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."

in the room turned, necks craned for a better glimpse. In the midst of rising chaos, somewhere, Emma felt the sudden jerk as Annie deliberately knocked into her, hurrying back to the

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

a deep breath and squared her shoulders, her head held high as she stepped back into the ballroom. Her plan was simple: return to her table, bide her time, and let the revelation

her, glass of champagne swinging carelessly so that

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,"

gown 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

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 dress, her hands shaking with humiliation and anger about to overtake her. She refused to let the brimming tears in her eyes fall. Not here, not

satisfied snurks and cold indifference, a gure was ready to rise from his

21:17 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 75

Alexander.

A

first. But as those moments passed, and not a single person came out to defend Emma, that was the point at which something in him snapped. His heart ached to watch her stand there

and clutched his wrist.

set with purpose, Camera flashes be damned, he was about to rise to jis feet and make a beeline for Emma