**Amory's POV** Today marked my first meeting with the executives of Emgrand Group, and I could feel the weight of the room as soon as I stepped in. After agreeing to my grandmother's terms, I was appointed as the Vice President, and it was time to make my presence known. I had no intention of being late for my first meeting, especially with my brother sitting opposite me across the table, next to the acting president. The tension between us was palpable, but I kept my focus. “Next on the agenda,” the acting president began, his voice steady, “ is for Emgrand group’s newly launched safety and sustainability department, we will be voting on bringing onboard Amory, current CEO of H-Terier, as Director and and Vice President. Would anyone like to speak on the matter?” The room grew still, but I could sense unease. The man beside me, whose name I had yet to catch, shook his head subtly before leaning forward to press the microphone button. “Director of a new department… and at such
**Emma's POV**At precisely 12:30 p.m., Madam Elizabeth and I entered my father's company. The air was thick with tension as we prepared to address the issue of Elena's blackmail attempt, targeting both Emgrand Group and me. The recent events had spiraled, thanks to Zayn’s desperate attempt to clean up his mess, which now entangled my sister and father in this web of lies.“You understand Emma is part of Emgrand Group, right?” Madam Elizabeth’s voice cut through the room, cold and sharp. My father sat at the head of the table, reading the latest article, while across from us were Elena and her mother, Hannah Smith.“The fact that Smith’s daughter slandered her like this,” Madam Elizabeth continued, glaring at Elena, “should we consider it a slander against Emgrand Group as a whole?”Elena's fake smile faltered, but she quickly composed herself, adopting a sickeningly sweet tone. “Mother, I would never do such a thing.”“Please don’t call me that. It’s unpleasant.” Madam Elizabeth snap
**Hannah's POV**"What is this?" Henry snapped, frustration etched on his face.I ignored his tone, opening the medicine bottle and taking out two doses of psychotropic drugs. I grabbed the glass of water from the table and moved closer to the bed where he sat, his eyes glued to the recorded video of his father."Proof of how much your father invested into Emma's marriage," I said, sitting down next to him. My voice was calm but calculated. "He begged Chairwoman Amara to accept Emma. He even returned all the interest he ever earned from her. That painting he donated to the foundation? It was already sold, and he paid to bring it back."Henry’s face twisted in confusion. "Why would my father do all that?"I avoided his gaze, placing the glass of water on the table and reaching for his hand. Opening his palm, I dropped the pills into it."That’s not even the whole story," I continued, locking eyes with him. "He even moved from nursing homes behind our backs—with Emma leading the way."H
**Emma's POV**“Hannah did that?” I snapped, barely able to process Grandpa's regretful expression.“I’m sorry. I was careless,” he said, his voice low and filled with pleading.“No, I was too,” I muttered, the weight of my own mistakes pressing on me, eyes averted from his as guilt gnawed at my chest.“But there’s something bothering me,” he added, his tone shifting, curiosity creeping in.I looked up at him, my heart racing. “What is it?”“What Hannah said… Isabella thought she was talking to her. But if that were the case, Hannah wouldn’t have let her go so easily. Which means… she was talking to you, Emma,” Grandpa said with an air of conviction, locking his gaze with mine.I blinked, the realization sinking in, making my stomach churn. “When she said, ‘How dare you grovel back to this house,’ that means she already knew her husband had another child,” I whispered, my voice almost inaudible.Grandpa nodded slowly, his face tense. “Exactly. And when she said, ‘Do you want to die by
**Hannah's POV** Emma must not know, right? That her being alive at all is a crime. I mumbled to myself, my gaze fixed on my husband, lying asleep on the hospital bed, tangled in tubes and wires, oblivious to everything. I took another bite of the apple, pressing my fork deeper into its flesh with each bite. “How she survived that fire… I don’t know,” I muttered, my voice barely audible. My fingers clenched around the fork as I pierced another piece. “But even if she did… she should have stayed hidden, tucked away in that orphanage where she belonged.” I bit down hard, relishing the snap of the apple as if it could somehow absorb my anger. I stood up, placing the empty plate on the table beside him, watching as he lay there, utterly defenseless. The memory of Emma’s endless, needy glances surfaced in my mind—how she always tried to catch my attention, pretending she wanted nothing. *Just like her mother,* I thought, clenching my teeth. *So innocent, so self-sacrificing. And then, t
**Emma’s POV**I awoke slowly, my eyes adjusting to the dim light in my room. The first thing I saw was Amory, sitting beside my bed on a small stool, his gaze soft but unwavering.“Amory…?” I groaned, my voice hoarse as I attempted to sit up. “What… what are you doing here?”A small smile appeared on his face. “I’ve been thinking about what you asked me. About why you went through all that. But even after a whole night of trying, I still can’t come up with anything. You didn’t deserve any of it.”He looked down at my hand resting on the bed, and he gently placed his hand over mine, his touch grounding me. “Emma, you were just a child. You didn’t do anything wrong, not one thing.” His voice was soft yet sincere, and I felt a swell of strength returning.I squeezed his hand in gratitude. “Thank you, Amory.”He looked into my eyes, encouragingly. “Go to Chairman Henry. Ask him why he did this. Demand answers, Emma. You have the right.”As the day turned to afternoon, I dressed and made
**Amory's POV**Since Mr. Foden reached out to suggest taking legal action against the article that Mr. Zayn’s sister released to blackmail Emma, it’s been a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. Why would Foden, of all people, help us, especially while he’s working for Hannah? There had to be more behind his sudden assistance.Today, we’re meeting at one of the largest hotels in the city. Now, as I sit across from him, I can’t shake the curiosity gnawing at me.“The information you gave me over the phone… it was invaluable. I didn’t get a chance to thank you properly,” I said, pouring drinks into our cups and raising mine to him.He looked down at his glass, swirling the liquid around before taking a slow sip. “The only ones who knew about that video were Hannah, myself, and Mr. Zayn’s mother,” he murmured, glancing briefly at me before looking away. “When I checked Mr. Zayn’s mother phone… the evidence was all right there.”I watched him as he spoke, his guarded expression showing th
**Zayn's POV**I was heading home when one of my friends called, urging me to check out Elena and her mother’s live interview on MDN News. My heart pounded, wondering what she’d say—especially with all the recent rumors.Settling on my bed, I pulled up the MDN live stream, watching as Elena sat there beside her mother, dressed in black, her mother in purple. I rubbed my forehead, eyes fixed on the screen, seeing her cheeks lift in a smile that made me wonder what they could be asking to make her so happy.“Miss Elena, do you have a boyfriend?” the host asked, a hint of playfulness in his voice. “You’re rumored to be dating the Emgrand Group’s heir…”My pulse raced as I leaned closer, waiting for her response. She glanced at her mother, who smiled back at her, then turned to the host with a coy grin. “No comment,” she said, eyes sparkling.The host chuckled. “Oh, how mysterious!” she teased, while her mother added, “She's like this. She’s a terrible liar,” causing Elena to look down, l