Chapter 18 Ms. Hoven Is In Hot Demand The news of Emelie contacting several companies in a short time quickly spread throughout the circle. This was brought up during William’s weekend outing with his friends on the horse riding trails. Troy Spencei asked bluntly, “For real? Can Will really bear to part with Ms. Hoven?” “Of course it’s real. My human resources department manager even contacted her. I’m just not sure why she declined our work offer–whether it was because we didn’t meet her career expectations or because I know Will.” Elias Undvike said. He then shot William a look as if blaming the latter for preventing him from gaining a valuable employee. William was dressed in a black riding habit while sitting atop a white horse. He appeared significantly more aloof and absorbed in his own thoughts than usual. Despite his friends discussing Emelie, William seemed to treat her as though she were a stranger. But William’s friends concluded that William seemed to have always felt this way about Emelie. Thought she’d been the only woman by his side all these years, William never treated her as anything special. In the past, William’s friends had discussed behind his back what Emelie was to William. They were not involved romantically, as William never referred to Emelie as his girlfriend. Besides, labeling Emelie his lover or mistress wasn’t it, given he’d never spent much money on her. Those in their circle were prone to giving lavish gifts to the women they slept with, such as houses, cars, or, at the very least, designer bags. William had been the one who gave Daphne the Hermès bag she carried around. In the end, it was Elias, who’d grown up with William, who defined William’s relationship with Emelie. William was a man with needs, so he naturally needed women to fulfill said needs. He didn’t want to waste his time with a relationship, so he went with Emelie instead. In other words, while Emelie was constantly in turmoil over this relationship with William, the latter didn’t really think too much of it. As for Daphne, not even William’s friends understood what was so special about her, not to mention Emelie herself. The truth about what happened at the hospital the other day had come out. As it turned out, Daphne had framed Emelie, yet William still kept Daphne by his side. William’s friends really didn’t understand why he was so biased toward Daphne. Jayden Gleamfield smiled. “It’s definitely not because you know William. Ms. Hoven knew I was friends with William, but she didn’t refuse my HR manager and instead chatted with them for a long time over the phone.” Troy immediately said, “I’ll have my HR manager contact her too. Whoever gets to employ Ms. Hoven will benefit a lot. I’ve long set my eyes on her!” Jayden glanced at William before saying. “You’re too late.“. 12 Ms. Hoven is in Hot Demand Elias cocked an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Have you employed her?” “Do you know Feyd Ryder?” Jayden asked. “The son of the Ryder fantily who owns Ryde–Like–the–Wind Inc.?” Troy asked. “Yeah. I saw Feyd eating out with Ms. Hoven yesterday.” Troy was stumped. “Who knew Ms. Hoven was in high demand?” “Not only that,” Jayden continued. “But Ms. Hoven seemed to have injured her leg. She didn’t refuse when Feyd helped her out of the car. They seemed quite close. Last night, Feyd even shared on his social media that he was about to have success in both his career and love life.” Troy and Elias exchanged a silent glance before both casting a quick glance at William–no words were necessary for them to grasp the implied meaning. The horse trails were long and far. The men rode their horses several rounds before leaving near midday. William tailed behind his friends, seeming unhappy. Jayden pulled his horse’s reins so that it matched William’s pace. “Will,” Jayden called, making William turn to look at him. Like his surname, Jayden was a glowing picture of grace and elegance. In fact, everyone in his family was known for such characteristics. The Gleamfield family’s gemstone mines had undergone an accident a couple of years back, causing their cash flow to come to a stop. It was Cloudex Corporation who came to their aid and also how Jayden befriended William. They had been good friends since and would often speak from their hearts to one another. Jayden said, “Ms. Hoven has worked for you for three years. She’s nev
Category: Winning Her Heart Back
Winning Her Heart Back
When Emelie Hoven was hopelessly in love with William Middleton, she almost ended up losing her life. But to William, she was only someone convenient who he thought couldn’t live without him. And so, she decided to stop loving him. William didn’t like that Emelie was too calm, too rational, and too independent. Later, his wish came true- he got to see her relying on someone and being gentle. He wasn’t the recipient, though.
On the day of Emelie’s wedding, she smiles brightly as she sits on a chair and waits for her groom and his groomsmen to pass the test she and her bridesmaids have set up for them. The atmosphere is lively. Suddenly, William shows up out of nowhere. He gets on one knee before her and holds her hands, looking like he’s almost worshipping her. “Leave him, please. Come with me. You loved me first, didn’t you?”
