As she spoke, Emily spun around, ready to dash off. “I'll go beg the principal right now."

Ms. Carter sighed and looked away, then suddenly caught Emily's wrist. "Don't go. The person who wants me fired isn't the principal. Someone else is behind this. Begging the principal won't help."

Emily froze in place, her whole body trembling. She turned back, eyes wide with disbelief.

"So... it's Andrew Lane?"

Ms. Carter pressed her lips together and said nothing, but Emily's eyes filled with tears, her lips quivering. "It really is him?"

The words hit Emily like a bolt of lightning, draining all the color from her face.

She'd always known Andrew Lane disliked her, but she never imagined he'd go this far.

She thought his grudge was only against her, but now she realized he despised her so much he wouldn't even spare those who tried to help her.

She stopped, her resolve faltering.

If Andrew Lane was truly the one pulling the strings, then there was almost no way to turn this around.

Especially since Isabella Austin was involved-Andrew Lane was fiercely protective of his wife.

Every time something concerned Isabella, Andrew Lane's position was crystal clear.

Just like in her previous life: even though Daisy was his own daughter, Andrew Lane never allowed her to call him "Dad."

After Daisy died, during the week of mourning, he didn't even notice she'd been gone for seven days.

If it had been Isabella Austin or their son in trouble-

No, Andrew Lane would never let anything happen to Isabella or their son in the first place.

Ms. Carter gently let go of Emily's wrist and managed a small smile. "It's alright, Emily. I'll be fine. You don't have to worry about me. It's just a job—"

"I'll go to him myself."

Emily's voice was soft but unwavering.

Ms. Carter's eyes darkened, her tone gentle but urgent, "Don't do anything rash. Go

to the principal first, ask him not to expel you. Your graduation exams are in just a few months—think about your own future.”

Emily looked at her, jaw tight. "Ms. Carter, I won't let you be fired."

Ms. Carter's brows knit together, concern etched deep in her eyes. "Mr. Lane is ruthless. What could you possibly say to change his mind? I don't want you to get hurt trying to help me."

She knew a little about what had happened between Andrew Lane, Emily, and Isabella Austin.

Andrew Lane's attitude toward Emily had always been downright cruel.

And the fact that Emily was being pushed out of school-there was little doubt Andrew Lane was behind it.

Emily was barely able to protect herself; there was no sense in her risking more for Ms. Carter.

Emily parted her lips, her voice rough and hoarse. "It's okay. I have to at least try."

Ms. Carter frowned, exasperated. "Why won't you listen?"

She had a terrible feeling-Emily's visit would only end in heartbreak.

Emily took a few steps back, her smile faint and strained. "Ms. Carter, I did this. I'll take responsibility for my own actions. I won't drag you down with me. Whatever comes, I'll face it alone."

With that, Emily turned and hurried out of the school gates.

I&A was the company Andrew Lane had founded back in college—a testament to his reputation as a business prodigy.

In just a few short years, I&A had gone public in the U.S., and now its value soared well past a billion dollars.

It was office hours; Andrew Lane was almost certainly at I&A.

Emily took a cab downtown. The company's headquarters towered over the city's business district, its glass facade reflecting the sky, with the I&A name and logo gleaming above the entrance.

This place had once been her personal nightmare.

In her previous life, after she and Daisy were thrown out of the Lane family home, she'd done everything she could to support her daughter.

She didn't even finish high school, let alone get into college. Finding a decent job was impossible.

She'd applied for countless positions-waitress, dishwasher, anything she could find —but not a single restaurant would hire her.

There had been a small café, where the owner's wife took pity on her and Daisy and gave her a chance.

But three days later, the whole family packed up and left town overnight.

Even back then, naïve as she was, Emily could guess who'd forced them out from the shadows.

Andrew Lane.