was filled
Emily didnât say anything, but her mind was a mess.âYou donât need to say so many sentimental things,â she replied softly. âFor Meggieâs sake, Iâll go through with the wedding. Donât worry.ââBut I donât want a fake wedding,â Satan replied. âI want it to be real.âThe 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 Hiltonâs entrance, she asked, âDid you drive here?ââI took a cab.ââDid you sneak out again?âSatan shrugged with a wry smile. âDylanâs been keeping too close an eye on me.âWith no other option, Emily walked to the curb and flagged down a taxi for him, signaling for him to hurry up.âTo St. Maryâs Hospital, please,â she instructed, then turned back to him. âWhen you get there, have Dylan call me to let me know you arrived safely, okay?âHe nodded. âAnd what about you? What