Chapter 17 Pissing Off William ‘Fuck me… I sure hope that bitch and that asshole never get tired of each other!” Mona exclaimed. Emelle had cleared out her desk at the office that very day and headed straight home. Mona couldn’t help but be intrigued by such a bold move. E After Mona questioned Emelie about what happened, Emelie finally told Mona all that had happened all this while. Mona then proceeded to cuss out William and Daphne for half an hour, only getting angrier the more she did. Mona then went to get a cold beer from the fridge and took a large gulp of it. She asked Emelie, “Did you quit your job just like that?” Emelie was in the middle of applying medicine to her injured leg. She answered flatly. “Didn’t you always hope I’d leave William? Are you going to tell me I acted too rashly by quitting just like that?” “Of course not! I’m ecstatic that you’re finally leaving him. Tjust think you’ve gone too easy on those two assholes!” Mona scowled. She then pursed her lips and asked, “How did William react when you told him you were resigning?” “I left before I could see his reaction.” Mona asked, “He didn’t go after you?” “No.” Emelie had limped slowly to the hospital after injuring her leg. When she was about to get a taxi, she spotted William’s car driving by with Daphne in the front passenger seat. Mona said sadly, “I did hope you’d leave William. But now I’m dissatisfied that he didn’t try to stop you. Emelie smiled, understanding that Mona thought things shouldn’t turn out like this. Emelle had been with William for three years only to be so aggrieved. Now that she was leaving him, he wasn’t even doing anything to hold on to her. It made Emelie feel incredibly helpless. Emelie longed to see William regretting his decision and trying to make her stay with all his might. Most people would’ve done that, but William wasn’t most people. He was incredibly blessed in all aspects- looks, physique, capabilities, influence, as well as admirers. Emelie was nothing to William at all. She consoled Mona, “Look on the bright side. Not only have I quit my job, I’m still getting paid when I’m not even going to work for a whole month before my resignation.” Mona livened up in an instant. “You can demand compensation fees from him for your leg injury! This is amazing!” Emelie smiled. “What do you mean demand? It’s not like I got injured on purpose. Plus, Social Security Services are the ones compensating me. Cloudex only needs to pay me my salary.” *The details aren’t important. What matters is that you clapped back wonderfully today! Take the rest of the month to nurse your leg before you find a new job. Mona had wanted to add that Emelle should find employment at a company that was a hundred times better than Cloudex, but that suggestion seemed unfeasible. After all, Cloudex Corporation was the country’s largest investment company. Emelie said, “I was actually contacted by several companies through their headhunters when I was at the branch in Vinetown.” ‘See?” Mona’s eyes brightened. “Headhunters have already set their eyes on a genius like you! Did you find any of the companies suitable?” “There were a couple, but I want to do more research about them before I decide.” Mona felt gleeful. “You’re going to seamlessly join another company right after your break! That will definitely piss off William–that jackass!” Emelie didn’t really care about whether William would be pissed off anymore. She wanted to leave him the instant Daphne showed up. She’d only returned from Vineto
Chapter 16 Emelle Resigns It was only at this moment that Emelle looked directly at William, saying, “This was just fulfilling our bet Everyone here, Including yourself, Mr. Middleton, are all my witnesses. I’m simply executing the outcome of that wager. Do you find fault with my actions, Mr. Middleton? Where did I go wrong?” Emelie’s usually calm demeanor vanished. Now, bristling with defensiveness, she resembled a hedgehog with its spines all prickled up. This sudden transformation left William feeling like he was looking at a stranger. “She accused and tried to frame me. It’s conceivable she was the one who tampered with the rope to set me up. Without solid proof, based solely on her accusations and your biased defense, Mr. Middleton, I would’ve been vilified, perhaps even accused of committing suicide out of guilt. Why should I tolerate such unfairness? And why shouldn’t I seek justice?” Emelie’s retort was forceful, her gaze locked with William’s, unwavering and dignified. “What if Mr. Smith had suffered severe injuries, demanding accountability without leniency? Would I then be expected to apologize, compensate, or even face legal repercussions? It was merely a slap, and I already spared her much.” This was a side of Emelie that William had never witnessed. He remembered her as someone who always. endured, never asserting herself. Daphne was sobbing on the bed. She lifted her head upon hearing that. She defiantly declared, “Yes, I confess to slandering you, and I deserved that slap! However, I only stretched the truth. “I