Chapter 82

She leaned back in the tub, her lips curling into a tight, determined smile. Let them mock her fainting. Let them revel in Emma's so-called victory. In just a few minutes, the headlines would change. The announcement would be everywhere: Annie Pregnant with Alexander's Child.

It was a risk, but it was the ace up her sleeve. She was already picturing how things would now go with public opinion. The story would now be worked to her advantage: she, the vulnerable mother-to-be, carrying the child of one of the most powerful men in the city. Sympathy would drown out the criticism. Emmd might have the money and power, but Annie had one thing nobody Emma do not have-a connection to Alexander.

As the article dropped into cyberspace, her timer on her phone was buzzing, while her heart was pounding in anticipation. She was far from being defeated.

Annie stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a robe as her phone began ringing and ringing constantly. It was online, and comments started reeling in. Suddenly, it was this rush of satisfaction that flowed in with the first ripples of the public response, and then the tide had begun to change

For now, the game was back to neutral .But deep down, Annie knew she had to tread carefully. Emma was no longer the quiet, unassuming threat she once thought. She was a storm, and Annie needed to be ready to weather it.

Jaden woke up with a pulsating headache and a tummy that was churning with regret. The night's excessive drinking still had its residuals clinging to him. Every move was an effort. He groaned as his legs swung over the side of the bed, pressing into his temples to try and quiet the pounding pain that was at least throbbing.

He dragged himself to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face before reaching for his toothbrush. The instant the foam with its minty taste filled his mouth, his mind replayed in detail the events of the night before. Emma, in calm, poised, utterly magnetic demeanor, had stepped into the limelight of the CEO of W2 Holdings and shattered every illusion he may have maintained about her.

Anger coursed through him, a searing mix of betrayal and frustration. She had played him for a fool. For months, he had thought she was just another ambitious woman trying to keep up in a world too big for her. But Emma wasn't merely surviving-she had been ruling the game all along, quietly and powerfully.

Jaden spat into the sink, his hands clenching tightly onto its edges as his reflection mocked him. How had he missed it? How had he let himself be so blind? He stormed out of the bathrooni, quickly dressing in his usual suit and tie, though nothing about the day ahead felt usual. He grabbed his keys and stormed out of his apartment, the heavy weight of last night's revelations pressing on his chest.

the steering wheel, with each turn his knuckles turned whiter. He hadn't heard from Emma this morning-not even a text or a call. More than anything, that set

the towering building, he could notice the change right away. The staff once indifferent or

threw himself into work, trying to block everything out, but constant pings of emails and calls would not let him concentrate. His inbox blew up with messages congratulating him, asking about the connection with Emma, or offering him deals for partnering. He wanted to scream. Instead, he silenced his phone and buried his face in his

his door pulled him from his

growled, a lot

smile perfectly see "Sir, the chairman wants to

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21:18 Tue Dec 17

Chapter 82

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dismissively. Tll be there once

minutes later Jaden reluctantly

before stepping inside, his face was a mask, but his heart

not known to be light-hearted greeted him with a laugh-one that sounded alien to

man said, gesturing to

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