Emily Blair curved her lips into a smile. "Of course I remember."

She recognized most of the people in the living room-after all, nearly everyone here had once taken pleasure in walking all over her.

"Mr. Cox was just telling us how well you've been doing in the capital, Ms. Blair. Vertex International is really making waves these days. You're someone everyone has to take seriously now."

A woman raised her glass and put on a sheepish smile. “Ms. Blair, I admit I used to judge you unfairly. I probably said some things that upset you. I hope you won't hold it against me—let me offer you a drink as an apology."

Emily accepted the glass from a passing server and watched as the woman knocked back her own drink in one gulp. Emily herself didn't take even a sip.

Only after the woman finished did Emily smile and say, "I drove here tonight, so I'll have to pass on the alcohol."

The woman quickly nodded, trying to be accommodating. "Of course, Ms. Blair, whatever you prefer."

An awkward silence settled over the group.

Word of Emily's arrival had already swept through The Lane Estate. Everyone knew she'd shown up by taxi, not in her own car. Her excuse was so transparent that it felt like a deliberate snub.

A few faces soured immediately.

Someone piped up in a biting tone, "Emily Blair, you really think you're too good for us now, don't you? Just because you made it big in the city? Well, let's see how long that lasts. If you ever find yourself in trouble, don't come running to us for help."

Several others nodded in agreement, their expressions chilly.

Emily turned her gaze on the woman who'd spoken, regarding her in silence for a long moment.

The woman shifted uncomfortably under Emily's stare. "What are you looking at?”

Emily's lips curled. "You're Stella Gray, right? From the Gray family?"

Stella blinked in surprise. "Don't tell me you don't remember me?"

"Why wouldn't I?” Emily smiled. "In fact, I remember you quite clearly. There was

that time in the company cafeteria when you ‘accidentally' spilled your lunch all over me, then insisted it was my fault and made me apologize to you in front of everyone."

All eyes swiveled to Stella. Her face turned an ugly shade of red.

Tristan Davis's expression darkened even further.

Emily's tone was mild as she continued, "I wonder if you remember that?"

Stella clenched her teeth. "That was ages ago. I don't even remember it. Maybe you're confusing me with someone else."

Emily gave a short, scornful laugh and set her glass back on the server's tray. "It has been a long time, hasn't it? How have you been? I heard your father was recently investigated-spent a little time behind bars, didn't he?"

Stella's face went rigid. "Emily Blair, you-"

Suddenly, the room seemed to close in; Stella's vision swam for a split second.

"What's wrong?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

A man stepped forward, silently taking his place in front of Emily. He hadn't said a word all evening, but his presence spoke volumes—tall, broad-shouldered, with a face striking enough to draw every glance in the room.

When he was quiet, he seemed almost unthreatening, easy to overlook. No one expected him to move, but now he stood between Emily and Stella, head lowered, eyes stormy, his expression dark and unreadable.

Even in a suit, it was impossible not to notice the powerful build beneath.

Stella, standing closest, felt the weight of his presence more than anyone else. She shrank back, suddenly very aware of the distance between them.

"Who... who are you?" she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.