never interfered with the rope, and the video lacks any evidence of me doing so. Isn’t your accusation against me now based on speculation? How is what you’re doing any different from my actions?” Emelie looked at her. Daphne wasn’t as naïve as she had assumed, managing a counterattack worthy of someone who could influence William. With tears streaming down her face, Daphne pleaded, “I was just jealous of you being so close to Mr. Middleton, which led me to impulsively say those things. Mr. Middleton, I’m sorry. “I realize my mistake. I shouldn’t have been so petty, thinking if you weren’t so perfect, maybe he wouldn’t like you as much, and he might notice me. I know such thoughts are despicable. You were with Mr. Middleton first, and I’m the intruder-” William interjected, “You’re not.” Emelie couldn’t even muster the desire to smile. William wasn’t just accepting Daphne’s explanation; he believed her completely, treasuring her honesty. Indeed, she wasn’t the intruder. The true intruders were those unloved, and that position belonged to Emelie William turned his attention back to Emelle However, his expression was hard to read athers anduol You’ve done enough. Emelle mustered all her strength to break free from his grip as if breaking away from the constraints he had placed on her for three years. She had had enough of it all. Emelie took a deep breath and lifted her head as she announced, “Mr. Middleton, my employment contract with Cloudex Corporation is up in a month. I’ll send a written resignation to the HR department and your email, I’ll leave when the contract ends.” Indeed, it was time for her to resign. The decision caught everyone off guard, silencing even Daphne, who had been crying. She was the victim, and she shouldn’t have been the one to leave! “This injury occurred on the job. I will obtain documentation–from the hospital to apply for leave and workers‘ compensation. I won’t be able to work for the rest of the month.” Overwhelmed by betrayal, neglect, favoritism, dismissal, skepticism, and mistrust, Emelie reached her limit, finding no justification to continue enduring. She desired to avoid seeing him, even in this final month!
Chapter 15 No Holding Back To everyone’s surprise, Emelie simply stated, “Ten minutes is all I need.” Daphne was caught off guard, and William’s brows knitted. Emelie bore the pain in her leg as she leaned on the bed ralling for support and approached the factory manager. “Manager, I need to speak with you in private.” “Of course, go ahead,” the factory manager quickly responded. Emelie said in a low voice, “Could you please call over the blogger who was taking photos in the factory? I saw him helping with bringing the injured to the hospital, and he should still be in the emergency room.” The factory manager paused, then whispered, “Alright, I’ll go get him now,” Emelie nooded. “Thank you.” Their whispered conversation went unheard by the rest. William’s gaze on Emelie was cold and detached, while Daphne appeared visibly anxious. Was Emelie just bluffing, or did she genuinely have something up her sleeve? The factory manager wasn’t gone for long before he returned with a black bag, piquing everyone’s curiosity about its contents. He informed Emelie. “The young man said he knew why you were looking for him. Since he was unable to come, he gave this to me instead of coming himself.” Emelie took the bag, opened it, and found a camera inside–the exact reason she sought him out. Surprisingly, the man had anticipated her request. Emelie began to search through the photos without wasting time on further thought. She had been right to suspect she was the focus of the photos in the camera, with the most recent ones predominantly of her. Daphne couldn’t help but inquire, “What’s that camera for?” “It belonged to a young man who photographed the boat today. It’s his camera. I’m unsure why the secretary needed it. Maybe he captured something significant,” the manager explained. Daphne clenched her fingers tightly out of sight, a flicker of unease in her eyes. Emelie scrolled through the albums until she stumbled upon a video. After watching it briefly, she paused it.. She faced the camera toward Daphne, and confronted her, “You claim to have seen me tampering with the rope, yet how do you explain this?” The foo The footage was captured perfectly, showing Emelie and Daphne near rope number 4, and Emelie’s hands never once reaching for it! As everyone gathered to watch, the video’s 4K clarity and unobstructed view left no doubt about what happened, nullifying any chance of fabrication. How would Daphne explain her firm assertion that she saw Emelie tampering with the rope? The room’s focus shifted to Daphne, including William’s. Daphne began to pale, realizing the evidence was against her. “I.