Chapter 76
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“I came because of you,” he said, his eyes locked in hers. “As soon as the news broke at your company, I came back home. But since you weren’t there. Elizabeth told me everything. His voice slightly shook as his worry heightened. “I wanted to come to you straight away, but I had to attend to something. How are Emily and Ethan? Are they alright?”
At the mention of her children, Emma’s heart skipped a beat. She exhaled slowly and battled to gain composure, as they were arousing a bit of interest. She spoke even softer then, conscious of the other couple who shared their table.
“They’re fine.” she whispered softly, “Thank you, Brandon. Truly
Before Brandon could say anything. Jaden’s chair scraped loudly against the floor as he returned to the table. His face was an unreadable mask of cold detachment, but his eyes flickered with something darker.
“What happened?” Emma asked cautiously, sensing the shift in his demeanor.
“Nothing.” Jaden replied curtly, his tone as icy as his expression stepped out to take a call.
His eyes flickered to Brandon, and he slightly furrowed his brow as Brandon was seated comfortably at their table. Jaden’s gaze hardened as he studied Brandon, the air between them crackling with tension.
“What’s going on here?” Jaden asked, his voice tight with suspicion.
Emma, feeling the weight of the moment, quickly answered, “Someone spilled a drink on me. Brandon helped me out.”
Jaden’s jaw tightened as he looked between the two of them, his sharp instincts sensing there was more to the story. After all, Brandon Kings wasn’t just some random guest at the event; he came in with a reputation as one of the most powerful men in the industry. The presence of Brandon just didn’t feel coincidental to Jaden.
Alexander watched the scene from across the room, his emotions churning beneath the surface. He had seen everything Brandon covering Emma with his suit, their whispered conversation, and the ease with which they seemed to understand each other. Memories from years ago swam in his head: Emma speaking with Brandon at the Wing of Hope event, standing confidently in Mrs. Walker’s presence. His anger simmered as intrusive thoughts began to take root, questioning Emma’s connection to Brandon.
Meanwhile, Emma and Brandon continued with their soft conversation of life and how time had changed it. But before they. could get deeper, a security guard approached their table with a stoic but firm expression.
“Mrs. Black,” he began in a formal voice. “I must ask you to leave
Emma’s stomach fell as the room went quiet again, eyes once again trained on her.
“She’s here as my guest,” Jaden interjected, his tone sharp and edged with anger. “You can’t just ask her to leave”
The guard hesitated but stood his ground. “I’m sorry, Mr. Fermanilo, but her presence is making some of the other guests uncomfortable. It’s in everyone’s best interest to avoid further unpleasantness”
From her seat Anise suirked, her sausfaction palpable as she watched the scene unfold.
Emma rose slowly, her face composed, but her heart racing wil humdiation. But before she could take a step, Brandon’s hand closed around her right wrist while Jaden grasped her leh ho voice sharp and cutting like ice, they can take it up with one the guard.
anyone has a problem with her presence,” Brandon said, His gaze turned glacial, silencing any further protest, from
After a mencent of tension, the guard retreated, and Ems, shara but thankful, thanked them solidly:
Just on things were fully clearing up the hosts were back to the stage their wares blaring trough the speakers.
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Chapter 76
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And now, for the most writicated moment of the evening the rule host announced, his tone dripping with excitement “The revelation of the hood W HOLDINGS tratame
Beside him, the female host stepped forward with a card in hard, the name of the CEO hadden within. Together they opened it, their expressions turning from anticipation to utter shock. The male host recovered first, forcing a smile over
their surprise.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the stage Mrs. Emina Black, CEO of W2 HOLDINGS
The room fell ulent in stunned silence. A ripple of disbelief racthrough the crowd as all eyes turned to Emma
Slowly, Emma got to her feet, her thin held high as she began the low deliberate walk toward the stage. With each step, it was a victory as the savored the stunned expressions around her she turned her head slightly to meet Annie’s wide–eyed
the look of pure disbelief on her rival’s face worth every moment of hardship.
Emma’s lips curled into a smile, laughter bubbling in her chest as she thought, I’d pay to see that look again. She was ready Ready to reclaim her power, her dignity and her place in the world.
A couple of people began to clap as she approaches the podiummost people were still in shock and disbelief. Brandon wowed and rose to his feet, He was more than proud for this moejent.
Emma stepped onto the stage, her heels clicking against the peed floor, the sound reverberating in the stunned silence of the hall. Aconfident, winning smile adorned her face, yet in her chest, her heart thumped hard. She studied the sea of faces–scandalized and disbelieving Her gaze finally sight Alexder His cold, shell–shocked eyes met hers, and in them were reflected the storm brewing within him anger, betrayal, confusion.
He looked like someone had yanked the ground from under his feet. How in the world could Emma, the girl bed known since she was in diapers, whom he’d watched grow under the care of her father and late mother, possibly be tied to Mrs. Walker! How.could she be Elizabeth Walker’s long–lost daughter? None of it made sense to him.
Emina took a deep breath, the action forcing her to compose hemelf, and cleared her throat. The sound seemed to jerk the audience out of their collective stupor, heads turning as they waited for her explanation.
SEND GIFT
