Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

Chapter 130

This wasn't just about Emma alone anymore; this was about all those who had mocked Derek, spoke down to him, and treated him as someone less than a human. His co-workers who had whispered behind his back and laughed at his failures finally would know what he could do.

Derek adjusted his now much lighter bag and stepped back into the elevator. The countup lit up, and with every second, his heart was getting heavier and heavier.

"Let's see you survive this, Emma," he said in a low, venomous tone.

The elevator doors opened, and Derek stepped into the 69 floor where Emma's office was; was the highest floor in the building. It would have been his office if he hadn't failed, and he just wanted to look at it one last time before he dies.

Insanely enough, Derek met Emma on the 69th floor. Instantly, his heart went up to his throat, and for one brief second, he felt the threads of panic start to unravel him. Then he remembered the face mask. It covered his identity, and all he had to do was act normally. As he passed by her, his pace steady and unhurried, he could feel her searing her eyes into the back of his neck.

Emma turned, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face. There was something oddly familiar about the way he carried himself, something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Hello." Emma called, her tone tinged with hesitation.

Derek didn't halt. His jaw clenched inside the mask, he quickened his pace.

"Wait!" Emma's voice was firmer now, her instincts telling her that something was not quite right.

He didn't turn around. He reached the elevator, pressed the button, and stepped inside just as Emma broke into a run, trying to catch him.

"The man with the backpack, wait!" she called again, but the doors slid shut, cutting her off.

Emma stood there for a moment, her breath uneven, her brow furrowed in deep thought. Something wasn't right. That man... his walk, his build, his presence, it all felt disturbingly familiar.

She spun on her heels and hurried back to her office, her mind racing. Without wasting a second, she instructed her secretary and personal assistant to notify security immediately.

said, her voice firm and urgent.

to assure her that everything was in order, but Emma's instincts were screaming otherwise. She couldn't get rid of the unease, couldn't quiet this nagging little voice inside her head that told

forced herself to refocus: the seminar was about to start

presence.

lift down to the floor where the seminar will take place and made sure her face was calm

of the stranger lingered

her memory flashed. The back she had seen, the way he walked. It belonged to someone she knew so well. Someone dangerous. Someone the authorities had been hunting for

Chapter 130

Emma's heart skipped beat

partner in love

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a look but

B

to Jim. Her eyes narrowed, and

asked with

panic, but he quickly masked it with a feigned look of confusion. "I don't know what you're talking about," he

to me?" she hissed. "Do you have any idea what I'm capable of, Jim? If you don't tell me what I want to know, you'll wish

appear calm, but Annie could see right through it. His

pulled out a sleek black knife; its blade gleamed under the dim light. She twirled it between her fingers, her eyes staring coldly into

spin for a second. She clinched her fists, trying

to herself, her mind running through every possibility. Whatever the reason, it couldn't be

to her feet, her trembling fingers fumbling for her phone as she dialed

"We just did. He's on the same floor as you