Andrew Lane looked at her. "Alright."

They reached the end of the corridor.

Emily Blair asked, "I remember you were there that day too. You must recall exactly what Ryan Cox did, don't you?"

Truthfully, she didn't even want to hear Andrew's answer.

A cold, bitter laugh slipped from her lips. “Andrew Lane, if you had even a shred of conscience, you wouldn't be doing this."

She was genuinely disappointed.

She'd always thought Andrew simply didn't love her, that he kept her at arm's length —but in every other respect, he'd always seemed beyond reproach.

She had told herself, after five years, she was over Andrew Lane. She no longer hoped for anything from him.

But now, in this moment, she couldn't help feeling crushed by disappointment.

She looked at him. "Are you sure you want to help him?”

Andrew replied quietly, "With or without me with or without the Lane family-Ryan Cox would have found someone else to back him."

Emily fixed her gaze on him. “But right now, it's you helping him.”

Andrew's voice was low and steady. "Ryan Cox has been in business for years. He's well-connected, with resources everywhere. He's not going down that easily. You weren't prepared enough—and that's why things ended up like this."

Emily's eyes grew calm again. “So in the end, you're still choosing to help him.”

"This isn't help."

A third voice abruptly cut in-Isabella Austin.

Emily's expression barely changed as she watched Isabella walk over and slip her arm around Andrew's. "Emily, I get where you're coming from," Isabella said sympathetically.

She hesitated, as if pained. “But honestly, I think you're overreacting. If this is all about your assistant and... that incident-I don't think there's any need to make such a fuss."

Emily's tone was sharp. “What are you saying?"

Isabella smiled slightly, as if coaxing a child. “I mean, yes, Mr. Cox did something wrong to your assistant. But in the end, nothing really happened, right? We interrupted him before anything worse happened. Your assistant wasn't seriously hurt. So, I just don't think it's worth making such a big deal out of it. If you're planning to go against Mr. Cox for this, I really don't think it's worth it."

Emily's gaze stayed steady and peaceful, never interrupting, never objecting.

Isabella continued, "We just spoke with Mr. Cox, actually. He's willing to compensate

your assistant. Isn't that a better way to resolve things?"

Emily listened in silence, her eyes fixed on Isabella's face.

The pause stretched on.

Isabella hesitated. “Emily, what do you think?"

Emily finally spoke. "Isabella Austin-are you even a woman?"

Isabella's face changed. "Emily, what's that supposed to mean?”

Emily's lips curled in a mocking smile. "What do you mean 'no harm was done,' 'nothing really happened,' or 'it's not a big deal'? You're a woman too—have you lost your mind? Even the law wouldn't let Ryan Cox off the hook, but here you are, ready to forgive him on the spot."

Isabella paled. "Emily, that's not I didn't mean—I just—”

"You just don't have a brain. Or a conscience. Or the faintest sense of right and wrong." Emily's words were cold and biting. “If this had happened to you, I bet Ryan Cox would already be behind bars."

Isabella bit her lip. "Emily, just calm down, okay?"

Emily turned to Andrew, disappointment thick in her voice. "Is that what you think too?"

Andrew suddenly pulled his arm out of Isabella's grasp.

Isabella stared, surprised. "Andrew?"

He said, "You should go."

Isabella's voice trembled. "Andrew, do you think I was wrong?"

His tone was firmer. "Go wait in the lobby."

Isabella hesitated, glancing between Emily and Andrew before nodding reluctantly.

"Fine. I'll wait for you in the lobby."

Emily had nothing left to say. She turned to leave.

But Andrew caught her wrist, pulling her back.

Emily's voice was cold and flat. "Let go."