**Emma's POV**"What are you doing today?” Amory asks, turning to face me, his fingers grazing the car keys as he gets ready to leave for work.I glance up from my laptop, forcing a smile, “Just going over the shareholder list.”Amory chuckles, his grin contagious. “You’re always so busy. Never stopping, even for a breath.” His teasing makes me feel lighter, but the day’s worries still cling to me.I laugh softly, leaning in close. “Neither do you. Aren’t you supposed to start at Emgrand Group next week?”“Yeah, but you know me. I have loose ends to tie up before then. Guess we’re more alike than we think,” he says, leaning over to plant a quick peck on my cheek. The sound of it makes my heart flip, but it’s the warmth in his eyes that truly undoes me.Then, he pauses and pulls me into a real kiss, one that leaves my cheeks flushed. I swat his arm playfully, but it’s impossible not to smile as he grins at me.“Much better mood now,” he quips, sliding into the driver’s seat with a wink
**Amory's POV**I’ve been waiting outside the police station for nearly an hour, watching each person as they step through the gates. The mugshot photo of Davis Noah is fresh in my mind. His rough features, hooded eyes, and a scar slicing across his jawline—all unmistakable.Finally, a guard opens the gate, and a group of recently released inmates shuffles out, each heading in different directions. I glance down at my phone, comparing the image with the faces in the crowd. Then I see him—a lean figure in a black T-shirt and loose, worn-out trousers, his posture relaxed but guarded. He’s the last one out, his gaze flicking around as he takes in his surroundings.“Davis Noah,” I call, stepping out of my car and moving toward him.He stops, glancing back with a wary expression, his eyes narrowing as they travel from my shoes up to my face. He’s wearing a hood pulled low, but I can see his features clearly enough. He nods slightly, almost as if to say he knows why I’m here.***At the res
**Hannah Smith's POV**I made my way to the upscale cooking class with purpose, the sound of my heels echoing confidently behind me. The instructor, Patricia, was on the shareholders list and, owning 5% of the company shares, I couldn’t afford her support to slip away. I’d sent Mr. Foden to arrange a meeting, but she’d refused. Now I was here to convince her myself.As I reached the building, a sharp burst of anticipation surged through me. She wouldn't be able to resist my offer once she saw me in person. With each step, my confidence swelled. But as I approached the window, a knot tightened in my chest, stopping me dead in my tracks.Through the glass, I could see Patricia—she wasn’t alone. She was sitting with Emma. My heart pounded against my ribs, a fierce, unrelenting thud. Shock, confusion, and dread crashed over me all at once. I barely kept my balance as I leaned closer, straining to hear their conversation.I stifled a gasp, my hand flying to my mouth as the reality of what
**Emma's POV**After returning from meeting the cooking class, the revelation of her being my mother weighed heavily on me. My heart felt raw, and my body was drained from the flood of emotions that overtook me. As I entered the house, I pressed the alarm button, and within moments, Amory opened the door, his face lighting up as he saw me.“You’re home late. You don’t know how much your husband has been waiting for you,” he teased, but his eyes softened when he noticed my expression.Wordlessly, I stepped toward him, letting my arms wrap around his shoulders as I hugged him tightly. I felt his arms come around me, grounding me in the warmth of his embrace. For a moment, everything felt still, safe. When we finally pulled away, he led me to the couch, where he took my hand in his, his gaze filled with concern.“Are you all right, honey?” he asked, his voice gentle.A faint smile tugged at my lips as I reached out, placing my other hand on his. “It doesn’t feel real yet. And… there’s so
**Emma's POV**The shareholders’ meeting was today, but Grandfather was still missing. I had been bracing myself for whatever Hannah would try to push through without him. As we gathered, the atmosphere was tense. The officials settled, and the coordinator began.“Hello, we will now begin Smith’s Group special shareholders meeting. The chairwoman will now kick us off.”Hannah stood, her confidence radiating as she took the stage. Her voice carried through the room.“Hello, shareholders. My name is Hannah Smith. Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedules to attend this shareholders’ meeting.”A smattering of applause followed, but both Amory and I remained still, watching her every move. My mother, seated a few rows away, also sat quietly, her gaze fixed on Hannah.“The first item on the agenda is the internal CEO transition. The resolution to dismiss Chairman Henry due to his health issues… we will now vote on the first agenda item. Are there any opposing shareholders pres
**Emma's POV**With confidence bolstering our steps, my grandfather and I walked into my father's home, only to see Hannah rushing out of her car, her face a mixture of anger and panic. Auntie Isabella was waiting for us by the doorway, a calm expression on her face."Welcome, Chairman and Ms. Emma," she greeted."Who…" Hannah gasped, shock and confusion written across her face as she took in the sight of Auntie Isabella standing by my father’s side.Auntie Isabella stepped forward, a mocking smile on her lips. "Long time no see, madam. Don’t you remember me? I thought maybe you'd have improved your housekeeping skills since kicking me out… but it seems I was wrong."“A-All of you…” Hannah stammered, her gaze flickering to my father, trying to comprehend what was happening.“Mr. Michael,” my father called, signaling to his manager standing nearby.“Yes, Chairman?” Mr. Michael replied, moving forward to stand by my father’s side.“What was the first agenda item at today’s shareholders
**Amory’s POV**From where I sat, I watched Hannah and Davis Noah talking in the distance, each of their gestures revealing snippets of tension and conspiracy. Davis handed Hannah a key, and, after a few quick words, she went inside the motel, leaving him alone outside.I leaned on the horn to signal Davis, drawing his attention to my parked car. He glanced around, then walked over, opening the back door and sliding in behind me, his face a mix of curiosity and suspicion.“How did you know she’d come here?” he asked in a low voice, clearly puzzled.I smirked, keeping my eyes fixed on the building in front of us. “Who else would Hannah turn to in her current situation?” I replied. Davis was her only option now that her influence was dwindling.He nodded, exhaling sharply as he processed my words. “She says she’ll pay me ten million dollars to kill a girl named Emma,” he admitted bluntly, clearly testing my reaction.I kept my expression neutral, though a wave of disgust rose within me.
**Fielding’s POV** “What? The family doesn’t need to run the company?” I scoffed, muttering to myself as I entered my room after the meeting. The anger roiled inside me, each word Emma had spoken earlier scratching at my pride. How dare she? Who did she think she was? My phone started buzzing in my pocket, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen, seeing Elena’s name flashing. Ignoring the call, I tossed the phone onto my desk, leaning back in my chair, attempting to calm myself. But it buzzed again, forcing me to look, this time with the name “Director of Accounting and Liability” flashing. “Yes, I’m here,” I said after picking up, pressing the phone to my ear. “Mr. Vice President, I’ve checked with the leaders of our affiliated companies as you requested,” she said, her voice low and composed. “It appears the ladies from the board have been connecting more frequently with Madam Elizabeth.” “My mother?” I asked, caught off guard. “Yes,” she replied, her tone caut