Chapter 5 Do I Need A Reason to Hit You?
Apex Global Enterprises.
"Did you catch this morning's trending news?"
Rowan Blair, the secretary, was chatting with her colleagues about the latest celebrity gossip while holding her phone.
"Rowan, which movie star got caught cheating this time, or which rich guy got exposed for having an affair?"
Her colleague's interest was piqued by Rowan's deliberately raised voice, and they quickly leaned in to ask.
"Those are old news, nothing interesting. Let me tell you..."
Rowan opened the news homepage, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously, "Check out this headline. The Thomas family is holding a city-wide search for a bride for Mr. Thomas!"
"Are you serious?" Her colleague's eyes widened. "You mean James, the guy who had that accident last month and is now paralyzed?"
"Even if he's paralyzed, he's still a Thomas, the head of the Thomas Group, worth billions. What woman wouldn't want that?"
Rowan scoffed, "I bet as soon as this news gets out, every woman in the city, single or married, will be flocking to the Thomas family."
"But seriously, Mr. Thomas is handsome and rich. Even if he's paralyzed now, there are plenty of women who'd want to marry him. Why go through all this trouble for a city-wide search?"
"You don't get it. The news says that after Mr. Thomas's accident, he became a completely different person, pushing everyone away. Qiana had no choice but to pray at the church, where she was told that finding a good woman to marry Mr. Thomas would miraculously cure him."
"Isn't that a scam?"
"Who knows? I don't really believe it, but Qiana seems to be convinced..."
Rowan was in the middle of her excited storytelling when a slender hand reached over and took her phone.
"Who is there?"
Rowan turned around in annoyance, only to meet a pair of sharp, beautiful eyes that rendered her speechless.
Emily silently read the news on Rowan's phone before handing it back.
Watching Emily walk into the CEO's office, Rowan patted her chest, trying to calm her racing heart.
"That scared me to death. Who is that woman? Her stare made me too scared to speak."
"No idea, but seeing her go into Mr. Jackson's office, could she be his girlfriend?"
"No way."
Inside Nicholas's office.
Emily sat in the leather chair behind the desk, her expression serious as she reviewed the project report in her hand. Nicholas stood respectfully beside her, habitually brewing her a cup of coffee.
After a while, Emily put down the report and took a sip of the steaming coffee.
"How's the Johnson family situation?" Emily asked calmly.
"Just as you predicted, Finn was released, but the executive who embezzled funds wasn't so lucky. The Johnson family's cash flow is in trouble, and they'll announce the sale of their subsidiary in a few days."
"Good. There are definitely companies eyeing the Johnson family's assets. Seize the opportunity to acquire their subsidiary for Apex Global Enterprises at the lowest price possible. As for the original employees, handle them as you see fit."
"I understand."
Emily nodded, saying no more. She trusted Nicholas's abilities. After working together for so many years, they had developed a strong rapport, often understanding each other with just a glance or a few words.
"Ms. Johnson, there's another matter regarding the Gibson family." Nicholas handed Emily a sealed blue folder.
Emily took the folder, her clear eyes turning icy.
Her mother, Sable, was from the Gibson family.
Sable had been the most beautiful woman in Emerald City. She fell in love with Finn and married him.
From then on, Sable's life went downhill, ending in tragedy.
Five years ago, a month after Emily disappeared, Sable died in the hospital. Afterward, Emily's aunt, Della Gibson, openly became Finn's wife, bringing her daughter, Ava, with her.
That same year, Finn revealed his ambitions, slowly devouring the Gibson Group after marrying Della.
Emily's fingers trembled slightly as she held the blue folder. She closed her eyes, suppressing the hatred and anger surging in her heart.
Just wait. One day, she would make the Johnson family pay back everything they had taken.
"Ms. Johnson, there's no need to worry too much about the Gibson Group. Finn is overwhelmed right now. Once the Johnson Group's cash flow completely collapses, we can take back the Gibson Group." Nicholas's voice was calm, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.
"Good. I trust your abilities."
Emily closed the blue folder and handed it back to Nicholas. "I won't be coming to the office much for a while. I'll leave things here to you. I have something important to take care of."
Nicholas nodded, understanding.
"It's about Mason, isn't it?"
"Yes." Thinking of poor Mason, Emily's icy eyes softened.
She smiled gently. "I need to hurry. I can't keep Mason waiting too long."
The Thomas Villa's small garden.
"Mommy's coming, Mommy's not coming."
Mason squatted in front of a small flower bed, holding a daisy. He muttered "Mommy's coming, Mommy's not coming" to himself as he plucked the yellow petals one by one.
"Look, the little cripple is at it again!"
A harsh voice rang out, and before Mason could react, he was punched to the ground.
"Last time you took my bread, now you are in my hand!"
Erik sat on Mason, swinging his chubby fists at him.
"Go, Erik! Beat up the little cripple!"
Erik's twin brother, Wilder, cheered from the side.
"Stop it right now!"
Emily entered through the gate with the butler, spotting Mason being bullied from a distance.
Ignoring the butler's attempts to stop her, she rushed over, slapping Erik hard across the face.
"Who do you think you are, hitting me?" Erik yelled at Emily, clutching his reddening cheek.
"Do I need a reason to hit you?" Emily's eyes flashed with anger as she saw the dirt and blood on Mason.
"If you ever bully Mason again, I'll make you regret it!"