Meggie seemed especially cheerful today, constantly asking Bella to go instruct the kitchen to prepare Emily’s favorite dishes."Oh, and make sure they prepare a pot of duck soup, with ginseng, astragalus, and goji berries. It's great for women, both nourishing and beautifying," Meggie said, examining Emily's face closely, looking a little sad. "Why have you lost weight again?"Emily kept her gentle smile, comforting her, "I was dieting.""No more dieting, young lady," Meggie scolded gently. "The most important thing is to be healthy. Beauty is only skin deep, but your health is what truly matters. Look, you’ve lost weight and you look different, but I can still recognize you because your heart has always been pure and warm. Don’t think I’m just an old fool."Bella hesitated, but in the end, she said nothing and quickly went downstairs to instruct the kitchen.Half an hour later, a large table full of dishes was brought up. Bella was getting old, so the food was now being delivered by
On the way back, both of them remained silent. Emily was lost in thought, trying to figure out how to tell Jackson about the situation, while Vincent was uncharacteristically quiet, avoiding any discussion about their past.The car pulled up to the Hilton Hotel entrance. Emily opened the door to get out."Emily." Vincent suddenly called her name.She paused."Mr. Norman, I'd prefer if you call me Miranda outside of the family residence," she said, her tone polite but firm.Vincent nodded in agreement. "Alright, Miranda. I just wanted to say, if Grandma's wish is causing you any stress, I'm truly sorry."Emily looked down. "It's not your fault, so there's no need for an apology.""Either way, it's still on me. I failed to keep my promises to you," Vincent said softly. "But I hope we can work together on the luxury apartment project, and once it’s over—if you decide to go back to the UK, to leave everything behind—I won’t stop you."Emily took a deep breath. "Is it Grandma's kindness th
Emily almost stumbled as she rushed out of her room. She waved down a taxi and jumped inside. "Take me to St. Mary’s Hospital, please, as quickly as possible."The streets were quiet at this late hour, and the car sped along with ease. The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror, offering a kind word, "Don't worry, miss. Everything will be alright."Emily took a moment to respond, then said a quick thank you. "I... I’m not that worried.""You're out here in your bathrobe; it sure looks like you're in a hurry," the driver sighed. "Did you even grab your wallet?"Emily hurriedly explained, "I have my phone, I can pay you online.""I'm not worried about you paying. But a woman, dressed like that, out so late—it's dangerous. Even if you're in a hurry, you have to protect yourself."Only then did Emily realize her state. She was still in her hotel bathrobe and slippers, her hair damp and dripping water.She quickly gathered the edges of her robe to dry the seat beneath her. The car so
Dylan gently called out near his ear, "Boss?""Emily..." Vincent seemed not to hear Dylan, or maybe he was still in a dream.Yet, even in his unconscious state, his voice was hoarse and grating, accompanied by painful rasping sounds. It was as if every word he uttered caused immense suffering. His vocal cords were still in a fragile state, and he had just been moved to a regular room.Dylan glanced at Emily and, not giving her a chance to respond, decided to stabilize the situation first. "Miranda, the boss fell ill suddenly, and we have some international projects that need attention today. I need to head back to the office as soon as possible. Could you please stay with him for a while? I'll have Steven come over to help."Emily remained silent.She understood what Dylan was doing. He was talking in circles, but the goal was still the same—to get her to stay. As for Steven? He might show up at the hospital door, or even outside the room, but he certainly wouldn’t come inside.Dylan
Ken leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his coffee. "You know, Miranda, I always thought you'd be the type to keep things high-class and aloof, but you’re surprisingly approachable." He grinned, his casual demeanor making the conversation feel more like friendly banter than office talk.Emily Carter—known here as Miranda—smiled lightly as she powered up her laptop. "People tend to have all sorts of ideas about me."Ken, always one for curiosity, looked like he had a question brewing. "Hey, Miranda, can I ask you something?"Emily didn’t look up from her screen. "Sure, go ahead."Ken's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "So, yesterday…, when the boss locked you two in the office. What was that about?"Emily's hands stilled for a second but quickly resumed as she arranged some documents. "Nothing, really. We were just resolving some of the project's leftover issues. Since it’s a collaboration between two companies, Vincent didn't want any of the design plans leaking, so he closed the o
Cathy's face shifted through a range of colors, her usual confidence faltering for a moment. Cathy had been hired into the Great Wall Group by Vincent Norman himself. Her background was a mystery to most, but because of Vincent’s backing, no one dared challenge her, not even Daniel or Ken. She had built a reputation for getting her way in the company, occasionally making things difficult for others without facing any repercussions.But this Miranda? She had the audacity to stand up to her?Cathy pointed a finger at Emily, her voice trembling with indignation. "So, you finally admit it, huh? All those architecture awards, the whole famous designer act—you've been plotting this from the start. You just wanted to catch the boss's attention, didn’t you? You think I don’t know?"Emily smiled coolly. "If you already know, then why bother asking me?"Cathy clenched her fists. "Fine. Let’s see if you’ve got the guts to admit it in front of him. If you want your ID badge, make Vincent come get
Emily typed "Janet Norman" into the search bar, and what she saw left her stunned.The photos that appeared were a far cry from the image she had of Janet. Gone was the once sweet and innocent girl-next-door; in her place was someone almost unrecognizable—thick layers of makeup, bold red lips, and outfits that left little to the imagination. Janet Norman had transformed into a s.ultry, over-the-top icon of sensuality, with every photo more provocative than the last.Emily shook her head in disbelief. The Janet she had known was soft, elegant, and delicate. Now, it seemed like she was trying to be someone entirely different, someone she wasn't.Ken, noticing Emily's reaction, leaned over, grinning. "Quite the transformation, huh? You think she's hot?"Emily gave a half-nod, followed by a shrug. "She’s attractive, sure. But... it’s too much. It doesn’t seem like her."Ken chuckled, swirling his coffee. "Ah, but men love sexy. Janet’s got a crazy fanbase now. Last time she was at a publi
Amanda couldn't shake the doubts in her mind as she listened to Ken explain."As far as I know, Miranda is British," Ken said, leaning back in his chair. "Her parents live in the UK, and she's lived there for most of her life. I think I know where you're going with this, Amanda. You suspect the woman who did Lucas’ makeup might be our boss’s wife, don't you?"Amanda wasn’t fully convinced herself. "It’s just a feeling I have… I saw the makeup work she did on Lucas, and the style was unmistakable. It was so distinct that I immediately recognized it. Even Lucas said it was exactly like what Emily used to do. But if Miranda is really from the UK...""Oh, I probably didn’t explain that clearly," Ken interrupted. "Miranda might have British citizenship, but she’s originally from New York.""Is she an immigrant?" Amanda inquired, narrowing her eyes.Ken shrugged. "I’m not sure. That’s personal information, and I didn’t want to pry."Amanda nodded, taking a deep breath, feeling both disappoi
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