Chapter 2
Emily instinctively looked up, meeting Michael's ink- eyes.
The crystal chandelier overhead reflected in his eyes, creating an illusion of a meticulously crafted abyss with an almost magnetic pull that invited one to step closer.
Emily snapped back to reality almost instantly and lowered the hand that had been clutching her stomach. "I drank too much alcohol. My stomach hurts a bit."
Michael leaned back against the sofa, his narrow eyes slightly narrowed as he studied Emily.
Her face was exceptionally beautiful—a classic oval shape with dewy almond eyes that, due to the alcohol she'd just been forced to drink, carried a faint redness at the corners.
She looked utterly vulnerable.
Emily's demeanor was pure and innocent, creating a stark contrast against the chaotic background of the club. There was a profound sense of disconnection.
She didn't belong here.
Michael withdrew his scrutinizing gaze and picked up his phone, typing out a message. "If you're not feeling well, go rest."
Emily looked at Michael with surprise. "My shift isn't over yet."
"With me here, who would dare say anything?" Michael's gaze was cold, his simple words carrying an overwhelming sense of authority.
Emily quietly clenched her fist.
What Michael said was true.
As the absolute ruler of Wilson Group, he held complete control over this business empire.
The club where she worked generated six-figure revenues nightly, yet Michael could make the manager clear the entire establishment for him with just a word. Everyone feared offending this man.
Emily bit her lip. "Alright."
Getting paid to rest wasn't an everyday occurrence.
She sat down in a nearby chair.
Just then, Michael suddenly rose and left the room. When he returned, he placed several boxes of stomach medication in front of Emily.
Emily stared in disbelief, her mind seemingly unable to process what was happening.
Michael had actually sent someone to buy her stomach medicine.
She couldn't remember the last time she'd experienced such warmth since her family's downfall.
Yet they weren't even friends—even before her family's bankruptcy, they'd only seen each other once at a formal event.
"Take it," Michael said, seeing Emily's incredulous expression. He simply pushed the medicine into her arms.
His phone suddenly rang. After checking the caller ID, he answered and walked outside.
Emily remained stunned for a moment before finally coming to her senses. She took the medicine and went outside, wanting to express her gratitude.
But on the street, she saw an expensive Rolls-Royce parked there.
A woman in a white dress had her back to Emily and was saying something to Michael.
The conversation between them didn't seem pleasant.
From this distance, Emily couldn't hear what they were saying, only seeing Michael standing under the streetlight with a cigarette burning bright red between his fingers.
Michael turned and got into his own car.
The woman stomped her foot in frustration before getting into her car and leaving as well.
Emily clutched the stomach medicine tightly.
She knew who that woman was.
Caitlin Rand, she was Michael fiancée.
Rumor had it that theirs was a family-arranged marriage, with an engagement ceremony held just recently.
Emily lowered her gaze, her long, steep eyelashes hiding the emotions in her eyes.
She dragged her exhausted body back to the temporary apartment she was renting, poured a glass of cold water, and had just swallowed the medicine when her phone rang again.
It was her aunt calling.
"Emily, are you off work now? I have something to tell you."
Emily responded flatly: "What is it?"
"Quit that club job. I've found you a match, and I've already accepted their money." Her aunt's tone was commanding.
"You'll meet him tomorrow, then move into his place and get your marriage certificate right away. He's a bit older, but he knows how to take care of you. I'll feel better knowing you're with him."
Emily's eyes instantly went cold. "You're trying to sell me to an old man for money?"
"Don't make it sound so awful! I'm thinking of you! Your family went bankrupt, your father jumped to his death, and your mother is still in the hospital. Do you think you can cover those medical bills just by selling drinks?"
Her aunt let out a cold laugh. "I've arranged the best path for you! We're family—I wouldn't harm you."
"Return the money. I absolutely refuse. I'm exhausted from work, so I'm hanging up now." Emily didn't wait for her aunt to respond before ending the call.
She rubbed her still-aching stomach and looked around at the dilapidated apartment.
After her family's downfall, her life had plummeted from heaven to hell in an instant.
The company was seized, and the remaining assets were divided among relatives.
Even with her uncle's guardianship, his weak personality meant her aunt constantly bullied her.
In summer, she could only eat spoiled leftovers and was forced to sleep on the living room floor.
The first thing she did when she earned money was move out of that house, with the rest of her wages going directly into the hospital account.
She sat on the floor leaning against the wall, her eyes filled with exhaustion. The life ahead seemed pitch black, as if countless invisible hands were pulling her down, trying to drag her into the abyss. She could already imagine what her future would become.
Emily's gaze shifted, landing on the stomach medicine on the table.
She slowly closed her eyes.
The next day, Emily went to work as usual. As soon as she got out of her car, an overweight, greasy man suddenly blocked her path.
He looked to be nearly fifty, with a balding head and yellowed teeth that showed when he spoke. "So you're Emily! Your aunt wasn't lying—you really are beautiful."
Emily stepped back, glaring at him coldly. "Who are you?"
The man brazenly declared: "I'm your husband! Your aunt already told you—you're my wife now, just missing the marriage certificate. Let's go get it done right now."
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Emily.
Emily struggled forcefully, trying to break free. "Let go of me! This is kidnapping—it's illegal!"
The older man sneered. "You aunt has accepted my money. You belong to me!"
Emily's eyes flashed with determination. She kicked him hard between the legs and bit down on his wrist. "Argh!"
The man let out a scream of pain. Emily tried to run, but he grabbed her by the hair. "You little bitch! Looks like I've been too nice to you!"