“Why?”“Huh?”“There is no need for that and you’re well aware of that, so why?”“I’m done with being someone’s wife or someone’s daughter. I want to be me. I want to forge my own identity.”“You can do it after a formal introduction as well.”“I will remain as the ‘Monroe Heiress’ or ‘The Monroe’s Lost Daughter’ even worse ‘Dead Daughter’.”“Sweetheart…”“Iris… Rudolf shook his head negatively before facing Emma once again, his gaze softened at her stubbornness, he knew it was all a façade, yet he was ready to entertain her.“Eve, I’m ready to support you on this but I have some conditions.”“What is it?”“You accept our help. I and Ryan will teach you business, your mom will invest in your business, of course she’ll hold some shares, and you will accept and spend the money I give you.”“I can accept everything but the last condition.”“Even if I say that is the dealbreaker?”“Yes.”Without batting an eye Emma firmly stated her answer, making Rudolf chuckle, whereas Stanley had a pr
The family entered the airport through the VIP entrance to avoid any lingering paparazzi and hence avoided most of the crowd.As the time of separation neared, Catherine and Hyacinth’s eyes welled up with tears.Both the mothers just got back their daughter after years of separation and yet they were losing her once again, though this time they will stay connected, it still isn’t the same as having her in front of them.“Please don’t cry… It will make this even harder…”“Oh no… We’re not crying. Now come here and hug Mumma!”“Me too!”“I need one as well!”“Yeah, yeah!”Emma chuckled as she discreetly brushed off her tears and hugged everyone, including Rudolf who was pleasantly surprised by the gesture but was happy, nonetheless.In the past month, Rudolf helped Emma through a lot of things, big and small, every detail was looked after by him, he took care of many things which did not even cross Emma’s mind and she was grateful for that.He might suspect her of being a fake and he wa
*3 years later*The Monroe Mansion was decorated like a Christmas tree and was bustling with activity, as luxury cars drove in, and valets were kept on their tows to ensure their safe parking.Today was Mr. and Mrs. Monroe’s Anniversary celebration and like every year they organized a charity ball for yet another noble cause.This event also served as a stage for every aristocrat to compare and show their wealth, especially the wealthy Madams of the household and young ladies of exceptional backgrounds.Dressed in their finest dresses and accessories, they were more blinding than the center-piece chandelier of the Monroe Mansion consisting of Swarovski diamonds, which makes it dazzle like beautiful jewelry instead of a chandelier.While the men made the best use of their time here to make connections and meet people who would be hard to catch in a more formal setting, Rudolf and Ryan Monroe were the most sought-after connections.Other than the hosts, old money like the Howards, Stark
While Emma was busy with other introductions, Adela nudged her husband making him look at her in amusement.“Where are your brat?”“My brats?”“Alex…”“I’ll give them a call and ask?”“They better be here before Eve leaves to speak with others.”“How about you keep her engaged while I get them?”“That’s a great idea, Alex! I love you!”“I love you too, my moon!”“Oh, hush you!”“Now go, I’ll get my brats.”Alexander nudged Adela forward with a fond smile, as she chuckled and with slow measured paces, elegantly walked to Emma who was just done greeting the Wilsons.“Hello, sweetheart!”“Hello, Mrs. Howard.”“Oh, please call me Adela! That’s what Ryan calls me.”“But…”“I and your mother best friends since kindergarten, I’m more like your Aunt than a stranger, so if you would love to, then call me Aunt Adela instead!”“Sure!”“Great! I’m really happy to have you back with us dear. Now I know the reason for the glow I’ve seen on your parents' faces for the last 3 years.”“Oh, I…”“Don’t
Christopher hated gatherings like this the most.It was brimming with mothers who were eager to make him their son-in-law and women who were ready to throw themselves at him.If it wasn’t for Ryan personally making a trip to his office to invite him, which is very unlike him, he wouldn’t have bothered to attend this one either.He was planning to leave right after greeting the stars of the night, but he couldn’t meet them even until their toast…And after that?He wouldn’t, not until he spoke with a certain woman.And he did just that, as soon as he saw her leaving the room, he followed behind her, as discreetly as possible, and found her in the garden enjoying the night breeze.Unknowingly a small smile made its way on his lips.She has always enjoyed solitude and peace; silence was her sanctuary.That is why he was waiting for her to leave the room to get some air.Not wanting to disturb her peace, he approached her softly but what came next caught him off-guard.He expected a glare
Suddenly hearing her name, Emma almost jumped at her place but composed herself quickly as she looked at Adela who was looking at her in concern.“Yes, Aunt Adela?”“You’re sweating sweetheart. Are you unwell?”“Eve, what happened?”Ryan and Rudolf, immediately looked at her in concern as Hyacinth approached her as well, eyes full of worry.At the mention of sweat, she touched her forehead and felt cold sweat.Quickly dabbing her hand on her forehead, she put on a smile on her face, as she reassured her parents and Ryan.“I’m alright! It is just a little stuffy here, maybe I’m sweating because of that.”“Are you sure?”“Yes!”“She doesn’t have a fever. Maybe it is indeed getting stuffy here, Eve go up and take rest, we’ll take care here.”“That is right, take it easy. It is your first time, so don’t push yourself.”Ryan and Rudolf’s concern and worry made Emma guiltier, as she smiled and shook her head.“It is alright! If I feel worse, I will let you know!”“Are you sure?”“Yes!”“Sir
Having just finished with another one of his business partners, he approached Alfred Grayson, who just finished his conversation and stayed back to catch a moment alone.“How is it going so far?”“Could be better.”“Not a big fan of bootlicking I see.”“Are you?”“Depends.”Alfred chuckled softly as amusement danced in his eyes at Christopher’s comment.“What fun did I miss out on?”Raymond Stark approached the duo with an amused smile, while the two looked at each other and chuckled again.“Tsk tsk, while we’re working our butts off with networking and small talk you three are standing here joking around!”Benjamin Wilson, the current CEO of Onyx Jewellery, the oldest of Warner Wilson and Jade Howard, walked towards the group along with Ryan who chuckled lightly and nodded at the three in a greeting.“We did our networking while you were busy sucking off some heiress’ mouth.”“Mind you, Al, don’t throw mud at me! I’ve been civil all night, after all, I did not want to spoil my first
“How do you always somehow appear to disturb my moment of peace?”“But you love it, don’t you?”“Narcissistic much, aren’t we, Mr. Howard?”“Chris.”“Huh?”“Call me Chris.”“No.”“Why?”“You lost that right.”“How many times would I have to apologize?”“You can apologize all your life, and it still won’t be enough.”Emma calmly looked at Christopher who was looking at her with a complicated gaze, his jaw clenched hard.She sighed softly and went back to looking at the beautiful full moon decorating the night sky.“You’ve changed.”“For better or worse?”“With the fact that you left a fuming Rose behind there and are sitting here serenely, for better.”“Glad.”“How?”“When you learn how much you are worth, you stop giving people discounts.”“Queen.”“Huh?”“Back at the airport, three years ago, you asked me what I will call you when we meet the next time, ‘a witch or bitch’, my answer, queen.”Emma’s breath got caught in her throat as her head snapped towards Christopher so fast, that