Mr. Satan leaned down and asked her, "Did you notice that girl was pregnant?"Emily nodded slightly. "Yeah, I noticed last night at the movie theater. Her belly isn't small, probably around the same stage as mine."She looked up at Mr. Satan and met his gaze. "I'm not doing this out of personal spite. But she's pregnant, and I guess she'll have to take a break from school or even drop out soon. She might not even get her high school diploma. Do you think she can still go to college? And with how recklessly bold she's acting right now, what if she ends up miscarrying? Wouldn't your company have to take responsibility?"Mr. Satan couldn't help but tap her on the nose, smiling. "You think of everything.""Oh my God, what did I just see! My eyes!!!" Ken suddenly yelled out dramatically.All the employees turned to look at them.They saw their boss acting like a bodyguard, wrapping Emily up tightly. They were stuck together like conjoined twins.Daniel clicked his tongue twice. "They're be
Thanks to Daniel and Ken, Emily quickly blended into the company.In the afternoon, Daniel held a meeting to discuss the apartment project.The blueprints were enlarged on the screen. Since they were hand-drawn and several years old, many of the details were no longer very clear.For the first time ever, Mr. Satan attended the meeting. No one seemed particularly interested in the mask on his face."They only care about work and their paychecks. Who signs them isn’t important," Mr. Satan explained.Emily nodded.Seeing the two of them close and whispering, Daniel joked, "Boss, could you be a bit more serious during the meeting? If you want to have a romantic chat, do it in the CEO’s office. You’ve been flaunting your relationship in front of all us single people all day—it’s too much!"Everyone followed Daniel’s gaze.Emily blushed and quickly pushed Mr. Satan away.But since Mr. Satan was sitting right next to her, his arm still rested on her back, and he leaned toward her without any
The party was scheduled for after work on Friday.The Starlight Entertainment building had several large halls, typically used for grand award ceremonies. The halls were spacious enough to comfortably accommodate both companies’ attendees.When Emily arrived with Mr. Satan, they only saw Allen Parker."Mr. Parker.""Emily.""Is Olivia not coming today?" Emily asked.Allen Parker smiled. "She... is still asleep."It was already past six in the evening, and she was still asleep?Hearing this, Mr. Satan smirked, pulling Emily closer. "Emily, let’s head inside."Emily, still concerned, asked, "Is Olivia sick? Why else would she still be asleep?"Mr. Satan leaned down to whisper in her ear, "…They probably stayed up too late last night… in bed."Emily’s face instantly turned red.She bit her lip, speechless.Seeing her reaction, Mr. Satan chuckled. "There’s nothing surprising about it. They’re grown adults and in the throes of a new relationship—it’s perfectly normal."Emily, still worried
Emily calmly replied, "My mother only gave birth to me; I don’t have a sister. I’m not sure who you’re talking about.""Are you pretending not to know?""And you’re doing the same."With just a few words, Emily effortlessly deflected Chloe’s attempt at provocation.Chloe’s lips were painted a striking red, and when she curled them into a smile, it gave her an air of harshness. "You’ve changed now that you have powerful backing. Marrying into the Norman family has really boosted your confidence. You’ve developed quite the temper.""We’re all the same," Emily said calmly. "Allen Parker and Olivia’s wedding is coming up soon. All your efforts have been in vain."Chloe’s face paled.She clearly didn’t expect Emily to know about her attempts to seduce Allen Parker.Chloe had entered the entertainment industry with the goal of marrying into a wealthy family. Allen Parker had indeed been her target, but with Emily being away from the company recently, how did she find out?"You seem to know
"Are you shy?" Satan asked, holding her close."Yes," Emily admitted.Satan tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her into his embrace. "I’m a little shy too."Emily glared at him. "Then why did you do that?""I couldn’t help myself."Emily’s face turned even redder.His voice dropped to a low murmur. "I couldn’t help wanting to tell the whole world that you’re mine."Emily playfully smacked him. "We both have a lot on our shoulders. It’s better to keep a low profile.""I know that," Satan replied, unable to suppress a smile. "But I just couldn’t help myself, so I did it."Emily teased, "We got kicked out because of you.""Are you blaming me?""Of course! You attract too much attention from the girls. Even with a mask on, you can’t stop them from admiring you."Satan chuckled. "Are you jealous?""No.""Really?""Really.""Alright, alright, you’re not jealous," Satan said, "So, where should we go now?"Emily wasn’t sure where they should go.Should they return to the company? Bu
Meanwhile, Allen Parker took Mr. Satan to his office.The entire floor was spacious and bright, filled with all kinds of relaxation and entertainment facilities—there was a movie room, a gaming room with the latest computers, and even a private dining area with a fridge packed full of goodies.Satan saw through it immediately. "You set all this up for Olivia, didn't you?"Allen Parker grabbed two cans of beer from the fridge, keeping one for himself and handing the other to Mr. Satan. "Who else? You know I never touch snacks."Mr. Satan chuckled, popped open the beer, and clinked it with Allen's. "Congrats, you finally got what you wanted.""Thanks," Allen Parker said with a faint smile. "By the way, about the Norman family... have you figured out what you're going to do?"Mr. Satan pressed his lips together tightly and shook his head. "My dad and grandma still want me to take over the Norman family business. I’ve refused so many times, but they just won’t give up."Allen Parker repli
Allen Parker closed his eyes briefly. "Alright, once you've made up your mind, no one can change it. Just tell me what you need me to do.""Two things," Mr. Satan replied. "First, I need you to keep an eye on my dad and grandma for me, especially my grandma. She raised me, and I can't stop worrying about her."Allen Parker nodded. "Sure, that's no problem. What's the second thing?""The second thing..." Mr. Satan's lips curled into a sharp smile. "Is that everything I've told you today can never be known by a third person, not even my dad or grandma."Allen Parker nodded again. "If they find out, they'll drag you back to take over the family business for sure. But what about Emily? Shouldn't she know?""No," Mr. Satan said firmly. "She's too soft-hearted."...By the time the two men came downstairs, more than an hour had passed.Emily was sitting on the couch, leaning back slightly, while Ken and Daniel, seated beside her, were laughing and chatting.Allen Parker walked over and aske
Satan looked at Emily with a hint of surprise, but more than that, admiration.If Emily hadn’t dropped out of school and had kept studying, she might have become a great designer like her mother. Even if she studied a different field, with her talent and hard work, she would’ve excelled in anything she chose.He was confident in that.“Emily, I’m giving you the night. Do you think you can fix this flaw?” Satan asked.Emily hesitated for a moment. “Me? I just had an idea, that’s all. I don’t really know what I’m doing, I just said it off the top of my head…”“Don’t be afraid. Just give it a try,” Satan encouraged her. “This is your mom’s design. I don’t want anyone else to change it. You’re the most suitable person to make adjustments.”Emily thought for a bit, then pressed her lips together and nodded. “You’re right. I’ll give it a shot.”“Don’t worry, this is just a copy, not the original. You can make changes based on your ideas, and we’ll discuss it tomorrow in the meeting,” 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