When the door crashed open, splinters scattered across the floor. Emily Blair stepped over the debris, every stride deliberate as she advanced into the dimly lit room. The wine bottle in her hand caught what little light there was, gleaming ominously.

Ryan Cox's eyes narrowed, suspicion etched deep into his brow.

Emily's voice was calm, almost polite. "Mr. Cox, I'm sorry to interrupt, but my assistant seems to have gone missing. I'm here to find her."

She stopped at the foot of the bed, her gaze sweeping over Donna Thomas from head to toe.

The sight of Donna's disheveled clothes and bare skin made Emily's eyes harden, pupils contracting with a sudden, icy focus.

When Donna spotted her, tears welled up instantly. Her voice shook. "Ms. Blair, thank God you're here..."

Emily's expression didn't change as she fixed Ryan with a cold stare. "Mr. Cox, what have you done to my assistant?”

Ryan's gaze flickered nervously to the wine bottle in her hand, then he smirked. “Ms. Blair, look around you. Your assistant's clearly enjoying herself, I'm having a good time too—why don't you join us?”

"So," Emily said, her voice turning flat, "you're not going to let her leave?"

Donna flinched at that, scrambling off the floor and lunging toward Emily. "Ms. Blair!"

Ryan reached out and yanked Donna into his arms.

She fought wildly. "Ryan Cox, let me go!"

He forced a laugh, lying through his teeth. "You see, Ms. Blair? She doesn't want to leave with you. It's not me holding her back—I'm in a tough spot here."

Emily's patience was wearing thin. "Ryan Cox, this is your last chance."

All pretense dropped. Emily had made her stance clear.

Ryan's resentment boiled over. “Listen, kid. Just because you've landed a few projects, don't think you're above everyone else. Let me tell you, there's always someone better, always someone stronger. You don't get to decide how everything goes."

He sneered. "And don't think waving a wine bottle around is going to scare me. I'm not afraid of you."

"If you're going to stand there, you might as well watch how I handle your assistant." With that, Ryan shoved Donna back onto the bed.

She screamed. Ryan's face twisted into a leering grin as he lunged at her, arms outstretched.

Emily's eyes narrowed to icy slits. She tightened her grip on the wine bottle and strode forward, her other hand shooting out to grab Ryan by the hair.

"Emily, stop!" Andrew Lane's voice rang out, footsteps pounding closer.

Emily didn't even blink. She dragged Ryan off the edge of the bed by his hair, yanking so hard his head was forced down below her own height.

Ryan howled in pain.

Emily raised the bottle high above her head.

He stared up at it, terror flooding his face. "Emily Blair, don't—!"

Her voice was low and cold. "Ryan Cox, you're asking for it."

Andrew's voice grew louder, frantic and urgent. "Emily, don't!"

At that moment, Ryan managed to kick out at her leg, desperate to break free.

Emily didn't hesitate. She brought the bottle down hard on his head.

Crack!

Glass exploded, wine spraying across the room. The liquid splattered over everyone nearby, soaking them in a sticky, boozy mess.

Ryan let out a guttural wail of pain.