3

Emily's POV

7 years later.

Present.

The moment I stepped out of the sleek black Rolls-Royce, a wave of flashing lights blinded me. The cameras clicked furiously, each one trying to capture the perfect shot. The air buzzed with the sound of reporters shouting my name, their questions tumbling over one another in a chaotic mess.

“Miss Hart! Over here!”

“Emily, are you planning to expand the company this year?”

“Can we get a comment on your rise to success at such a young age?”

I adjusted the lapel of my tailored cream pantsuit, my favorite pair of Louboutin heels clicking against the pavement as I strode forward. My face remained poised, composed—a faint smile playing on my lips as my bodyguards flanked me, creating a barrier between me and the overzealous crowd.

I didn’t answer their questions. Not yet. I let the confidence radiate from me, my chin held high as I walked toward the entrance of the grand event hall. The paparazzi were relentless, their lenses tracking my every move, but I was used to it by now. This was my life. The youngest, most successful female CEO in the city—Emily Hart.

The doors to the hall opened, and the chaos outside was replaced by the refined elegance of the event within. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow over the sea of tuxedos and evening gowns. I paused for a moment, taking it all in. My father’s friends—men who had dominated the industrial sector for decades—milled about, champagne flutes in hand, their laughter mingling with the soft strains of classical music.

A tall figure emerged from the crowd—my father. His proud smile was unmistakable as he made his way toward me, his hand outstretched.

“There she is,” he said warmly, his voice full of pride. “The woman of the hour.”

“Dad,” I said, shaking his hand before pulling him into a brief hug. “You’re the one who built this empire. I’m just steering the ship.”

“And you’re doing a damn fine job of it,” he replied, his eyes crinkling with genuine pride.

As we moved further into the room, several high-profile figures turned their attention to me. One by one, they came forward to introduce themselves, their words dripping with admiration and curiosity.

“Emily, I’ve heard so much about you,” one man said, extending his hand. “Henry Calloway, CEO of Calloway Industries. Your work in the tech sector has been impressive, to say the least.”

“Thank you, Mr. Calloway,” I replied, my tone polite yet assertive. “We’ve been focusing on innovation and sustainability—it’s the way forward, don’t you think?”

Another woman, dressed in an elegant black gown, approached next. “Emily, I’m Evelyn Carter. Your partnership with GreenTech last quarter was brilliant. You’re setting a new standard for leadership.”

“Thank you, Ms. Carter,” I said with a small smile. “We believe collaboration is key. No empire is built in isolation.”

The conversations flowed seamlessly, each exchange reinforcing the respect I’d worked so hard to earn. My father stood nearby, watching with an expression that spoke volumes. He was proud of me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I truly belonged in his world.

As the evening progressed, I moved through the crowd with ease, exchanging greetings and pleasantries, my confidence unwavering. I was no longer the girl who had been humiliated in a university hallway. No longer the girl whose tears had blurred her vision as she ran from the cruel laughter.

I was Emily Hart, CEO of Hart Enterprises. And this was my moment.

The applause was deafening as I stood at the podium, staring out at the sea of well-dressed professionals who had gathered for tonight’s event. My speech had started smoothly, detailing Hart Enterprises’ vision for the future and the strides we’d made in sustainable development. I spoke with the confidence of someone who had clawed her way to the top, earning every bit of respect the room gave me.

But then he walked in.

At first, I wasn’t sure it was real. The double doors at the back of the hall opened with a subtle yet undeniable presence, and in strode a man surrounded by bodyguards. His dark, tailored suit hugged his tall, broad frame perfectly, and his chiseled jawline was more defined than I remembered. My stomach churned as his familiar, self-assured smirk spread across his face, and I recognized him instantly.

Cole Grayson.

The same Cole who had humiliated me all those years ago. The same Cole who had ruined my self-worth, made me the laughingstock of my peers, and drove me to transfer schools just to escape the endless torment.

He looked... different. Older. More polished. But the arrogance in his stride and the casual way he adjusted his cufflinks told me he hadn’t changed one bit.

My breath caught in my throat, and my carefully rehearsed words faltered. I blinked rapidly, trying to focus, but my brain was screaming at me to run.

“…and that’s why… um… innovation is at the core of Hart Enterprises,” I said, my voice uneven. I caught my father’s concerned glance from the front row and knew I had to wrap this up before I completely lost my composure.

“Thank you for your time,” I concluded hastily, stepping away from the microphone as applause erupted. I descended the stage, plastering a neutral expression on my face even as my heart raced wildly.

The moment I was out of the spotlight, I exhaled shakily, gripping the edge of a nearby table to steady myself. How could he be here? Why was he here?

I quickly regained my composure, smoothing my suit and joining the mingling crowd. The event was winding down, with guests exchanging pleasantries and business cards. My father beckoned me over, standing beside Nicholas Grayson, one of his longtime friends and a prominent figure in the industry.

“Emily,” my father said, his voice brimming with pride. “I want you to meet Nicholas’s son, Cole. He just got back to town after spending three years abroad managing Grayson Corp’s international operations.”

My entire body stiffened as Cole turned to face me, his expression unreadable but professional.

“Emily Hart,” he said smoothly, extending a hand. His voice was deeper now, more refined, but it still carried that maddening air of superiority I remembered all too well.

I stared at his hand but didn’t take it. Instead, I met his gaze with a cold, neutral expression and nodded curtly. “Mr. Grayson,” I said simply, keeping my voice flat.

Cole raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my reaction, but he quickly recovered. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, lowering his hand. “Hart Enterprises has been making waves recently. Impressive work.”

I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned to my father and began discussing an unrelated topic, deliberately ignoring Cole as if he were a ghost.

My father, oblivious to the tension, beamed at us both. “Isn’t it great to see the next generation taking the reins, Nicholas?” he said, clapping Nicholas on the back.

Nicholas nodded, smiling warmly. “Absolutely. We should schedule a meeting for these two to discuss potential collaborations. What do you think, Cole?”

Cole glanced at me, his jaw tightening slightly. “Of course. I’d be happy to.”

I didn’t even acknowledge his words, my focus entirely on my father. “I’ll check my schedule,” I said, my tone dismissive.

The men continued talking, but I tuned them out, my mind swirling with memories I’d buried for years. Cole had no idea who I was—or at least, he pretended not to.

But I remembered him.

I remembered the way his words had cut me like knives, the way his mocking laughter had echoed in my ears for weeks. I remembered the shame, the tears, the relentless whispers and stares from my classmates. And I remembered the video, immortalizing my humiliation on the school blog for everyone to see.

That humiliation had shaped me, hardened me. It had driven me to become the woman I was today—smart, confident, and untouchable.

But seeing him again brought back every ounce of pain and rage I’d buried.

As the men continued their conversation, I excused myself and walked away, my heels clicking against the marble floor. I needed space, air, anything to stop the memories from flooding back.

Cole Grayson had come back into my life.

And I despised him with every fiber of my being.