…..” Emelie advanced with the camera in hand, pressing, “How do you explain now?” Daphne instinctively retreated, stammering. “I… I didn’t expect…” “Didn’t expect that I’d actually find proof, or that I’d find it so swiftly?” Daphne was at a loss and bit her lip in reluctance. How could it be such a coincidence? If not for that opportune video, Emelie would have had no escape “So, you thought I had no way to explain myself unless by some fluke chance that someone took a picture. Is that your line of thinking?” Emelie continued. Daphne fell silent, outmaneuvered by Emelie’s sharp deduction. After all, Emelie was the head secretary at Cloudex Corporation, seasoned in navigating the corporate world far before Daphne even finished her studies. Avoiding a fight with Daphne didn’t mean she was incapable of winning. She had seen through far too many naive schemes like Daphne’s. “Even without the video, I could have gone to the police. Would my fingerprints be on the rope? A simple test would tell,” Emelie said. Daphne was rendered speechless. Emelie continued, “You thought you could frame me with a flawed and naive plot. Why did you believe it would work? Because you thought you had support, you assumed I’d just swallow the defeat as before?” Daphne was lost for words and desperate. She turned to William for support. “Mr. Middleton…” … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 15” »
Chapter 14 The Bet of a Slap “Ouch!” Daphne let out a soft scream as the nurse was disinfecting her wound. William immediately approached and asked, “How was it?” “It’s just a scratch, I’m fine,” Daphne replied. She then showed concern for him. “Mr. Middleton, how about your shoulder? Does it hurt? You should really get it checked by a doctor.” William had injured his shoulder while shielding Daphne from being hit by the boat’s edge. “It’s fine,” William said indifferently. He carefully instructed upon seeing Daphne’s palm, “Avoid getting the wound wet before it heals to prevent infection. I’ll arrange for a caretaker to look after you.” “I’m capable of taking care of myself. You shouldn’t always treat me like a child who knows nothing.” Daphne said. As Emelie watched their intimate interaction, her growing exhaustion and disillusionment finally crashed over her like a wave, leaving her submerged in resignation. Everything she had done was pointless. Emelie silently shifted her injured leg off the bed and attempted to stand, the sharp pain shooting from her foot to her heart. She had nearly been crippled, yet William hadn’t shown her any concern. Meanwhile, Daphne received his constant attention over a mere scrape, even getting assigned someone to take care of her. She gave an expressionless smile and decided she couldn’t bear it any longer. It was time for a confrontation. “Do you really want to stick to your story, Daphne?” she questioned. “Ms. Hoven, I’ve always respected you and want to support you. However, given the gravity of today’s events… Lying isn’t in my nature.” Her claim of “lying isn’t in my nature implied she stood by her words, suggesting she wouldn’t outright lie to frame Emelie. Emelie understood the meaning beneath her words. However, she sought a direct answer, so she pressed further, “Did you really see me touch the rope with your own eyes?” William was the first to grow impatient. “How many times do you need to ask?” Daphne calmed him softly. “Please, Mr. Middleton, calm down. Ms. Hoven is merely seeking confirmation from me, and that’s alright. Chapter 14 The Bet of Stan “We both played a part in this incident. I failed to alert her, and she Interacted with the rope, so I should, also bear responsibility. Once Mr. Smith is conscious, we should both apologize to him.” “You’re not at fault here,” William said, furrowing his brow. Emelie ignored William’s interjection and focused on Daphne’s confirmation. “If I uncover evidence proving you lied, Daphne, how will you apologize?” Emelie challenged. Daphne hesitated, not fully grasping Emelie’s Intent until she proposed, “How about a slap bet?” After all, it was her words that were causing trouble! William’s anger was palpable. “Have you had enough? Do you want to escalate the situation further?” Emelie fixed her gaze at Daphne. “Afraid to bet? Weren’t you confident in what you saw? Or are you admitting to lying?” Daphne blinked. The tension was rising in the room while it was filled with the factory manager, colleagues, and medical staff. All eyes on her. Emelie cornered her expertly. If Daphne refused the bet, it would cast doubt on the reliability of her claims. Backing down wasn’t an option, especially in William’s presence.. What kind of evidence could Emelie possibly uncover without surveillance in the factory? Perhaps she was merely attempting to intimidate her. Daphne understood Emelie was bluffing, aiming to unsettle her with fear. Both were aware of the truth regarding the incident. Emelie’s strategy seemed to be applying pressure to provoke a retreat from Daphne, which would give. Emelie a tactical advantage. Recognizing the tactic, Daphne saw it as her moment to decisively expel Emelie! She met Emelie’s gaze firmly, affirming, “I am accountable for everything I’ve said and am ready to … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 14” »
