Chapter 6

Finally, Emily sighed and drank the ginger tea in one go. "Yes, it still tastes good."

Emily did ultimately forgive Daniel.

Having just been released after three years of isolation from the outside world, Daniel knew little about current events. She simply couldn't hold anything against him.

After finishing the ginger tea, she looked up to see Daniel kneeling before her, his eyes reddened.

"Emily, I'm useless. I couldn't protect you or Nancy. To think you're being threatened by someone like Alexander. I just..."

A hot tear fell onto Emily's hand.

The last traces of resentment in Emily's heart finally melted away.

She stood and helped Daniel to his feet, shaking her head gently. "This isn't your fault. Don't take responsibility for everything. As for Sophie's case..."

Emily took a deep, weary breath. "If she's willing to cooperate, I'll do my best."

A bitter taste rose in her throat, but Emily deliberately ignored it, offering Daniel a wan smile.

Seeing Emily like this, Daniel felt a sharp pain in his chest.

He reached out, wanting to touch her cheek like he used to, but Emily instinctively pulled away.

The moment turned awkward.

"Emily..." Daniel called her name once, then fell silent, unsure what to say.

Emily composed herself and smiled as she pushed his hand away. "We're not kids anymore—no need for head pats! Alright, I'm going to bed, and you should get some rest too!"

Another day passed, and Emily's job applications continued to yield nothing but silence.

She had even lowered her standards, applying to smaller firms.

But she either received no response or failed to meet even the interview criteria.

Emily frowned.

Despite not having a law degree, she had passed the bar exam. By all rights, she shouldn't be this unemployable.

A vague suspicion formed in Emily's mind, one that was confirmed by an HR representative's response:

[Ms. Ward, I must say, you're certainly qualified for our legal position at our small firm!]

[However, it seems you've offended someone influential. That person has essentially blacklisted you—at least in Bellevue, no one will dare hire you!]

[So please don't waste your energy! Sorry, and best wishes!]

The HR person was extremely cautious, deleting all messages after Emily had read them.

Reading these words, Emily felt ice spread through her veins.

If her guess was correct, that person had to be Alexander.

Emily clutched her phone tightly, her knuckles turning pale.

Had Alexander's hatred for her reached this point?

Complex emotions burned through her, scorching her insides with unbearable pain.

But reality left her no choice. She had to calm herself and contact Alexander to negotiate.

He answered her call surprisingly quickly. "Finally remembered to call?"

Emily wondered if it was her imagination, or if there was a hint of mockery in Alexander's question.

Then again, he had effortlessly reduced her to a desperate outcast—it would be strange if he weren't pleased with himself.

Emily felt like her chest was stuffed with stone, making each breath a struggle.

"Mr. Foster, I'd like to meet with you."

He had always avoided meeting her. If not for Eleanor's insistence, they wouldn't even have their obligatory monthly meetings.

Emily prepared herself for ridicule or rejection, with persuasive arguments ready on her tongue.

But Alexander didn't follow the expected script. "Why should I agree to meet you? Emily, are you still my employee?"

His tone deepened slightly, making it impossible to tell if he was teasing or warning her.

Emily wiped her face roughly, trying to keep her voice from breaking. "Alexander, can we meet or not?"

She could no longer maintain a polite tone, but this inadvertently pleased Alexander.

"Tonight at nine. I'll come home to see you."

Emily opened her mouth.

She had never considered Alexander's residence her home.

She wanted to suggest a different meeting place, but Alexander didn't give her the chance, hanging up abruptly.

In stark contrast to Emily's heavy heart, Alexander was in a relatively good mood due to her surrender.

However, his mood only lasted until Hayden brought him a report.

"She's been living with Daniel this whole time?" Alexander's large hand crumpled the edge of the paper, his anger nearly tangible enough to set the entire office ablaze.

Hayden nodded nervously.

He couldn't understand why Alexander had suddenly developed such an interest in Emily, even asking him to investigate her current residence and contacts.

Perhaps he feared she might harm Sophie?

Yes, that made sense. Sophie had been facing numerous troubles lately—perhaps Emily was sabotaging her out of jealousy!

Hayden quickly found a plausible explanation for Alexander's unusual behavior.

"You may go now!"

After composing himself, Alexander dismissed Hayden with a wave, his brown eyes darkening.

And so, their agreed meeting time was unilaterally delayed by half an hour.

Alexander's car was parked not far from the mansion.

He had chosen his position well, giving him a clear view of Emily.

She appeared underdressed for the weather, pacing back and forth, occasionally hugging her shoulders against the cold, looking utterly forlorn.

Alexander could barely restrain himself from approaching to drape a coat over her shoulders, but remembering her actions, he hardened his heart.

The weather turned against them as a lightning bolt split the sky, followed by deafening thunder.

Emily had always feared thunder and lightning, and she seemed to shrink into herself.

Alexander sighed and strode toward her.

As large raindrops began to fall, Emily became increasingly certain that Alexander had no genuine intention of meeting her.

He only wanted to humiliate her, to avenge Sophie.

Emily smiled bitterly.

Yet even knowing this, she had to continue waiting.

Without the protective aura of being Alexander's wife, she was just an ordinary person with no power to resist the Foster Group's heir.

Appeasing him, meeting him, talking to him—these were her only chances to breathe.

Suddenly, the rain stopped falling on her. A pair of black leather shoes appeared before her eyes.

Emily's gaze froze, then traveled upward along the impeccable crease of his pants.