Chapter 2

I walked quickly to the terrace, but kept a safe distance so as not to appear too abrupt. Through the half-open door, I heard them talking in hushed tones.

"Emily, it's been five years, and I've been thinking about you all this time." Ryan's voice carried a tenderness I had never heard before.

"Ryan, please don't do this. I'm with Marcus now, and we're happy." Emily's voice trembled, but the tremor sounded more like excitement than resistance.

"Happiness? Emily, look at yourself. What have you given up for a middle-class man? You've given up the life you deserved, your social circle, your future."

"Marcus is a good man, he loves me, he..."

"He loves you?" Ryan chuckled. "He loves the social status you can bring him. Your father's network, your family's prestige. Emily, do you really think he's after you for who you are?"

Hearing this, anger almost overwhelmed my reason. Ryan was deliberately trying to sow discord between us, attempting to divide us with seeds of suspicion. But what worried me even more was that Emily seemed to be seriously considering his words.

"We were once a perfect couple, Emily. A union of two ancient families, our children would inherit the legacy of two empires. And now, you're with someone who has nothing."

"Ryan, that's all in the past."

"The past?" Ryan's voice drew closer. "Then why did your eyes sparkle when you saw me? Why did your heart race? Emily, the body doesn't lie."

Silence. A long silence.

Then I heard soft footsteps, as if they were approaching each other.

"We still have a chance, Emily. Marcus Sterling was just a passing phase in your life, a mistake. But I, I am your destiny."

"Ryan..." Her voice grew even weaker.

I couldn't take it anymore, so I pushed open the door and went out.

"Sorry to bother you." My voice was calmer than I expected.

They quickly separated, Emily's face burning red. Ryan, on the other hand, maintained that damnably composed smile.

"Marcus, we were just reminiscing," Ryan said, his tone as casual as if nothing had happened.

"Yes, just chatting," Emily agreed, but she avoided looking me in the eye.

"Of course." I forced a smile. "Ryan, I heard your foundation wants to get involved in the Nexus project?"

"Yes, this is a very promising investment opportunity. I think we'll have many opportunities to collaborate, Marcus." A glint of something I couldn't decipher flashed in Ryan's eyes.

"That's wonderful." I put my arm around Emily's waist, feeling her stiffen. "We should go back now; many people want to see you."

Emily nodded, but her reaction seemed absent-minded.

Back in the banquet hall, I observed Emily and Ryan all evening. They didn't have any further direct contact, but I could feel the electric tension between them. Whenever their eyes met in the crowd, there was an unspoken understanding between them.

"Marcus, you look troubled," Blackstone said, sitting down beside me. "Tonight should be a night of celebration."

"I'm sorry, sir. I was just thinking about the future development of the project."

What are your thoughts on the Carter Investment Fund joining the company?

I considered my answer carefully. "From a business perspective, this is indeed a good opportunity. The Carter Foundation has an extensive network of connections in Europe."

"But?" Blackstone keenly sensed my reservation.

"But I feel we need to maintain control. This project is our achievement, and we shouldn't let outside investors dominate it."

Blackstone nodded. "You're right. We can accept their investment, but the terms must be set by us."

Just then, I saw Ryan walk over to Emily and whisper something in her ear. Emily's expression tensed up, then she glanced in my direction and nodded.

After Ryan left, Emily approached me. "Marcus, I'm a little tired. Would you mind if we went back early?"

"Of course not." I stood up. "Let me go say goodbye to Black's Passage."

On the way home, Emily was unusually quiet. She leaned back in the leather seat of her BMW, watching the New York nightscape pass by outside the window, as if pondering some important question.

"How was tonight?" I tried to break the silence.

"Very good. You did a great job, Marcus." Her reply sounded very formal and lacked genuine emotion.

"Emily, what did Ryan say to you tonight?"

She turned to look at me, a complex emotion in her eyes. "Nothing special. Just asking how I was doing, how work was going."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Her tone became somewhat defensive. "Marcus, are you questioning me?"

"No, of course not. I just..." I paused, "I just feel that he still has feelings for you."

Emily gave a wry smile. "That's all in the past, Marcus. I chose you, didn't I?"

Her words sounded like she was convincing herself, not me.

That night, we were in the same bed, yet I felt an invisible wall between us. I could hear Emily's soft breathing and knew she wasn't asleep, just like me.

I should have been more vigilant. I should have sensed the danger signals. But love makes people blind, and ambition makes people greedy. I was so eager for that board seat, so eager to establish myself in New York's elite circles, that I ignored the warnings deep within my heart.

The next morning, Emily woke up earlier than usual. When I woke up, she was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

"Good morning, darling." She poured me coffee. "What are your plans for today?"

"I'm having a video conference with the Nexus tech team, and then I might meet with a few potential investors." I took my coffee. "And you?"

"I've arranged to go shopping with some friends, and then I'm going to the art museum this afternoon to see a new exhibition."

Her schedule sounded normal, but I noticed she avoided my gaze while she was speaking.

"Okay, see you tonight." I kissed her forehead. "Love you."

"I love you too, Marcus," she replied, but the words sounded devoid of their usual warmth.