Chapter 13 Outright Accusation The accident happened suddenly, and it was entirely unexpected. Chaos ensued at the scene as people scrambled to clear the debris and rush the Injured to the hospital Fortunciely, the cultural heritage boat was merely a framework and not particularly heavy. Emelie’s lower leg was struck but an X–ray showed no fracture. Had the boat been complete, its considerable weight in the tons would have resulted in a much more severe injury. However, the incident had left Mr. Smith unconscious, necessitating an e explanation. While the injured were being attended to, the factory manager quickly investigated what had happened It turned out one of the hemp ropes holding the cultural heritage boat aloft had loosened, causing the boat to lose balance and triggered the accident. The critical question was why that particular rope had come undone. In the hospital room, the factory manager lamented. “The loosened rope was marked number 4, but we have no surveillance in the factory, so it’s unclear how it happened. According to witnesses, only one person had been near that spot before the accident occurred, and it was…” William’s expressionless face was recognized by those who knew him well as his expression of anger. Who?” The manager hesitantly glanced in a direction. “It was…” Emelie was propped up in her hospital bed as she suddenly spoke up, “It was me.” William looked at her. She presented a sorrowful image with her hair in disarray, clothes stained, and a thick bandage around her slender leg. It brought back memories of the previous night when she had gazed at him with tears in her eyes, equally pitiable. He inhaled deeply, his voice cool as he asked, “What were you doing there?” “I was answering Daphne’s question about the profitability of investing in the cultural heritage boat factory, “Emelie replied truthfully. The factory manager appeared even more distraught. “Profit? The cedar wood we use for the cultural heritage boats took us five years to source. Without the right wood, a 330–foot boat is impossible to build. Now that it’s damaged, I don’t even know if it can be repaired. The loss is significant…” William asked, “Did you touch the rope?” Emelie responded clearly, “No, I didn’t.” But just after Emelle spoke, Daphne Interjected in a low voice, “It seemed like there was…” Emelie and William both looked her way. Despite Daphne being the least hurt with only a scraped palm, she still received medical care because William insisted. Her watery eyes met theirs from her seat on the edge of the bed. Emelie straightened up. “It seemed like there was? What does that mean?” Daphne was intimidated by her cold tone and stammered, “Ms. Hoven, I remembered you seemed to pull on the rope, so I thought…” “Go on,” William urged. “So I thought… Perhaps that accidental tug loosened the rope… Mr. Middleton, I’m sorry, I had no ideal such a small action could lead to serious consequences. Had I known, I would have stopped Ms. Hoven, possibly preventing this from happening.” Emelie stared in disbelief. She had tolerated Daphne’s manipulations, understanding that the reason fell short of bias, but Daphne’s outright accusation was beyond her expectations! Emelie’s expression grew significantly colder. “Repeat what you just said, what did I touch?” “Mr. Middleton,” Daphne whimpered, retreating behind William and adopting a pitiful guise. “I’m asking her the question,” William said, looking at Emelie. Emelie was aware that William intended to refrain her from speaking, Daphne’s tactics seemed ludicrous to Emelie. Yet, William’s rebuke brought her frustration and resentment to a peak. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 13” »
Chapter 12 A Sneaky Snapshot The next morning, Emelle joined William in welcoming Mr. Smith from yesterday to the boat factory. Cloudex Corporation focused on venture capital and emerged as one of the nation’s top investment firms with extensive projects and influence both domestically and Internationally. It played a key role in backing government–supported projects, notably this cultural heritage boat factory. Emelle had managed to compose herself from last night’s emotional upheaval. Now, she’s perfectly embodying the role of a CEO’s secretary by William’s side. She spoke when needed and remained silently observant when not. There was a diverse collection of cultural heritage boats displayed inside the expansive factory, each boat was vibrant and unique. An elderly factory manager led them through the exhibits,-earning repeated expressions of admiration from Mr. Smith. “These boats are only 60 feet. We’re in the process of constructing the longest cultural heritage boat in the world, targeting to be 330 feet. Once it’s complete, we intend to apply for a Guinness World Record to bring global recognition to our cultural heritage boats,” the manager said with pride. *330 feet? That’s taller than some buildings. It must be a spectacular sight on water! Could I have the honor of seeing it?” Mr. Smith was visibly amazed. “Of course, it’s actually right above us. Have a look,” the manager replied with a smile. As everyone