Chapter 2

The international call didn't last long. Emily and Tristan seemed to have an unspoken agreement and did not bring up the incident from last night. Emily closed her eyes, thinking of how critical this period was for Tristan as he pushed to take Walker Corporation public. Guilt gnawed at her, knowing he'd overheard her and Ezra the night before. She understood all too well what it felt like to be betrayed by those closest to her. Though there were no real feelings between her and Tristan, reputation mattered greatly to someone like him—someone who was standing at the top of the corporate ladder. Right now, all Emily wanted was to make amends and do her best to support Tristan. After all, an arranged marriage had its advantages. To some extent, she could help Walker Corporation recover from its plunging stock price. Richard Walker, Tristan's grandfather, adored Emily like a granddaughter. She didn't want to disappoint those who cared for her. At the thought of Ezra, a heavy ache gripped her chest, but Emily steeled herself to slowly untangle her feelings on her own. As soon as she stepped through the doors of the Powell residence, a silver ashtray flew toward her. Unable to dodge, it grazed her temple, drawing blood. "How dare you come home? You had quite the nerve, asking the Walkers to call off the engagement! You're nothing but a shameless bitch! You don't know what's good for you!" Julie pretended to be concerned as she offered Alan some advice. "Don't be upset. Emily's all grown up now. Perhaps she's in love with someone else. People marry for love these days!" Alan scoffed loudly. "If she hadn't gotten Mr. Walker Senior's favor, could she even marry into the Walker family?" "Oh, we can just call off the engagement. There are plenty of handsome, capable men in Arton. No need to marry her off all the way to Jeston!" Despite Julie's seemingly supportive tone, her jealousy ran deep. That envy had driven her to let Clara drug Emily, hoping to ruin her innocence. Now that Emily had spoken up to end the engagement, things were turning exactly as Julie wanted. Emily wiped the blood from her temple. Instead of getting upset, she smiled nonchalantly. "Dad, I came back to tell you that the wedding's still on. In a month, Tristan and I will be getting married in Tas Jegas as scheduled…" "What did you just say?" Julie was the first to lose her composure. She no longer seemed as calm as before. "What happened? I thought you wanted to call off the engagement!" A mocking smirk played on Emily's lips. "Oh, Julie. You should be happy for me. Once I get married and move to Jeston, you won't ever have to see me again. "There's no need to keep scheming against me. The Powell residence belongs to you and Clara. Don't worry. I'll only take what belongs to me. I want half of Powell Group's shares and a billion dollars as a wedding gift." This time, it was Alan's turn to be unsettled. He slammed the table hard and shot to his feet. "Emily! Don't think I'm unaware of the Walkers' current situation. The energy industry in Arton is about to change drastically. Once Mr. Walker Senior's gone, the Walker family means nothing to me!" Emily had already seen through Alan, who valued profit above everything else. Since she planned to leave, she only wanted what was rightfully hers. "Alright. Dad, I'll definitely tell Mr. Walker Senior everything you said. In the future, the Walkers won't be helping Powell Group through its financial crisis." With that, Emily got up to walk away. Alan's expression shifted, and he called out to her. "Come back here! That's not what I meant. You'll have the shares and money for your wedding. "But before you marry Tristan, you'd better end your secret relationship! I don't want your mess to affect Clara's marriage alliance with the Newmans." Emily froze, bitterness flashing in her gaze. "I will." Once she was back in her room, Emily let her mask fall. She leaned weakly against the door as she tried to catch her breath. Her custom ringtone rang, causing her to tense once more. It was Ezra. "Em, I miss you. I'm at Ivory Hotel…" How could Emily not know what Ezra meant? If it was before, she'd have rushed over. But after knowing what he'd done, the bright future she'd imagined was shattered. "I'm not feeling well. I wish to rest." Ezra sounded concerned over the phone. "You're not feeling well? Are you at home? I'll come now!" Whenever Ezra was drunk, he would become unusually clingy. If he said he would be there, he would really show up. Emily didn't want more trouble. They had been together for three years, after all. She owed it to him to talk things out in person. Emily soon arrived at Ivory Hotel. Taking a deep breath, she reached for the door just as it swung open. Ezra lounged in the doorway, eyes bloodshot, gaze burning. Drawing closer, she caught the iris perfume clinging to him. The lipstick stain on his collar seemed to sear into her eyes. "Ezra, did you contact Tristan?" The words felt foolish even as she spoke them. Despite the evidence, she was still clinging to a shred of hope. Ezra wrapped his arms around her. "No. I heard the Walkers are struggling. You mentioned ending the engagement, and I've cut ties with him over you. The next time I contact him will be for our wedding." Emily smiled bitterly. Was it really because of her, or did he simply want to fight for Arton's energy resources? "But Tristan helped you before…" "So what? How could someone born with everything ever understand our struggles? Em, you and I are the ones who've endured it all together." Ezra pressed his heated lips to the hollow of her neck, but Emily felt numb. "Ezra, let's break up." The words hurt more than she expected. Given their tangled history, it hardly felt like a breakup at all. "Don't make a fuss, Em. Let's get on the bed, shall we?" Ezra's hands were already wandering under her dress. Emily pushed him away harshly, pulling the custom tie she had gifted him, exposing the lipstick stain. Ezra was taken aback for a moment. Then, he chuckled. "It was probably an accident…" "I see. Whatever. I'm leaving now." Emily was instinctively repelled by the iris-scented perfume. By the time she reached the elevator, Ezra had already caught up with her. He scowled at her as he gripped her wrist tightly. "Emily! What's your problem? Is it really about the lipstick stain or Tristan?" At that moment, the elevator doors slid open. Several reporters rushed out, cameras in hand. Ezra immediately released Emily and resumed his usual polite, aloof self. "Mr. Newman, you've been photographed hanging out with Ms. Powell tonight. Is it true you two are getting married soon?" "Mr. Newman, Ms. Powell admitted to having a boyfriend during the press conference at Powell Group. Was she talking about you?" "Mr. Newman, is she your girlfriend?" A sharp-eyed reporter directed the camera at Emily as she thrust a microphone in Ezra's direction. Ezra answered coldly, "I don't know her."