“Willingly? Does that mean I will have to accept it anyhow?”
“It is for the best, leaving you out anymore will be foolishness.”
“I was doing great till now.”
“I found you Eve, others will also find you, and by then it will be a threat to your life. I can’t allow that.”
“That will be my trouble Mr. Monroe, not yours. With me out of the picture don’t you have one less competitor for the inheritance?”
Emma stated as she looked outside the window, not ready to see his expression.
She did not know what she was expecting by saying something like that, but she was not ready to trust another man ever again.
“Why are you so against the idea of being a heiress? Isn’t that lifestyle better than the one you’re living now?”
Ryan countered in an eerily calm tone, his eyes trained on the road but the increasing speed of the car rang alarm bel
Emma was shocked by the revelation would be an understatement, why build an orphanage over the land that took away their daughter?Won’t visiting the place again and again simply refresh the healing wounds?And her birthday... she knew the birthday she was celebrating all these years wasn’t her original birthdate because the orphanage considered the day they found the child as their birthdate.So, according to the calculation, she reached the orphanage 4 days before the celebration, i.e. her birthday which was 3 days back was the day she was kidnapped 25 years ago.As if understanding Emma’s conflict, Ryan sighed softly and drove silently toward their next destination.Stopping in front of a country house surrounded by lush greenery, Ryan brought her inside the house.They were greeted by a well-groomed man in his late 40s who was dressed in a butler’s uniform.“Ruford is the supper ready?”“Yes, Mr. Ryan.”“Very well, show Miss. Wright the guest room.”“Yes. Please follow me, Miss. W
Emma licked her lips in an attempt to soothe her parched throat, lifting her head to look at the man, the last remnants of her voice vanished as well.Standing in front of her was Rudolf Monroe, the man who ruled many corporate sectors in the country, a leading businessman and philanthropist who funded various large-scale NGOs around the world, also her newly found biological father.“If you’re here to steal the grapes, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed, this is not the fruiting season and if you’re here for something else, then…”The unfinished sentence scared Emma more than the thought of what could happen to her if she refused to get acknowledged as the Monroe heiress.The subtle shift in the temperature caused her to shiver unconsciously, making Rudolf take a step back, clearly aware of his intimidating presence.“You’ve misunderstood… Sir…”Emma awkwardly addressed him, unsure of how to address him and how to explain how she was there without going much into detail.“Oh? I’m list
Emma was dumbstruck by the revelation but she was more confused than shocked and her confusion was visible in her eyes.“Why is my grave… Cetaph there?”“It is a grave. Your remains from the fire are buried there, as for how those remains were planted there…”“I remember Mumma telling me I had bob cut when they brought me home.”“Mumma?”Ryan asked a little surprised, he knew she had a foster family but his reports told him they had cut ties 5 years back, yet Emma addressed them so dearly.“Yes, my foster mother.”“Their attitude towards you…”“Oh, they were great parents to me. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say they loved me more than their own”“That’s great…”
“My room?”“Yes. Come.”Ryan said with a warm smile, as he led her towards the walk-in closet on the opposite side of the room, hidden behind the T.V. wall.The room maintained a spacious atmosphere without crossing into gaudiness; furnished with minimal and elegant furniture, while exuding a sense of luxury and sophistication.It had a large European-styled, king size bed at the center, elevated with three stairs and sheer-beige curtains tied to the four bedposts at each corner.A set of large sliding doors opened onto a grand balcony decorated with various flowers to its right. In the right corner of the balcony, a bamboo swing with its borders outlined by vines stood, with a small coffee table in front of it.To the left corner of the balcony was a comfortable bed on the floor with cushions of various sizes littering around it aesthetically.On the left side of the bed
After several more moments of dwelling around the portraits, the sibling duo walked back upstairs and sat on the comfortable leather sofas in Emma’s room.Ryan handed Emma the steaming cup of hot chocolate, which he had asked the butler to prepare for them, to chase away the winter chill.“I’m still unfamiliar with what you like to eat and drink, so tell me if you don’t like something, okay?”“Okay.”“You“You’re not a very enthusiastic or hyperactive person, to begin with, now you look even more somber.”“No. It’s just I have a lot on my mind.”“Share it with me. I might not be able to help you out with it but at least it will take off some pressure on your mind.”Ryan’s earnest and genuine concern, made her smile softly, before placing down the untouched cup of hot chocolate onto the coffee table.“I’ll be frank then. If I wasn’t abandoned, then why could you not find me all these years?”“Eve…”“No, let me finish.”Emma’s steadfast tone made Ryan sigh in defeat as he motioned her t
