A sharp ringing exploded in Emily's ears, as if something inside her skull had detonated.
"That's her father. She can choose not to pursue it, but why should I suffer for no reason? Do you even know what he did to me?"
Her fingers moved across her body, pointing to each violated place as her voice rose. "He touched me here, here, and here... If I hadn't fought my way out, what do you think would have happened to me?!"
"Even if he's despicable, he's still Scarlett's only family. Just let it go for her sake one more time."
Brenton paused, then his tone turned icy. "Besides, he didn't succeed anyway. You slept with Marcellus three years ago, so stop pretending to be some virtuous martyr now!"
Emily fell deathly silent. It felt as though an axe had split her heart wide open, leaving it raw and bleeding.
After a long moment, she spoke in a voice drained of all strength. "Get out."
Brenton slammed the door behind him.
Three years earlier, Emily had already severed ties with her own family. No one stood ready to back her up.
In the end, that vile man was released without charge.
She did not fight it. She simply waited for the day she could finally leave.
Brenton reappeared three days later, carrying a large bouquet, ready to take her home from the hospital.
"There's a quarterly company meeting tonight. As the future president's wife, you need to attend with me."
His tone hovered somewhere between charity and concession.
To avoid raising his suspicions, Emily went along.
Scarlett got hired as his assistant way above her qualifications. She made numerous mistakes during the meeting, yet Brenton watched her with indulgent affection, tolerating every error.
Emily sat forgotten on the side, overhearing the whispers of employees behind her.
"Scarlett is so lucky. Mr. Richardson dotes on her like that. Their relationship might not be proper, but it really looks like true love."
"Shh. What true love? His actual fiancée is sitting right there."
"So what? He loved her so much before, but she cheated and got caught in those filthy photos. She's tainted now. Mr. Richardson chose Scarlett because she's pure and innocent..."
Emily's fingertips trembled violently. Her face turned paper-white. Each breath felt like shards of glass scraping through her lungs. Brenton remained completely oblivious. Only when they stepped onto the stage together for his speech did he frown and say, "Why are your hands so cold?"
He lifted her fingers to his chest, warming them briefly. The small gesture stirred a ripple of murmurs through the crowd.
"Ms. Spencer has the poise that truly matches Mr. Richardson. No matter how cute and innocent Scarlett is, she's still just a silly mistress who doesn't belong in our world."
"If Mr. Richardson didn't love Ms. Spencer, why would he stay entangled with her for three years? He must be madly in love..."
Emily understood every word. Her eyes reddened instantly. She stared across the sea of people toward Brenton, looking as if she might crumble into pieces.
She stumbled back a few steps, then turned and ran out of the hall in tears.
Brenton's face darkened. He fired the employee who had called Scarlett a mistress on the spot.
Then he abandoned everyone and chased after her. He never returned. An hour later, a group message simply announced that the meeting was over.
Emily remained standing on the stage, feeling the stares of pity and mockery pierce her like knives carving her flesh.
She had no memory of how she left the building or made it back to the villa.
The only thing she remembered was pushing open the door and seeing Brenton pressing a blushing Scarlett onto the sofa, kissing her deeply. At that moment, her entire world faded to gray.
She let out a mocking laugh. "There are condoms in the master bedroom. And try not to stain the sofa."
Brenton rose with calm composure and pulled her into his arms. "In just over ten days, I'll be completely yours. Stop being sarcastic and jealous over nothing."
Before Emily could push him away, he stepped back toward the sofa, helped Scarlett up, and tossed her over his shoulder, "Rest well. I won't be coming home tonight. Don't wait up."
Perhaps out of some lingering consideration for her feelings, or fear that she might destroy the bridal suite again, he quickly led Scarlett away.
Emily didn't even glance at them. She went straight to the bedroom, collapsed onto the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.
In the middle of the night, the bedroom lights suddenly blazed on. Brenton dragged her up from the mattress with such force that it felt as if he might crush her wrist bones.
"Why did every company employee receive an email containing Scarlett's nude photos?"
Emily gradually woke, her voice steady. "You're asking me?"
"Stop pretending!"
Brenton gave a cold laugh. "I saw with my own eyes that her father deleted those photos completely that day. After my assistant told me, I questioned him immediately. He confessed that you demanded the photos before you escaped. You also have access to the company's internal mailing system! What else do you have to say for yourself!"
Emily stared at him in disbelief. "You would rather believe that scum than me?"
"I only trust what I see for myself!"
Brenton yanked her forward and dragged her outside. Only then did Emily notice the large bloodstain soaking the front of his white shirt.
"Scarlett slit her wrists because of you. She lost too much blood and is still in emergency surgery. You share the same blood type. You're going to donate to her."
Aksara