Chapter 2

A ripple of excited murmurs went through the nearby guests who'd overheard.

"A marriage announcement?" one of the older socialites, Mrs. Vanderbilt, trilled. "Does this mean William and Arthur are finally stepping back? The succession at Hawke Energy will finally be settled!"

The two patriarchs, William Winston and Arthur Hawke, were lifelong friends and titans of their respective industries. It was an open secret that my marriage would determine who inherited Arthur Hawke's crucial 20% stake in Hawke Energy.

In my past life, Ethan already held 15%. Marrying me gave him a controlling 35%, making him the undisputed head of Hawke Energy.

"Hawke Energy is about to get a new king," someone whispered.

Ethan's friends were ecstatic.

"Ethan, man, you're gonna be CEO!" Chad exclaimed, slapping him on the back.

A smug, triumphant look spread across Ethan's face. He turned back to me, his eyes glittering with possessiveness.

"See, Emily? Destiny. Don't think for a second that just because I'm marrying you, you've somehow won. I despise that smug, self-satisfied look on your face."

He leaned in, his voice a low growl.

"I'll learn from last time. I'll marry you, fine. But there will be no talk of me moving into your family's sphere. And before we even think about a wedding, you'll arrange a significant position for Sophia at WMG. A real one, with power."

I stared at him, stunned. He really thought... He actually believed I was still pining for him, that my mention of an announcement was about *us*. And his demand about Sophia...

He had been reborn. And he was just as arrogant and manipulative as before.

Before I could tell him his delusions were his own, a soft, trembling voice called out.

"Sister?"

Sophia Bell. Her face was artfully smudged with dirt, a bruise blooming on her cheekbone, her dress slightly torn at the shoulder. She looked like a fragile doll, windswept and wronged, instantly drawing the attention and sympathy of everyone nearby.

Ethan's face transformed. All traces of arrogance vanished, replaced by a look of profound concern. He rushed to her side.

"Sophia! What happened? Who did this to you?"

Sophia didn't answer, just leaned into him, a picture of vulnerability. Ethan immediately rounded on me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Emily! Is this your doing? Are these the kind of pathetic, underhanded games you play now?"

I was about to deny it, to point out the absurdity, but Sophia cut me off, her voice watery.

"It's... it's nothing, really. I just... I tripped on my way here. Clumsy me." She offered a weak smile. "Today is Emily's birthday. Even though... even though she's never liked me, I wanted to come and wish her well."

Ethan glared at me, his contempt palpable.

"Emily, if you had half her grace, her forgiving nature..."

Sophia gently touched his arm. "Ethan, please don't be angry. I'm sure, one day, Emily will be able to let go of her resentment towards me."

Her performance was flawless. Ethan's expression softened into pure adoration for Sophia. He wrapped an arm around her protectively.

"Come on, let's get you to a doctor. We can't have that cheek scarring."

As he led her away, he shot me a final, menacing look over his shoulder.

"Emily, watch yourself. If you lay a hand on Sophia again, I can't guarantee our engagement party will happen as scheduled."

He swept out with Sophia on his arm, leaving a trail of shocked whispers and accusatory stares directed at me.

Later that evening, the formal part of the birthday celebration began. Speeches were made, toasts were offered. Ethan and Sophia were conspicuously absent.

It wasn't until the party was winding down, when only close friends and a few persistent business associates remained, that they finally reappeared.

Sophia had changed into a slinky, crimson dress. Her hair was tousled, her lips swollen, and her cheeks flushed. Ethan looked utterly self-satisfied, his tie loosened, the top buttons of his shirt undone, revealing faint red marks on his collarbone.

It was obvious to everyone what they'd been doing.

A wave of speculative, amused glances washed over me. My few loyal friends looked at me with pity and unspoken questions. Olivia Chen, my best friend from college, clenched her jaw.

If this had been the old Emily, I would have flown into a rage, probably slapped Sophia until her head spun.

Now? I calmly picked up a glass of iced tea and took a sip.

Ethan, ever the drama king, pulled Sophia protectively behind him, clearly expecting an explosion from me. When I simply ignored them, a frown creased his brow. He looked... displeased by my lack of reaction.

Sophia, never one to miss an opportunity for a public display, reached for Ethan, pulling his face down for a long, theatrical kiss. He didn't resist, instead pulling her onto his lap.

They were determined to be vulgar. It had nothing to do with me.

But Olivia couldn't take it anymore. She marched over and pulled them apart.

"Sophia! Ethan is practically Emily's fiancé! Have you no shame?"

Before Sophia could muster her fake tears, Ethan erupted.

"Olivia Chen, is it? I seem to recall your family's tech firm has several lucrative contracts with Hawke Energy. Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?" He sneered. "Emily hasn't said a word. What right do you have to preach?"

"Ethan, watch your mouth," I said, my voice dangerously quiet. Olivia was a true friend, loyal and fierce. I wouldn't let him bully her.

"And as for Hawke Energy, your grandfather Arthur is still chairman. Are you so certain I'm choosing *you*? So certain you'll get that 20% stake?"