Ryan’s sudden question caught Emma off-guard.Letting her biological parents know of her existence isn’t a problem but the choice would change a lot of things.To begin with, she had just left a snake pit and wasn’t ready to enter another, in fact, even more powerful snake pit, even if this one happens to be her rightful home.Also, she still hadn’t gained her foster parents’ forgiveness. She had already disappointed them and she did not want to disappoint them any further by not discussing with them.Despite the rough patch their relationship was currently experiencing, they have always treated her better than their kin.Even now, her foster parents made sure she had enough money to live comfortably, though not directly but they indirectly let her sister make sure of her comfort, by making her randomly drop some groceries and other stuff on random excuses.“What are you worried about? Do you still doubt that you were abandoned?”“No, it is not the case. You can let them know about me
“Can I please come in?”“… Alright.”Emma stepped aside, letting him in, a frown sitting between her brows, clearly not appreciating the company.Closing the door behind her, she asked him to take a seat on the sofa while she went inside the kitchen to grab him a glass of water.“I’m really sorry to disturb you at this time. Did I wake you up from sleep?”“I was awake. Is everything alright? You look worried.”Emma questioned as she handed him the glass of water, which he took with a grateful nod.Aaron took a slow sip as he bought himself some time to answer Emma’s question.“Actually… Do you remember what I told you I do for a living?”“Freelancing… Finance.”“Yeah, I have trouble with my current client.”“Did you lose their money? How much?”“No…”“You’ve helped me a lot in the past few weeks. If there is anything I can do to help you please let me know.”“Oh no. It is not about money. I had a minor disagreement with my current boss. He sent some men to my place to get me…”“Is tha
“I should be saying that, Miss. Wright.”“What?”“You tend to somehow always manage to get into my arms, willingly or unwillingly.”“Mr. Howard, let go of me.”“What do you say when requesting someone, Miss. Wright?”Christopher asked with a pleasant smile, not bothered even in the slightest with all the attention on them, not even the gaping mouths of his secretary team fazed him.Unlike him, Emma was growing redder by the moment with all the attention.Her coworkers were already guessing who she slept with to secure her job here and this situation with Christopher will simply cement her slut image in their minds.“Always a spectacle, aren’t we? Miss. Wright, I must say. You do have a talent.”Like the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was the last straw that broke her.Tears gathered in her eyes, as she stubbornly, freed herself, momentarily surprising Christopher, as he quickly supported her from falling backward in her struggle.He quickly took back his hands once he was sure s
It was yet another workday for the Monroe father-son duo, as they were wrapping up on their ends.Rudolf had one last meeting with Alexander, which was a last-minute appointment since the latter wanted to speak with him about what happened at the Christmas Eve Ball, which had been a week ago and they still couldn’t have a proper talk on it.Without a doubt, when Rudolf heard what happened at the ball, calling him furious would be an understatement.If not for his daughter’s request to let it go this time, he would’ve made those Watsons pay for every degrading remark and every minute of her those 5 years she wasted on them.And he was equally furious at Howards for letting something like this happen in the first place.She was under their roof when it happened and on top of that she was there as Christopher’s date, so naturally she was under their protection and security, yet they failed at just that.At first, he would’ve rejected Alexander’s request, but Hyacinth threatened him to ac
After a long day at work, completely drained out, Emma walked into the Monroe mansion.Flopping down right at the first seat of the beige leather sofa, she completely disregarded any ladylike behavior she was to obey as an heiress since anyone could walk in on her at that moment.She dropped her bag at her feet, discarding her suit jacket to one side and removing her stilettos beside her handbag, she stepped flat on the soft Persian carpet.Sighing at the soothing feeling of softness after a complete day of standing on her feet on a torture device, she breathed out deeply.For some reason, her muscles ached, and her mind seemed to be a lot foggier, as she dismissed it and curled up into a ball right onto the sofa and closed her eyes for a nap.Janette, the head butler of Monroe mansion, walked inside the living room and almost had a heart attack when she saw Emma curled up on the sofa.“M-Miss. Evelyn?!”Janette softly called out to not startle her little heiress, but receiving no res
“Miss… Whatever. Calling a Vintage Rolex, manufactured as a tribute on its 3rd Anniversary, estimated in some tens of billions… How classic of a country bumpkin like you.”Emma looked at Ryan in surprise, as the Watsons opened and closed their mouths in disbelief.“Mr. Monroe, you cannot speak with my fiancé in such a manner.”“Be thankful I’m speaking at all, instead of throwing you all out the venue. I have enough respect for the host to not create an unnecessary disturbance in their event.”“It was Emma, who…”“Sir, Madam, Miss. I request you to please follow me out.”A stern man dressed in black stepped towards them with three other equally serious-looking men behind him.Emma raised her brow at her brother.He just threatened and the security was already here. What kind of overlord was he?“Unfortunately, they faked the invite and entered. So, the security is here.”Cecil casually commented as he leisurely walked in from behind the security with Royce, who had a frown etched on h