looked up, they saw an enormous boat suspended from the ceiling, its full length extending beyond their view. “It occupies too much space on the ground, so hanging it was the best solution to conserve space. We’ve only finished the basic structure. A lengthy process still lies ahead. The next step is the completion of the body structure,” explained the manager. While all eyes were on the boat, Emelie sensed as if someone was targeting her with their gaze. She scanned the area and spotted a tall man in a corner. The man’s face was concealed by a hat and mask. He was aiming a long–focus camera in their direction. Emelie frowned as she asked, “Factory manager, who is that person?” The manager glanced over. “He claims to be a blogger, someone who posts stuff online. Hearing about. our cultural heritage and the 330–foot boat, he wanted to capture it. I thought it’d be good publicity, so I allowed it.” Emelie considered the man’s focus could logically be on the uniquely lengthy cultural heritage boat, especially as they stood right beneath it. She thought she might be overthinking it. Emelle shifted her focus back, just as William extended his hand to her, catching her off guard. She hesitated as she was uncertain of his Intentions. William’s hand hovered mid–air for a good 20 to 30 seconds until he frowned at Emelie. It took her a second to realize he was asking for a wet wipe for his hands. A man with his cleanliness habits would naturally want to clean his hands after touching anything. Previously, Emelie would keenly observe his every action, memorizing all his habits and understanding his needs from a mere glance or gesture. But today, her attention was elsewhere. Emelie handed him a wet wipe from her bag when she felt a pang of surprise at her own lapse in attention. Her thoughts were not as centered on him as they used to be. This moment of neglect caught William’s eye, prompting him to observe her more closely than usual. The previous night’s slap didn’t leave any mark, it was as if the incident had never occurred. Daphne was also present. She noticed William’s prolonged gaze on Emelie and a sentence crossed her mind, “You can’t move up until there’s room at the top.” Daphine suddenly called out, “Ms. Hoven.” As Emelie turned, she caught the man taking photos in her direction again. She was certain it wasn’t al misperception this time as he was focusing directly on her. She thought about confronting the man but decided against it with Mr. Smith around, to avoid creating a scene. She figured there would be time to address it later as the tour was almost over. “What is it?” Emelie asked, turning to Daphne. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 12” »
Chapter 11 Disloyalty Emelle parked and walked up to him. “Mr. Middleton” The dim streetlight on the path faintly outlined William’s stern expression. He didn’t look at Emelie, the tip of his cigarette flickering in the dark. Emelle sighed Inwardly, glanced around, and noticed a 24–hour convenience store nearby. She headed to the store, picked up a chicken sandwich, and made her way back. “You barely ate anything tonight. Have something to feed your stomach, so you don’t get a stomachache again.” William glanced at her and took the sandwich. Emelie spoke in a low voice, “Even if you’re dissatisfied with what Mr. Middleton Senior said, you shouldn’t have talked back to him in such a manner. He’s prone to high blood pressure and was even hospitalized at the end of last year…” Suddenly, William let out a cold laugh and threw away the sandwich. He swiftly grabbed Emelie, opened the car door, and pressed her into the back seat! His movements were seamless, leaving Emelic feeling like the world is spinning around her. Her nerves exploded, and she blocked William. “Mr. Middleton! Not here, please!” He restrained her hands above her head, his tone devoid of any warmth. He chillingly said, “Even Ms. Hoven has learned to say no? I thought you were everyone’s favorite.” Trapped in the cramped space of the back seat, his presence was overwhelming. Emelie paused before asking the question burning inside her, “Who claims I’m everyone’s favorite? Clearly, Mr. Middleton, you aren’t fond of me… But what about Daphne? Do your feelings for her run deep. or are they merely passing fancy?” She initially believed William’s interest in Daphne to be nothing more than a fleeting curiosity or a mild attraction. Yet, his s tolerance of Daphne’s stance on premarital relations took her by surprise, indicating she may have misunderstood the nature of their relationship. Her previous misjudgment had led to a two–month exile. Now, any misjudgments seemed to spell the end of whatever was between her and William. She could have chosen not to ask. There was virtue in obliviousness, in not seeking too deep, pretending nothing happened so everyone could live in peace. Since she was saved by him three years ago, she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. Chapter 11 Disloyalty She thought that she was content to be by his side, even if it meant losing