Chapter 49

Emily watched Marlon leave and wandered over to the big window in her office. She stared down at the busy city streets.feeling all sorts of emotions.

Outside, people were rushing around, cars were honking, but she felt stuck in her own mess.

She rubbed her neck gently, still feeling a bit of pain. It wasn't just physical; it was emotional too.

Every time she touched the bruise, she remembered Patrick's angry outbursts. He was never kind.

Patrick probably went to the Hughes Group after not finding her in the city.

She couldn't let him know she had bought a house in the suburbs, or he'd never leave her alone.

Thinking back, Emily had chased Patrick for a long time before they got together. She was young and thought Patrick was the most important person in her life. She didn't care about having a title, thinking she could win him over.

But then Shirley came along, always getting in the way. Patrick's favoritism and indifference hurt Emily deeply. HIer pride and self-respect were worn down as she lost her place in Patrick's

heart.

Now, with Patrick's child, she wanted to be there for the baby,to raise the child and find the love she never got from Patrick.

Thinking about this, Emily lightly tapped her forehead.mocking herself for being crazy.

She had just been yelled at and hit by Patrick,yet here she was thinking about him again. She felt pathetic, but she couldn't help it. She was a hopeless romantic and didn't know what to do.

She spoke softly to her belly, "Baby, what should Mommy do?"

Even though the baby was small, she felt a special connection and wanted to create a beautiful future for the child, free from pain and Patrick.

Emily hugged herself, rememnbering how Patrick had stormed out, bleeding, without letting her ask what happened. She knew if it had been Shirley, Patrick would have comforted her instead.

Emily felt a deep sadness, wondering how many times it would take to give up on Patrick. Every time he showed a bit of kindness, she would soften.

She closed her eyes, trying to push thoughts of Patrick away,determined to focus on her work and repay Marlon for his

support. Relying on a man wasn't a long-term solution;she needed to prove her worth through her abilities.

Emily cleared her mind, opened her laptop, and prepared to dive into work.

Starlight University was a top-tier school, and she had graduated with the highest honors in her design program.despite switching majors. She had a natural talent and a knack for developing computer algorithms.

Her fingers danced across the keyboard like a pianist, quickly bringing her design to life.

She could draw parallels and contrasts from the database to avoid clichés, knowing that originality was crucial in jewelry design. She couldn't afford to be accused of copying.Immersed in her work, she forgot everything else around her.

Marlon leaned against the window outside Emily's office,watching her work with a sigh. "Patrick, you've really put me in a tough spot. Coming to my company and attacking my employee, should I fight back?"

He felt frustrated and helpless.

Marlon remembered his mother, Robyn Hughes, urging him to study and manage the company when he was younger.He had always thought she was nagging and had been complacent,lacking ambition. Now, seeing the Rivera Family's assets far

surpassing his own, he realized how naive he had been. He understood that hard work and ambition were essential to succeed in the business world.

He smiled bitterly, finally understanding that working hard wasn't just for the family, but also to protect the woman he loved. Yet, facing Patrick, he lacked the courage to protest.

Marlon sighed, turned away from Emily's office door,and silently vowed to become stronger, for himself and to protect Emily.

Sunlight streamed down the hallway as Marlon's figure receded,while Emily remained focused on her work in the office.

What they didn't know was that after Patrick's visit to the Hughes Group, rumors about Emily had spread like wildfire.After all, the fire escape wasn't deserted, and the door didn't muffle sound.