The CEO of Stardream Group turned out to be a young British man, barely in his early thirties. He had the quintessential English look—fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. Everything about him exuded politeness and the mannerisms of a classic English gentleman."Hello, Miss Carter. Welcome to Stardream," he greeted with a smile, his voice warm and professional.Emily returned his smile with grace. "It’s an honor to be here."“Haha, I saw you on the live broadcast during the Pritzker Prize ceremony, and now meeting you in person... You really are the quintessential beauty.”Emily smiled politely. "You’re a true British gentleman.""Charming," the man laughed. "Let me introduce myself properly. I’m Adam, the current CEO of Stardream. I recently took over the company and am eager to build my leadership team. I admire your expertise, and I’d like to offer you the position of Director of Design. I believe my HR director already discussed the salary and benefits with you over the phone, but
Emily raised her hand with a smirk. “Come on, let’s go. What do you want to eat? Today’s my treat.”Jackson exaggerated his reaction, feigning shock. “Wow, the Director of Design at Stardream Group is treating me to a meal? What an honor! I think I should commemorate this moment somehow.”“How are you going to—hey, what are you doing?”Before Emily could finish her sentence, Jackson pulled her into an embrace, wrapping his arm around her waist and planting a quick kiss on her cheek. He snapped a selfie at the same time, capturing the moment.“What the—”Jackson looked smugly at the picture on his phone, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. “Finally! After all these years, I’ve managed to steal a kiss.”Emily frowned and reached into her bag for a tissue to wipe her face. “You got your saliva all over me.”But Jackson grabbed her hand before she could wipe it off. “Nope, no wiping. This is my first kiss, and it’s too memorable. I need to take more pictures before you erase it.”
After finishing their ramen, Jackson mentioned he wanted to wander around the area, while Emily returned to the office.As soon as she got back, HR delivered some news. “Miranda, your assistant Amy has completed her onboarding process. We’ve set up her desk right outside your office. Is that arrangement okay with you?”Amy is here too? Emily thought with some surprise. Although Amy could be clumsy and a bit unreliable at times, Emily had grown to enjoy working with her. She had a way of lifting Emily’s spirits, especially when things got tough. Amy was like a little ball of sunshine.Just as HR was explaining, Amy peeked through the office door. As soon as she saw Emily, her face broke into a huge smile, and she waved energetically. “Miranda! It’s me, Amy!”The HR rep frowned slightly at her outburst, but Emily quickly stepped in. “It’s fine. Please set up Amy’s desk right beside mine in the office.”“In the office? Are you sure?” the HR rep asked, hesitating. “Normally, assistants si
"Bob, please leave now!" Amy exclaimed, pushing against him as Bob easily dodged her attempts, his eyes locking onto Emily's."Miss Carter, show me your capabilities," Bob said calmly, his gaze unwavering. "Prove to me that your success isn't just based on your looks."Amy, enraged, yelled, "You're being completely unreasonable! You know perfectly well that this design couldn't be revised in a week, let alone overnight! Miranda is your superior, not your subordinate, and she doesn’t need to prove herself to you. Her abilities have already been recognized by the company, and whether or not you accept that is irrelevant!"“Oh, assistant,” Bob replied, a smile curling at his lips—a mix of provocation and challenge. “You’re wrong about that. If it weren’t for her sudden arrival, I would have been promoted to director. I’m not blindly dismissing her, but I need her to prove her abilities to me, to show that she’s not just a pretty face stealing something that should’ve been mine.”So that’
Protection?She no longer needed anyone’s protection. She was her own armor now.In the meeting room, more than three hundred members of the design department were already seated. A secretary was going around, pouring water for everyone.But the table in front of them was bare—no documents, no agenda. Nobody knew what this meeting was about. Many of the men in the room exchanged disdainful glances.“Ugh, why does a woman like that even bother working? Wouldn’t she be better off waiting at home for a man to satisfy her?”“Maybe her man can’t satisfy her. That’s why she’s out here, working and hunting for more.”“Hahaha, you guys are too blunt. Don’t hurt my little princess—I love her. I’m going to pursue her.”“Pursue her? She’s your boss now, and her salary’s probably ten times yours.”“So what? A man liking a woman shouldn’t be about salary, should it?”“Not usually, but let’s be real. Once a woman has money, she’ll just look for an even wealthier man. Someone like Adam, at least a C
Emily's statement stirred the entire room.Bob was the first to attack: "It seems Miranda is quite confident? This design isn't just my work; it’s the result of over a hundred people working for more than a month. And you dismiss it with a single sentence? Aren't you being a bit too confident?"Emily replied calmly, "I have every reason to be confident.""And what reason is that? Your pretty face or your impressive chest?""Those too. Thanks for the compliment. But I’d prefer if you focused on more than just my appearance. Otherwise, I'll start thinking you only have eyes that work, and your brain is just for decoration."Bob hadn’t expected her to push back so assertively. He was caught off guard, and his face darkened. "Miranda, you’d better hope your skills match your attitude. Otherwise, you'll only ruin the little goodwill you have.""In this company, I'm the head of the design department. I don't need goodwill. I need compliance."With that, Emily turned on the projector. The sc
Satisfied?Whether Bob is satisfied or not is no longer important.Her abilities have been proven before everyone's eyes.The original design, which took over a month to create, was revamped by Miranda in just half an hour, including reverse engineering the original data.The total salaries of over a hundred people in a month couldn’t compare to the value she generated in half an hour. Who could still question her high salary?Amy was even more excited than Miranda, starting the applause. Gradually, a few more joined in, and soon the entire room, except for Bob, was filled with thunderous applause.Adam clapped along, his face glowing with pride.Look at this—he chose the right person.He may have offered a high salary, but she was worth it!No one dared to utter another word of doubt!“Miranda, you’re amazing! You’re my goddess now!” Amy exclaimed, jumping up to hug her.Miranda laughed and gently freed herself from Amy's embrace. “My dear assistant, could you please make me a cup of
Jackson was unusually serious, with snowflakes covering his hair and shoulders, as if he had been waiting in the snow for quite a while.The bright red roses in his arms were dusted with white snow, creating a stunning contrast that filled the air with a subtle fragrance.Holding the enormous bouquet close, Jackson, towering over others, seemed to struggle a bit with the weight. He knelt in the snow, looking up at her: “Emily, give me a chance to take care of you for the rest of your life. You can evaluate me for as long as you want. If you have any concerns, you can end our relationship at any time and we can go back to being friends, or even strangers. I won’t complain.”The sudden seriousness from someone usually playful left Miranda at a loss.“Jackson, stop joking around, get up…”“Promise me,” Jackson insisted. “I’ve nearly ordered all the roses in London for you. At least give me some reaction?”Onlookers pulled out their phones to capture the moment, chanting in English, “Marr
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