her dignity to become nothing more than a tool. After all, if not for him, she would have ended up in a far worse state at the hands of those people three. years ago. But that wasn’t the case. Human nature craved more with every inch given. And from the moment she had fallen for him, she had greedily wanted everything she could not have. As she watched the affection, blas, and even the marriage she longed for being extended to someone else, her patience had worn thin, leading her to finally voice her thoughts. Had he truly fallen for Daphne? Was it the kind of affection that led to marriage? William remained silent, his gaze fixed on her in the dim light. However, his quiet almost served as an admission. Emelie softly laughed. “You wish to marry her yet you’re here with me. Doesn’t that seem somewhat disloyal?” “You’re merely a tool, how does loyalty come into it?” Before he could finish speaking, a slap landed swiftly and accurately on William’s face. It wasn’t forceful, but Emelie hadn’t expected herself to make such a move. Their eyes locked. William felt the sting of being hit for the first time, particularly by the woman he least respected, chilling him to the core. Emelie might have referred to herself as a tool, but hearing it from William inflicted a different kind of pain. She slapped him, but she had no regrets. She even felt herself trembling. For the first time, she understood the sensation of trembling with rage. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 11” »
Chapter 10 I Won’t Be Marrying Her Before getting off from work, Emelie entered the CEO’s office to drop off some documents. She then mentioned. “Your mother called me at noon, inviting us for dinner tonight. Mr. Middleton, it’s been half year since you last visited.” a William furrowed his brows. He was visibly annoyed. “Do you often contact my family?” “Not really. It’s always your mother who calls me,” Emelie responded. William glanced at his watch and tossed the car keys to her. “You drive. I’ll have the driver take Daphne home.” ut couldn’t As she followed him, Emelie found herself at the edge of asking something significant but muster the courage to voice it. She feared hearing the answer she already knew would come During the Middleton family dinner, Vanessa kept adding more food to Emelie’s plate, expressing concern, “Why have you lost so much weight? You look so pale. Are you sick?” William, naturally reserved and taciturn, was even more so with the Middleton family, He barely spoke after greeting his father, Henry Middleton, upon their arrival. He watched Emelie manage the conversation with his parents while Emelie touched her face, smiling as she replied, “Oh, it’s probably just today’s lipstick not suiting me. I’ll throw it out when I get back.” As Cloudex Corporation’s CEO’s head secretary, Emelie was adept at saying the right things, delighting Vanessa. Suddenly, William remembered Daphne’s words from earlier. Indeed, everyone liked Emelie. Not just colleagues and clients, but the elders too. She had seamlessly integrated into both his professional and personal lives over the past three years, dealing with matters both within and beyond her scope.. Thus, his parents and friends had silently thought she would become his wife, even discussing their marriage more than once. William couldn’t help but smirk at the thought. As he expected, the topic of marriage came up again at dinner. After bracing herself all afternoon, Emelie still found herself lost for words, looking toward William for some guidance. William casually sipped his water. His voice was devoid of any warmth or flavor as he stated, “I won’t be marrying her.” The piece of rib Emalle had just picked up fell back into her bowl with a soft clink. But what William said landed heavily in her heart, fracturing it like glass under pressure. For a moment, she couldn’t hear her own heartbeat. Henry questioned in n low voice, “If you’re not marrying Emelle, then who? That young secretary from the company? Don’t think I’m unaware of the foolish notions you’ve been up tol “Mr. Middleton…” Emelie instinctively wanted to diffuse the sudden tension, a role she often played in their father–son disagreements, William’s face showed nothing but frosty aloofness, like feeling his boundaries had been breached. “Dad, you’re intruding too much. And regarding foolish actions, you’ve had your own share in the past. Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Middleton?” Vanessa’s face stiffened. Henry slammed the table, standing up as he roared, “Asshole!” William grabbed a napkin and stood up as he said, “I’ve finished, I’ll be leaving now.” As Henry’s complexion turned a stormy shade, Vanessa quickly offered him some water, trying to calm. him down. “Relax, dear. Remember your blood pressure problem. Try to stay calm.” Emelie instinctively tried to create an excuse for William, saying, “Mr. Middleton had a tough time with the clients today, and that’s why he’s upset.” Henry was rubbing his temples and countered, “I’m well aware of his temperament, there’s no need to defend him.” Vanessa tried to smooth things over and said, “Will is now the CEO of such a major corporation. You can’t still talk to him like he’s a child. Let it be.” She then turned to Emelie and added, “I’m sorry you had to witness that, Emelie. Please, go check on William. Feel free to use any of the cars in the yard.” Emelie didn’t really want to check on William. Once, the memory of their first meeting provided Emelie with comfort, giving her strength to endure any challenge. However, she now hesitated to follow him. … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 10” »
