Chapter 3 3: Trapped

NORA

"I am now entrusting the company to my daughter."

We were in the middle of a board meeting when Rod spoke those words.

Esmeralda and Rod had already explained everything to me beforehand-every loophole, every possible risk. They knew this decision wouldn't sit well with everyone. They also knew that some people would gladly take advantage of my recent hospitalization just to strip me of the position.

"Rod, Emily just got out of the hospital," an older woman said, her tone carefully controlled. "Shouldn't she be focusing on her recovery first?"

I looked at her.

From the way her lips tightened and her eyes flickered with disdain, it was obvious she didn't want me here. More than that, she didn't want me to become the CEO of Hills Group.

"I'm still here," Rod replied calmly. "You don't have to worry. I will guide her."

"Is that really enough?" the woman pressed. "She will be the one making the decisions, not you."

Her voice was gentle, almost polite, but I wasn't fooled.

"Besides, Rod," another man interjected. My gaze shifted to him. "We all know what happened between her and Mr. Bennett. His company is our number one client. Wouldn't it be better if we let Corrine-"

"I understand your concern, Joshua," Rod cut in sharply. "But Emily is my daughter, and she is the only rightful heir of Hills Pharma. Her marriage with Asher has nothing to do with this company."

His voice carried an unmistakable warning.

I couldn't help but think that whoever originally owned this body was incredibly lucky to have parents like these.

Too bad she was a complete fool when it came to love.

While they argued, I lightly tapped my fingers on the table, as if playing an invisible piano. It was something I did when I needed to think.

The noise around me grew irritating.

So I stopped.

The sudden silence drew everyone's attention to me.

"Do I not have the right," I asked calmly, my face expressionless, my eyes empty and lifeless, "to become the CEO of the company my own father founded?"

That was how I was.

"It's not like that, dear. It's just that-"

"What was your name again?" I interrupted, turning to the woman who had spoken earlier.

She forced an awkward smile.

"I'm Clara Williams. I own five percent of the company shares."

I snorted.

"A measly five percent," I said coolly, raising an eyebrow, "and you dare question my appointment?"

A sharp intake of breath echoed around the room.

I glanced at Rod. Even he looked stunned.

"Emily, what are you saying?" Clara clutched her chest as if I had personally wounded her.

"Anyway," I continued casually, "who the hell is Corrine?"

"She's m–my daughter," Clara replied hesitantly.

I studied her carefully.

"Emily, we know the divorce hurt you," one of the older men said cautiously. "But we're only saying that Clara might help because-"

"She's Asher's mistress. Is that it?" I finished bluntly.

"You've gone too far!" Clara exploded.

"Have I?" I asked with a smile. "Who was glued to Asher's side even when he was still married to me?"

The room went silent.

The board members exchanged glances. Clara froze.

Mr. and Mrs. Hills had already told me, they strongly suspected Corrine was the reason behind Emily and Asher's separation.

What disgusted me even more was what I learned next.

Three years ago, the Hills family had saved the Bennett Group from bankruptcy.

Emily loved Asher so deeply that her family lent him an enormous sum just to help his company recover.

The Hills family had dragged the Bennetts out of the gutter-

And this was how Asher repaid them?

"And now," I continued, my tone sharp, "you want to let a snake manage this company? What if one day we wake up and find Hills Pharma completely drained?"

The board members shifted uneasily.

They knew I had a point.

"That's enough, Emily!" Clara slammed her hand on the table and stood up, livid.

"Is anything I said wrong?" I asked, smiling faintly as I looked at each board member one by one.

None of them could meet my eyes.

Good.

Doubt had already been planted.

"Since you've understood Emily's point," Rod said firmly, "I believe there's nothing left to discuss. My daughter is intelligent, you all know that. Yes, the company was compromised when I decided to help the Bennett Group, but that will never happen again. I'm sure you've all seen how decisive she is."

One by one, the board members nodded.

All except Clara.

Her eyes burned with fury.

I didn't care.

"I would like to announce that there will be changes in the company soon," I said with a smile, one that made it clear I wasn't someone to trifle with. "While I was in the hospital, I thought carefully about how to further expand the company. I hope we can all walk toward success together."

The meeting ended without another word from Clara-or Joshua.

Rod and I were the last to leave the boardroom. We headed straight to his office, where Esmeralda was waiting with Matt, Rod's assistant.

"Are you okay, dear?" Esmeralda asked worriedly. "Did anyone say anything inappropriate to you?"

She had refused to join the meeting earlier, saying she disliked the board's fake smiles.

"You won't believe it, Esme," Rod said, beaming with pride. "Our daughter was fearless. I even couldn't believe it."

Esmeralda stared at me in disbelief, as if I had suddenly grown horns.

"Fearless?" she asked. "They didn't eat her alive?"

She sounded anxious as she reached for my hand.

Rod chuckled and looked at me seriously.

"I don't know what happened," he said, "but I like this version of Emily. She's always been kind, loving, forgiving-too forgiving. And those very qualities were the reason people, even her own husband, stepped all over her."

All eyes turned to me.

They were waiting for an explanation, perhaps.

"I just didn't want them to think I'm a pushover," I said quietly. "I realized something-I'm your daughter. You love me so much that you wouldn't even let a mosquito touch me. So why should I allow others to treat me like I'm worthless?"

Tears welled up in Esmeralda's eyes.

She pulled me into a tight embrace.

I didn't expect the strange warmth that enveloped me.

My own father loved me deeply-he would die for me without hesitation.

But what Esmeralda made me feel now was... different.

I raised my hand and hugged her back.

For now, Rod and Esmeralda were my family.

I still had no explanation prepared for Dante-my right hand, the man who knew me better than anyone.

I couldn't let him see me yet.

How was I supposed to tell him?

How could I explain that I was Nora Dumont, the most feared leader of an underground organization-

Trapped inside the body of Emily Hills...

A woman known only as a doormat?

Tsk!