Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 75

Annie's confident demeanor faltered. She visibly shook, her eyes widening with fear. "You wouldn't dare," she growled, her voice betraying her desperation

Emma leaned in, her gaze locked on Annie's. "Try me, and you'll find out

But before Annie could answer, the sound of footsteps coming away the restroom echoed outside the door. Both women froze; the confrontation suddenly felt dangerously exposed. Era quickly moved to the door, peering out into the hallway. No one was in sight. She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief but knew she couldn't take any more risks tonight.

Without turning to look at Annie, Emma stepped out of the bathroom, her mind already flitting ahead to what she would face. The time was getting closer for her bombshell, and she needed all her concentration. She tugged out her phone, hands shaking slightly as she thumbed a message.

Tm here.

This isn't just about surviving; tonight will be about reclaiming the power, identity, and placing she had been so desperately. chased out of

Before Emma took more than a few steps down the hallway, her ears were met with one of the soft yet commanding voices from the hosts back on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've just received an exciting message from the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS," they announced, their tone professional and brimming with anticipation. "She has informed us that she is present among us this evening."

seemed the collective weight of every head in the room turned, necks craned for a better glimpse. In the midst of rising chaos,

enough to sneer. "You should sneak out now," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't humiliate yourself further or stain Alexander's reputation when he finally approaches the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS. It's over, for you, Emma." Emma stood her ground, watching Annie's figure retreat with a shile that curved her lips. You have no idea, Emma thought. It was the knowledge of how Annie would react when

back into the ballroom. Her plan was

came charging up to her, glass of champagne swinging carelessly so that

was a nouveau riche socialite whose parents had just recently joined the billionaire elite and didn't even give a semblance of an apology. She just glared at Emma with a smirk, her voice loud enough to attract people passing by. "Maybe" next time, don't be in my way," she snarled, haughty and

clinging to her ski the wine spreading like a badge of shame. The sting of the woman's words was nothing compared to the cut of the onlookers' reactions: smirks, whispers, and pointed looks that surrounded her, each one a confirmation of how unwelcome she

passed Emma, she leaned in, a low hiss: "The next time you cross my path, it won't just be wine. With that, she strode away on high-heeled shoes clicking against the marble floor. Emma's eyes fell to the ruined fabric of her

then, from a sea of satisfied snurks and cold indifference, a gure was ready

21:17 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 75

Alexander.

A

passed, and not a single person came out to defend Emma, that was the

his wrist. "You

shrugged her hand off as his jaw set with purpose, Camera flashes be damned, he was about to rise to jis feet and make a beeline for Emma when some other guy materialized