“I’ll show you what a fire is! I’ll ruin you!”“Try me.”“Hah! What can a bastard like you even do?”“5 years a lot of time you know, Mrs. Watson. Corporate secrets would be a child’s play let alone… How do you think my lovely Ex-husband would react if he knows…”Emma cooed softly in Mrs. Watson’s ear.To a third person, it would look like they were hugging each other and having a reunion.But only they knew it was anything but that.A sick satisfaction bloomed in Emma as she saw Mrs. Watson as white as a ghost or someone who saw one.She had been suppressed by this woman for more than 5 years but not anymore.“W-What do you mean?”“If he knows the family name, he is so proud about… It doesn’t even belong to him in the first place… while at family, I miss Uncle Watson dearly! I’m considering inviting him to a meal at his favorite restaurant. What do you think, Mrs. Watson?”“You wouldn’t dare!”“Why would I not? Did you just not call me a bastard? Bastards have nothing to lose but you
“You don’t like them?”Christopher looked at Emma in confusion.He expected many scenarios but not this one.What does a ‘Why’ in this situation even mean?“You did not have get me anything.”“You hate flowers?”“No but… I’m sorry they’re beautiful. Thank you.”Emma smiled as she looked at Christopher who nodded awkwardly, he wasn’t sure how to react.This wasn’t the first time he gave her flowers but then she was his girlfriend, now she wasn’t and her first reaction scared him a little.What if she thought he still had feelings for her?He would hate for her to get the wrong idea.“Uhm… Cee got flowers and chocolates for Roy and ordered for me as well…”“Miss. Grayson also loves Purple Orchids and Purple Lilies in her bouquet.”“That…”“And Miss. Grayson just happens to like Dutch chocolate with hazelnuts from Emerry?”Emma chuckled softly, as Christopher shook his head negatively accepting defeat, as she unwrapped one chocolate and carefully without smudging her lipstick, put the co
“We’ll take our leave now, Aunt Cynthia.”“Go ahead! Enjoy the night or at least try to, right sweetheart?”“Right.”“Please rest assured Aunt Cynthia, I’ll try my best to keep her away from the crowd and make her as comfortable as possible.”“Oh, I don’t doubt that you’ll try your best. It is getting late you two should be on your own now.”“Bye, Mum.”“Bye, Aunt Cynthia.”“Bye, kids. Enjoy!”Christoper’s car was already waiting for them at the entrance and Emma was surprised to find he did not bring his chauffeur today.“You are driving?”“Not very confident in my driving skills?”“You hate driving.”“When I’m alone, yes. But since I have company today, I thought I’ll brush up my skills a little.”“We can still take my driver, or I could drive us there?”“You?”Christopher gave her an ‘are-you-for-real’ look as he opened the car door of the passenger seat.“Get in. I’m sure you can manage being the passenger princess for one day, yes?”“If there is even one scratch on me, I’m suing
Emma's relaxed and confident answer made Alex and Christopher raise their eyebrows in question.“Isn’t Monroe Interiors a subsidiary of Evening Enterprise?”“No, it is not. I don’t it is still big enough to be part of a Trillion-dollar empire like Evening Enterprise.”Her answer surprised the Howard family, as they expected her to do business under the protection of Evening Enterprise, but she did not take their support.This made them respect her, and the Howard couple liked her even more.It wasn’t easy to establish a business in the current economy, especially for a woman it is even more difficult because business is still a male-dominated industry.With the growing capitalism a business in Interiors is indeed a great option but the competition for it is already so cutthroat you won’t even notice when you are left behind by fellow business houses.“Doing your business under Evening Enterprise would’ve been an easy way out.”“Sitting at home, while I spend my family’s money seems li
The dinner was a peaceful event, at least, as peaceful as it can get when, you have to sit beside your Ex-boyfriend from university days, just because his brother was offended by some offhand remark your Ex said.‘So Mature!’Emma had screamed in her head when her peaceful plans to sit beside her brother went down the drain as Cecil stubbornly sat beside Ryan and refused to share his breathing space with Christopher.Which meant she had to be the bigger person despite being the youngest and sitting beside Christopher.Of course, Ryan had offered to exchange seats with her but her mother wanted her beside her as well, making the sit between Christopher and her mother the only ideal place as the elder couples were both already seated.“This is not your style?”“And you know that because you’re Charles Frederick Worth?”“Is he your stylist?”“Never mind, I overestimated you.”“It's either a sharp tongue or a sharp knife, isn’t it, Orchid?”“Oh! You don’t deserve anything less.”“Sweethea
Looking at the hesitant Hyacinth at her doorstep, Emma was confused.What happened suddenly?Weren’t they laughing around just a moment back?“I have a request.”“You don’t have to request me, Mum.”Emma softly reassured as she walked back to the entrance grabbed Hyacinth’s hand pulled her inside and closed the door behind her.“Now tell me.”“I know this might sound odd but...”“Mum… you can freely share your thoughts with me. Aren’t I, your daughter?”“Can I dress you up for dinner tonight?”“Huh?”“I knew it was a bad idea!”“Oh no! I was just surprised. Of course, you can, I will be glad to let you style me!”“Really?”“Yes.”“Then, you quickly take a shower while I select a few outfits for you!”“Alright! But don’t strain yourself, okay?”“Okay! I’m not made of glass that all of you are treating me like I’ll break any second.”“Better safe than sorry!”“Now, off you go before I make!”“Okay!”Emma and Hyacinth chuckled as the former mock saluted the latter who glared at her in re