Chapter 9 Good Fortune Emille sighed heavily as she crossed the street to a pharmacy to pick up some ointments. It was there that she received a call from William’s mother, Vanessa Rowe. “Emelle, how have you been lately? Why haven’t you come to visit us at home?” Emelie smiled and replied, “Auntie, I’m doing well. I’ve been a bit busy with work recently. Now that it’s less hectic, I’ll come over this weekend to visit you and Uncle.” “Why wait for the weekend if you’re free now? Come have dinner with Willian and us tonight. I’ll cook up some of your favorite dishes.” “Sure, I’ll let Mr. Middleton know,” Emelie said. Vanessa playfully scolded, “Stop with the formalities of calling him Mr. Middleton. It feels so impersonal after all these years. We were even discussing your wedding with William a few months back.” Emelie nearly tripped over the pharmacy’s doorstep. Their wedding? She blinked in surprise, not anticipating Vanessa would suddenly bring up such a matter. Vanessa was not William’s biological mother but his stepmother. Emelie was aware of the family secrets that had caused a rift between William and his family, resulting in his infrequent contact with them. Vanessa and William’s father often learned of his well–being through Emelie, developing a fondness for her as time went on. Emelie believed their affection was purely due to her professional capabilities, unaware that it encompassed thoughts of her marrying William Emelie felt a mix of anxiety and confusion. She replied, “Auntie, I’ve got a client meeting soon, but Mrs. Middleton…. William and I will come by for dinner tonight.” “That’s great!” Vanessa said. After ending the call, Emelie stood dazed for a moment before hailing a taxi to her appointment. Unbeknownst to her, a car had been parked by the roadside, watching her for some time. The man inside even took a photo of her with his camera. The appointment with the client was set in the most famous hotel in Capebatt City, serving authentic local cuisine Emelie passed the ointment to Daphne from under the table and then sat next to William. This client was previously handled by Emelie during their first collaboration with Cloudex Corporation, so he warmly greeted Emelie in Asteshese, “Ms. Hoven, I haven’t seen you in a while. What caused your delay? I was searching for you and thought perhaps you’d left the company.” Emelle replied in Asteshese, “Good to see you, Mr. Smith. I had to return to the car for a moment to retrieve Mr. Middleton’s gift for you. My apologies for being late.” She then presented him with a gift. Mr. Smith exclaimed upon seeing it, “Ah, a cultural heritage boat model! I’ve seen videos of such boat races online. It’s a shame we’re not in the festival season to see the real thing.” William said, “That’s not a problem. If Mr. Smith is interested, we can arrange a visit tomorrow.” Mr. Smith was puzzled and asked, “Tomorrow?” Emelie explained, “Mr. Middleton had recently invested in an exceptional factory known for manufacturing boats of cultural heritage. “This model is just one of their creations, and the factory houses genuine historical boats as well. If this catches your interest, we could arrange a visit by tomorrow.” Mr. Smith agreed enthusiastically, praising Emelie for her thoughtfulness, “Mr. Middleton is fortunate to have such a secretary.” William cast a glance at Emelie, acknowledging her versatility in any setting. Looking at her now, who would guess that just three years prior, she was the so–called “country bumpkin‘ struggling with Asteshese? Upon returning from the restroom after lunch, Emelie caught the sound of Daphne’s tearful, faltering voice outside the dining room. She lamented, “I… I’m such a fool, unable to assist you or do anything right. How I wish I were as competent as Ms. Hoven.” William teased, “Why compare yourself to her?” “It’s just that everyone seems to admire Ms. Hoven–the colleagues, the clients. I really wish I could be as helpful to you, Mr. Middleton,” Daphne said. “Just being by my side is helpful enough. Isn’t keeping the boss in a good mood a talent?” William replied. Daphne’s tears turned into laughter. Emelie felt a lump in her throat and decided against going inside. Instead, she took a taxi back to the office by herself. An hour later, William and a visibly joyful Daphne made their way back Upon seeing Emelie, Daphne paused momentarily before inquiring. “Ms. Hoven, did you return by yourself? … Read More “Winning CHAPTER 9” »