Damon's POV
I got ready and boarded the car. Alex handed me a file about Emily. One line caught my full attention. I turned my head to look at Alex, who nodded, confirming that it was true.
I started thinking of a plan to settle down this matter.
"Alex, don't do any PR until I say so."
Alex nodded, understanding exactly what I meant.
Once again, I saw the news flashing on the screen:
"CEO of NK Group of Industries having sx with one of the employees at their own company party. Is this how company higher-ups behave with their employees?"*
Alex was already on a call with the board of directors, explaining that I was taking care of the situation.
"One more thing, Alex."
He turned his head to listen.
"List all the channels that are broadcasting this news. We'll deal with them next. And tell our lawyers to file a case against these false accusations and sue those channels. I'll tell you when to use it."
He nodded again, understanding how I was going to make them pay back.
Our car came to a halt as we reached Emily's house. I rushed inside. As expected, they were shocked to see an unknown man enter their home with a large number of bodyguards.
"Who are you? How can you enter someone's house without permission?"
I assumed the old man speaking must be her father… no, her adopted father.
"Oh, I predict you don't remember me? Don't you people watch the news?"
Now they realized who I was.
"What do you want?" the man asked. Did he think I was here for his questions and answers?
"Where is Emily?" I demanded.
They exchanged a glance with each other.
"Why do you want to see her?"
I was losing my patience. This old man just wouldn't stop questioning me. I pulled my gun and pointed it at his son, who was standing next to me. His daughter, who had just come downstairs, screamed in fear and immediately spilled the truth.
"She's in her room upstairs!"
"See? That was simple. You could have just answered my question. Instead, I had to put a gun to your son's head. Tch… tch… tch… very bad manners."
As I started walking upstairs, I turned to her sister and smirked.
"You chose your brother's life over your sister's. Anyway… now your sister is going to die."
I resumed my walk toward Emily's room.
Just as I reached, I heard arguments from inside. Recognizing Emily's voice, I stood behind the wall to listen.
Emily's POV
I woke up to the sound of heavy knocks on the door. As I sat up, I realized I had slept on the floor last night. I opened the door only to be welcomed by my mother's slap.
"Liz, what are you doing?" my father's voice came from down the hall as he approached my room.
"She deserves it for what she has done!" my mother snapped.
Holding my cheek from the sting, I wondered what she was talking about. Wait… did they find out that Noah was in my room last night? No way… right?
Before I could process, my father's words dragged me back to reality.
"Who's that guy you were with at last night's party?"
The ground beneath me slipped away. How the hell did they find out?
"I… I don't know what you're asking, Dad."
"Really, Emily? You don't know? Then what is this… a ghost?" my mother said sarcastically, shoving her phone in my face.
What I saw made my heart stop. There I was… on the news… with the guy I met last night. That too—the CEO of our company.
"CEO of NK Group of Industries having sx with one of the employees at their own company party. Is this how company higher-ups behave with their employees?"*
Was this a joke? That was his personal life—and mine too. He was a gentleman who only took care of me while I was drunk. How could someone ruin another person's reputation like this?
Because of me, my family now had to live under the shame of a daughter caught red-handed committing a sin.
"Mom, she was drunk last night. She wasn't in control. At least family should understand her!" my brother, Jack, defended me like he always did.
"Stop supporting her, Jack. She's not a child anymore!" my mother snapped, her eyes filled with disgust.
"I told you the day your father forced us to—"
"Liz, shut up! Just go to your room," my father cut her off sharply.
But I couldn't stop myself.
"Mom, stop! What were you saying just now?"
"Liz, I told you to go, please," my father begged her, but I shook my head.
"No, Dad. Let her say it. She's always had hatred toward me. I'm used to her scolding me, even at this age. But I want to know why. Why only me? Am I not her daughter?"
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably.
"No, you are not my daughter," she said coldly.
Her words shattered me.
"Mom, stop this nonsense!" Jack yelled, stepping forward.
But I stepped closer, trembling. "Then why am I here? Just because of one mistake, I'm not your daughter?"
"You're here because of my father-in-law. He forced us to adopt you. We don't even know who your real family is."
My world collapsed. Every memory of my childhood flashed before my eyes. My mother's coldness, her lack of affection, her constant scolding—it all made sense now.
Only my grandfather had loved me like I was his life. After he passed away, no one cared. My brother and sister tried, but my mother never treated me as her own.
"No… this can't be happening. This is just a dream… a long, horrible dream!" I screamed. My father shook me, trying to bring me back to reality.
But reality was far worse.
I felt dizzy. My family blurred before me. Their voices calling my name faded as I lost consciousness.
When I woke up, my parents were fighting. My father blamed my mother for telling me the truth. Stella was standing by the window, crying.
"Stella? Why are you crying, dear?" I asked softly.
She burst into tears and hugged me.
"I… sob… don't want this! How can Mom say you're not my sister?"
"Shh… Stella. I'm always your sister, even if she doesn't approve. You're my Barbie doll. Smile for me, please."
I wiped her tears, but mine flowed freely again.
Then Stella whispered, "Sister, Noah is downstairs. When you fainted, I told him everything. He asked me to call him when you woke up. He's angry about the news."
I nodded, sending her back to her room so she wouldn't hear the arguments. Then I signaled Noah to come upstairs.
I was nervous. Would he believe me?
When he entered, I rushed toward him, wanting to hug him and cry. But he stepped back.
"Noah, it's not what it seems. Please listen to me."
He raised his hand to silence me.
"You created a mess. Everyone thinks I'm cheating on you and using you. Then what are you doing with another man?"
"Noah, please, just listen!"
"You know what, Emily? I was feeling guilty for what I'd done to you—for hurting a pure girl who loved me with her whole heart. I wanted to ask you for one last chance. But now… you're the same as me."
"No! Noah, it's not what it looks like. Please, just this once, listen!"
He stared at me for a long moment, then sighed.
"Fine. Say what you want to say. I'll listen."
Relieved, I explained everything—how I was drinking at the party, how I accidentally kissed the CEO while mistaking him for Noah, how I immediately pulled away and told him the truth.
When I finished, Noah was silent. My heart pounded.
"Noah, please… do you believe me or not? I don't care about the rest of the world—I only care about you. Please say something!"
Finally, he spoke.
"Emily, I'll ask you just two questions. Answer me honestly."
I nodded desperately.
"First— I know I f***ed up our relationship. Will you give me another chance after everything I've done?"
"I'll give you a thousand chances, Noah. Because I don't want to live without you."
He nodded slowly.
"Second—about that picture. Is what you just told me the truth? Can I believe you?"
I opened my mouth to answer—but then, the door burst open.
And my heart dropped.
He was here.
How? How did he find my address? I never even told him my name.
But here he was.
And now… everything was about to change.