Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 74

Emma looked at him, her lips twitching into a half-hearted attempt at a smile. She appreciated Jaden's efforts, but the weight of the evening was too much to bear. "I'm trying," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Her eyes drifted to the middle of the hall, where speeches and accolades were ongoing with so much pomp and fanfare. There was anticipation in the room, as hushed tones and murmurs of voice filled the air. Each person seemed consumed by one mystery: the identity of W2 Holdings CEO, which nobody knew,

Emma's stomach churned. The people were still waiting, their eyes scanning the room for some kind of unfamiliar face to step into the spotlight and take the stage. They had no idea that the very person they were waiting for was sitting right there. among them, her identity hidden behind a mask of forced smiles and a growing sense of dread.

Emma's smile wavered as she changed her position, pretending the case. The couple at the table would look over sometimes and smile at her, but it was polite and restraining.

The truth was, she was beyond fighting the comments online anymore. This hatred had shown up in her real life-choking and real. Much earlier, outside the venue, the boos and jeers of the crowd had almost made her scurry back to the car. Now she was here, acting as though everything would be alright, when her heart inside was breaking into a million pieces.

She looked around the room, at the glittering chandeliers and elegantly dressed attendees, and wondered what she was even doing there. Four years she had built W2 Holdings beyond expectation, putting every ounce into the company. And now, it terrified her to even think about standing up there and revealing her identity. Would they admire her success, or would they tear her down further?

The rest of the evening blur, Emma sat stiff at her table, her smile a carefully contrived mask. She glanced to her right. feigning interest in the chirping conversations going on around her and trying desperately to convey an impression of calm and composure. Then she felt it, a burning gaze that seemed to be searing her cheeks, sending the hair on the nape of her neck rising.

heard her breath catch as she turned toward the source of that unrelenting stare. Lo and behold, it was Alexander. His. eyes were fastened on her, cold, uncaringly intense, with a grip that froze her in place. The noise of the crowd around her faded, and all she

rose and fell with sharp, erratic breaths as an unbidden rush of emotion coursed through her-part anger, part fear, and part somethings she didn't want to feel. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she struggled to compose quickly looking away. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, willing herself to block him out of her mind. Not tonight, she begged herself. Of all nights, don't let him get to you tonight. But no matter how hard she tried to push him out, his presence lingered on, haunting her

breath, she rose from her seat and made her

air of the restroom offered a momentary reprieve, but it wasn't long before the sound of high heels clicking against the tiled floor broke the silence. Emma barely paid it any mind-until she glanced

smug smile already plastered on her face. She stopped beside Emma, cocking her head to one side, as if she was studying

from anger suppressel Annie smirked and applied another

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turned to her and tilted her head in a way that frigned po "Considering what happened toninge 1 deals think your be doing much showing of your face in public win Emma

had nothing to do with tonight's

she spoke. But what about the other attacks My wn's daycare being rammed into just minutes after you saw me at the hospitale That wasn't a coincidence" She could feel the prick of tears in her eyes, but she battled them back. She wouldn't let Annie e berrry. "I've always known you were selfish. Annie, bet 1 never thought you, were capable of