*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
*9 years back*On the rooftop of the library building, a slender woman dressed in a plain white t-shirt and beige pants, with her hair up in a high pony, was sitting at the edge of the building, swinging her leg back and forth.She was humming to her favourite tune as she enjoyed the beauty of the moon that night.After another moment she sighed and turned around, jumping back inside the rooftop but stopped short when she realized she was not alone.“Who are you?”She narrowed her eyes at the young man who was casually lounging on her picnic mat.As a final year undergrad student in mainstream architecture, she had a lot of projects and models to make and doing it in the dormitory would disturb her roommate as well, hence she would sneak onto the library rooftop where no one frequented.“Unless you’re responsible for this place, I don’t have to answer your questions.”“You’re on my mat.”“There is enough space for two and your…”“Models.”“Are they? They look like scrapes to me.”At t
“What is your problem?”“With all due respect, Miss. Stark, I should be one asking you that.”“What do you mean?”“You provoke me, look for an argument and insult me at every given opportunity.”“I…”“I don’t care about your opinion of me and I’m not about to change it either, but I still have a limit. I’m really busy and I’ve already gone out of my way to allow this meeting to happen. So, if you don’t get to point and insist on wasting my time, please leave.”“You’re throwing me out?”“I’m respectfully asking you to leave.”“It is the same!”“I’ll give you 5 minutes say your part and leave. There
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