With a click, the door swung open.In the darkness of the night, Emily was startled, her voice sharp, "Who's there?""It's me," Mr. Satan whispered. He pressed Emily beneath him, hands on either side of her body, trapping her gently. His voice softened, "It's late, and you're still not sleeping. Were you waiting for me?"Emily bit her lip, still not accustomed to being this close to him.Fortunately, the darkness concealed her unease, "No, I wasn't.""If you weren't waiting for me, why did you call me as soon as you received the text message?"Mr. Satan chuckled lightly, no longer pressing her.He stood up straight, opening the wardrobe, "Emily, come here."Emily extended a hand from under the blanket, placing it in his open palm, her voice small, "It's too late now, I'm really tired.""I just want you to help me pick out some clothes, what are you thinking?"Emily felt flustered, quickly defending herself, "Nothing, I'm not thinking anything."Mr. Satan didn't expose her, simply pick
There was always an aura around Mr. Satan that made her willingly submit.Emily felt like a kite right now, and Mr. Satan was the one holding the strings. He didn't restrict her flight; he just held onto the string, gently guiding her back when she veered off course, letting her soar freely.The nights spent with him were wild and intoxicating, something she had never experienced in her four years of marriage with Reed.But the atmosphere at the Reed family villa now was different.In the morning, Nathan had to go to the office. Sophia helped him fix his tie, cuddling in his arms, "Can't you skip work? We finally live together, can't you stay home with me?"A woman's coquetry was hard for any man to resist.Nathan embraced her, "I'm going to the office for important matters, not to see other women. What are you worried about?"Sophia's expression changed slightly.How could she not worry?After all, hadn't she successfully seduced Nathan herself? At work, she used her job as an excuse
Sophia stood up slowly, adopting a soft demeanor, and came over affectionately to hold Emily's hand. "Emily, don't be angry. Carol is just worried about me. You know, I'm carrying the heir of the Reed family in my belly."Why don't you go compete for an Oscar? Emily felt thoroughly disgusted by Sophia.Carol, upon hearing Sophia's words, became even more infuriated. She pulled Sophia protectively behind her and pointed at Emily's nose. "I just can't stand her! She married into the Reed family on the pretext of old Mr. Reed's will, and for four years, she couldn't even bear a child. Is she trying to ruin the Reed family with her barrenness?!""Carol, calm down. It's not Emily's fault she can't conceive. She didn't do it on purpose...""My dear Sophia, why are you so kind-hearted? Even though Emily bullies you like this, you still speak up for her? Let me tell you, there are such despicable people in this world. You're good to them, and in the end, they'll turn around and bite you! You
During the day, all the events at the Reed household flooded Emily's mind.She was held tightly in his arms as she sighed softly, "It's nothing really, just thinking about all the injustices I've endured from Carol over the years, feeling like I'm particularly weak.""Hmm, anything else?" Mr. Satan asked softly."There's also... just feeling extremely unworthy. I could have gone to college initially, but my father got sick and we didn't have the money."Mr. Satan reached out and ruffled her hair, his voice steady and clear, "Emily, life is just a series of choices. Next time you face a choice, be sure to consider yourself more."Emily felt like Mr. Satan was a bit of a sage."Mr. Satan, can I ask you a question?"He grunted, "Go ahead.""How old are you this year?""Why so curious about me?"Emily felt a bit embarrassed, "I know, it's your privacy. It's okay, I just asked casually, you don't have to answer.""Good girl," Mr. Satan kissed her forehead, "Now it's my turn to ask you a qu
Emily downed several cups of cold soda water, trying to calm herself down.But what Olivia had said over the phone still made her tremble uncontrollably.Her body was healthy, capable of bearing children. The doctor who issued the report of blocked fallopian tubes had taken Sophia's money!Emily suddenly felt a chill run down her spine.Since when had Sophia been planning all this? She first seduced Nathan at the company, then successfully got pregnant to force him into marriage. She even bribed the hospital's obstetrician-gynecologist to provide her with a fake medical report. And then she arranged for someone to take nude photos of her friend in room 2302.It was like a finely woven web, trapping her tightly, leaving no room for escape.Sophia was a venomous snake.Olivia had arranged to meet her at a café across from the Hilton hotel, and by now she should be there.Emily poured herself another large glass of soda water and changed her clothes before heading out.As soon as she ste
After receiving this medical report, Emily felt restless all day.After breaking up with Olivia, she went to the hospital as usual to accompany her father for a while. The doctor said her father was recovering well, in good spirits, which slightly eased her worries.On her way back, she thought all the way, and eventually went to the pharmacy to buy contraceptives.The clerk glanced at her and asked, "Twenty-four hours or seventy-two hours?"Emily asked, "Do you have long-term contraceptives?""Yes," the clerk handed her a bottle of pills, "but long-term use might harm your body, so think carefully."Emily paid directly, "Thank you, I'll take this."She tore open the packaging and swallowed a pill, tasting bitterness in her mouth.She could feel that Mr. Satan liked her, but having a child was no small matter. She wasn't sure how long Mr. Satan's affection for her would last. She couldn't take the risk.She used to think she couldn't conceive, so she didn't use condoms during sex with
Olivia drove to the Hilton Hotel to pick her up.As soon as they entered, she sniffed around like a police dog.Emily chuckled, "What are you sniffing for?""I'm sniffing out the scent of a scumbag," Olivia said seriously as she sniffed from the living room to the bedroom, nodding in satisfaction. "It seems Mr. Satan is a good man. I trust him with you."Emily laughed, "You can tell he's a good man just by his smell? That's impressive!"Olivia proudly puffed out her chest, "Let me tell you, scumbags always have one characteristic—they carry the scent of other women. Whether it's the smell of makeup or perfume, I can sniff it out. You, I know you the best. Even though you used to be a makeup artist, you rarely use makeup. So, I can easily tell whether Mr. Satan has had close contact with other women."Emily nodded after hearing this; it made some sense."Hey, Emily, do you want a job?"Of course, she did.But she didn't have a college degree or any special skills. Finding a job wasn't
Emily's slaps seemed to exert all the strength in her body, causing Sophia to stagger back several steps and collapse to the ground.Sophia's makeup today was meticulously done, and her clothes were specially chosen, the latest from Burberry. They weren't available in stores yet; she had to rely on Nathan's connections to acquire them.But now her clothes were all dirtied, her makeup smeared off, revealing rough skin underneath, mottled like a zebra.Nathan reached out to help her up, but was taken aback by Sophia's makeup-smeared face. "Sophia, what happened to your face?"Since he had known Sophia, she had always been meticulously made-up, considered quite beautiful. During their intimate moments, she would insist on turning off the lights, and he had assumed it was due to her shyness. He hadn't expected her real appearance to be like this once her makeup was off...Sophia panicked, covering her face with her hands, exclaiming, "Where's my bag? My mirror and foundation? I need to to
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