"But I just had surgery," Penelope smirked. "Simon, I just aborted a child. If you don’t agree, I'll tell Emily that this child was yours."Mr. Satan's fury exploded. "Penelope, are you crazy?""I'm not crazy. I'm just an ordinary woman longing for love. What's wrong with that?"Penelope’s face was filled with deep sorrow as she continued, "Simon, you’re no different from your brother. Both of you abandoned a woman who stayed by your side for four years for another woman. Emily is just lucky. You've pined for her for so many years, waited for her even after she got married, and rushed to her side the moment she divorced. But did you ever think about me? Do you know how painful it was when you threw a check at me and told me to leave New York?""My patience is limited, Penelope. I hope you understand that."Penelope sneered. "What are you going to do? Kill me?""Penelope, I don't do illegal things.""Is that so?" Penelope continued to smile, but a tear hung from the corner of her eye.
Lately, TV shows have been a bit dull.Emily flipped through more than a hundred channels, but she couldn't find a single show she liked.Finally, she reluctantly chose a variety show. A group of celebrities were playing games, laughing and joking. It seemed like it could cheer her up a bit.The phone rang.She picked it up—it was Olivia calling.She wasn’t exactly disappointed, just feeling a bit foolish. She had already heard a woman's voice on the other end of his phone. What was she still hoping for?"Hello? Olivia?"Olivia sounded quite frustrated. "Emily, there's been a problem with my family's company. My dad had a high blood pressure attack, and I'm at the hospital now. I won't be home tonight. Make sure you lock all the doors and windows and get some rest."James Taylor's company was in trouble?Taylor's company had always been a close partner of the Norman family. How could it suddenly be in trouble?"How is your dad doing? Can you handle it by yourself? I'll come over and h
Emily wasn't naive. Before coming to this meeting today, she had considered that the woman she was about to face could very well be Satan's beloved.But when Penelope looked at her with a calm smile, Emily still felt her heart plummet."Penelope," Emily took a deep breath, "there’s no need to tell me about your past with him. Everyone has a past."Penelope raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "You're right, everyone does have a past. But do you really deserve him? You’re Nathan’s ex-wife, and everyone in New York knows that. Now you’re going to marry his brother? Even if you don’t care, you should at least consider his reputation."Emily suddenly smiled. "Reputation? The most useless thing in the world is reputation. Penelope, I came here today to hear about Emma, not to listen to you talk about your past with him. If you’re not going to talk about Emma, then there’s no need for us to continue this conversation. This one's on me, as his fiancée. Treating one of his exes to coffee is
The phone rang for what felt like an eternity, but Penelope didn't dare to reach for it.Eventually, the ringing ceased.Emily let out a cold chuckle and pocketed her phone.This farce had dragged on long enough.She stood up. "Penelope, this is our first meeting. I'm giving you a chance, so make the most of it."With that, she walked straight to the counter. "Hello, I'd like to settle the bill."The waiter responded quickly. "Yes, ma'am. Your total is seventy-four dollars."Emily smiled lightly. "Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm only paying for my hot milk."The waiter blinked in confusion, then quickly recovered. "Oh, right. The milk is ten dollars.""Alright." Emily paid and left.As soon as she stepped outside, she saw a black SUV parked by the roadside.A familiar figure leaned against the car door, facing the café entrance.What was he doing?Watching the show?Emily walked past him and headed in the opposite direction.She had barely taken a few steps when she felt a pair of strong a
However, things did not go as smoothly as they had anticipated.Emily found herself cornered in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel.Mr. Satan had gone to park the car in the underground garage, leaving her to head upstairs alone. But to her surprise, Logan Morgan was waiting for her in the lobby.Logan Morgan, still dressed in his usual suit, greeted her with a warm, paternal smile. He blocked her path with confidence. "Emily."Emily frowned, taking a step back to maintain some distance.The image of him choking Grace in the alley still haunted her.Logan Morgan smiled again, maintaining his calm and affable demeanor. "Don’t be afraid. I’m your father; I won't hurt you. I must have startled you by showing up so suddenly."Emily glanced around. The hotel lobby was bustling as usual, with people coming and going, but no one seemed to notice them."What are you doing here?""My daughter," Logan Morgan said with a feigned tenderness. "You moved out of the house without telling me. I know every
Logan Morgan looked around stealthily. People had already recognized him, and some had taken out their phones to snap pictures and record videos.“Emily, things aren't as simple as you think. The events of those years were very complicated. You can’t just believe what Grace says...”Emily chuckled, nodding as she crossed her arms and sat down on the sofa. “Alright, I’m free today. Why don’t you tell me the whole story? I’d love to hear why you took your wife’s... oh no, your ex-wife’s designs to a competition and won first prize with them?”Logan’s face turned red with anger. “She told you about that?”“I told you, I know what I need to know. And what Grace wouldn’t say, others did.”Logan fell silent.Emily wasn’t in a rush. She sat while Logan stood, and she could see his eyes darting around, clearly calculating, trying to come up with an excuse that might convince her of his innocence.But Emily wasn’t stupid.Her bag vibrated with a call.She took out her phone and saw it was Mr.
His words made Emily understand just how shameless Logan could be.He could lie without even batting an eye.Emily thought sadly, did her mother choose to be with him because of his lies too?From appearance to family background and talent, Logan Morgan was not impressive, but his words were very convincing.Lisa was only twenty-two when she gave birth to her. Before that, she had been Logan Morgan's classmate for several years.A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, how could she possibly outwit such a calculating man?But it was too late to say anything now. Her mother had been gone for nearly twenty-seven years, while Logan lived a respectable life, enjoying wealth and praise thanks to the daughter she gave birth to—According to him, all the wrongs were Grace's doing. He was innocent."Really?" Emily's heart felt icy cold.Whether from guilt or realizing his lies wouldn't work, Logan stopped pretending, "Emily, you're grown up now, almost a mother yourself. You should be rational
Emily looked up in surprise, “They plan to pin Emma's death on me?”“Yes,” Mr. Satan replied softly. “Jackson was too careless.”“He was just trying to help me...”“I know, which is why I don’t blame him. Emma, who had lost all morals for money, deserved her fate, but her death has made many things more complicated.”Emily's shoulders slumped. “It’s my fault. I couldn't hold back and ended up hurting her…”“I know,” Mr. Satan said, handing a cup of hot water and placing it in her hands. “Have some water. You've talked a lot today; you must be thirsty.”The glass was warm, almost hot, but drinkable—the perfect temperature.This was the temperature she was most accustomed to.She always had a sensitive stomach and preferred drinking water slightly hotter than usual, something Mr. Satan remembered.She took a small sip, feeling the warmth slide down her throat and settle comfortably in her stomach.He turned off the lights, plunging the room into darkness.Emily was startled, “Mr. Satan?
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