After settling Bert down, Emily went straight to the police station the next morning.“Fire?” the officer asked.Emily nodded. “Yes, my house caught fire for no apparent reason, and I suspect someone set it deliberately.”The young officer was very responsible. Hearing that it might be arson, he took it seriously and carefully asked her many questions related to the incident.Emily answered them all, and after completing the report, four police officers accompanied her back to Bert’s house.The narrow street quickly became tense as people noticed the arrival of police cars. This was a poor neighborhood, but it also harbored some shady characters. The moment the police arrived, people ran out to see what was happening, following them all the way to Bert’s home.“Isn’t that Bert’s house? Why are the police here? Did they come to arrest someone?”“Yeah, Bert’s a good guy, isn’t he? What could he have done wrong?”“Maybe it’s because William died, and Bert couldn’t take it anymore. Did he
The moment Emily spoke, Sophia froze in her seat. Grace glanced at her, confused, as if trying to figure out who this woman was.Emily smiled faintly. Regardless of who they thought she was, this time, neither Grace nor Sophia would walk away easily.The officer nodded at Emily. “You may proceed.”“Thank you,” Emily replied.She stepped further into the room, standing tall while Grace and Sophia sat, forced to look up at her. In stark contrast to their shabby appearance, Emily was well-dressed, poised, and composed, her elegance immediately intimidating Grace into silence. Grace, with a guilty smile, tried to play nice. “Miss, are you the one who reported us?”“That’s right,” Emily said calmly.Grace squinted, studying Emily’s face closely. Her brow furrowed deeply.This woman didn’t ring any bells.Her appearance, her voice—none of it matched anyone Grace remembered.Feeling a little more relaxed, Grace attempted a smile. “May I ask your name?”“Call me Miranda,” Emily said simply.“
Grace’s quick confession wrapped up the case, and both she and Sophia were detained by the police under charges of endangering public safety. They were given a thorough lecture, though whether Grace was listening was another story.After hours of stern education, the young officer was exhausted. He downed a large cup of tea and sighed, “You were once family, right? Couldn’t you all just sit down and talk things through? And you, you’re in your fifties or sixties now. Why haven’t you taught your daughter anything good?”Grace forced a smile, embarrassment clear on her face. “Our situation is complicated. It’s not something that can be explained in a few words. Sure, I was wrong to set the fire, but there’s always a cause for everything. I was forced into a corner. You saw it when you came to arrest us, didn’t you? My daughter and I used to live well, but now we’re reduced to cleaning in nightclubs. I used to be a wealthy lady!”The young officer, with little experience and easily swaye
Grace looked around the small holding room, a calculating glint in her eyes. It wasn’t bad—better than the dingy room they had been living in. Most importantly, after three years of living in shame, she had had enough of this miserable existence. Maybe getting arrested could be her way out.“Mom, what are you thinking?” Sophia asked, her voice trembling slightly.“Sophia, do you want to go back to the nightclub?”Sophia’s face turned pale with terror. “I don’t want to…”Three years ago, she had been the mistress of a wealthy man, but he was a complete p.ervert, and she had nearly died because of him. Despite all that, he was stingy, giving her little money. After a while, he dumped her for Chloe, a well-known actress. For him, being with a celebrity was far more prestigious than being with a bar girl like Sophia.Sophia had heard that he showered Chloe with gifts—cars, houses, jewelry—while all she got for her three years with him was less than ten thousand dollars. Then Sophia got si
Grace had set fire to her ex-husband’s old house this time.What a messed-up situation, and of course, it had to fall into his lap!"I know what's going on," Carol said. "But today, I really got to see her acting skills firsthand. She can cry on command in an instant—what a waste she isn’t an actress."……Emily left the police station and headed straight to the Great Wall Group.It had started to drizzle outside.Strange weather. It's mid-winter, and instead of snow, it’s raining in New York.When she entered the office, Ken was visibly surprised."Miranda? Are you feeling better?""Me?""Yeah, Dylan said you weren’t feeling well and needed to take a few more days off. Why are you here so soon? If you're still not well, you should rest. Don’t push yourself. I’ll help with company matters; you don’t have to overwork yourself."Emily smiled warmly. The support from those around her always helped lift her spirits."Thanks, Ken.""Well, in this design business, there aren’t many people I
Emily decided to be straightforward: “I’ve been staying in Vincent’s hospital room these past few days. My family coming to stay with me was unexpected. But I only have this one elder left in my family, so I have to take care of him properly.”Ken nodded repeatedly. “You’re right, we should always take care of our elders first.”Emily quickly handled her urgent emails and then shut down her computer.“Ken, I’m heading home. We’ll meet at the groundbreaking ceremony tomorrow morning.”Ken nodded. “Alright, alright. Oh, and don’t forget what I mentioned earlier—give it some thought.”“...Alright.”“Oh, by the way, I almost forgot to tell you! Our company’s annual gala is coming up, and we’ve invited some really popular celebrities this year. Plus, the boss’s younger sister, Janet, will be there. You have to come!”The annual gala?Emily had never participated in such events before.She wasn’t really a fan of these kinds of gatherings.“I’ll see if I’m available. Goodbye, Ken.”...Carol
Emily’s list wasn’t long; it was actually shorter than a typical grocery receipt. But because each item was a luxury good, each price was substantial. Among the items was a Prada men’s leather bag valued at $10,000, a Gucci coat, and a men’s watch. In total, there were only about six or seven items, but with invoices intact, the cost amounted to over $100,000.The female officer was stunned. “If the damage value is this high, it’s no longer a simple five-day detention.”Emily gave a light smile. “Those are just Bert’s belongings. I also bought a few items for Bert to give as gifts to neighbors. They’re not as expensive, but in total, they’re worth around $10,000. The fire didn’t just burn down Bert’s house; it damaged neighboring properties as well. Their walls and windowsills were affected. I’ll check with the neighbors about their losses and bring it over.”This new figure surprised Carol as well. “That could add up to $400,000?”“About that,” Emily replied. “Honestly, even though G
Satan stood at the door, holding a heavy brown paper bag filled with groceries, looking every bit composed. Emily was surprised—why was he here?Bert, drying his hair, noticed her hesitation. "Who is it?"“…It’s Vincent.”Bert’s face lit up. “Vincent’s here? Why aren’t you letting him in? ”Bert pushed past Emily, opening the door eagerly. When he saw Satan, he broke into a broad smile, his face wrinkling with joy. “Come in, come in! You bought a lot of things! You should have called; I’d have had Emily go down and meet you.”Satan smiled, respectful as ever. “No need, it’s not much.”“Not much? This must weigh at least thirty pounds! And you’re not fully recovered yet. It must be freezing outside. Does your throat hurt?”Satan, wearing a pair of black leather gloves, stood in the warmth of the room, the gloves quickly gathering condensation.“Emily, get Vincent a cup of hot water,” Bert urged. “He’s probably caught a chill outside; let him warm up a bit.”“There’s no need. I just sto
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