No one was ever really ready for death. The nearer the moment loomed, the more chilling it felt.
When he noticed the fear on my face, Ashton took my hand and placed it over his heart.
“I will always be with you, for better or worse. And I promise to get you treated no matter what. Do you trust me, Scarlett?”
Even though he was almost whispering, Ashton’s voice reverberated loudly through my heart.
Ashton was someone who made me feel like I could take on the whole world. With him around, I never needed to fear.
I gripped his hand tight, all my worries vanishing in that instant as I whispered, “I trust you.” Even if it was my last day on earth, I wanted to spend it with no regrets.
Ashton stayed with me at the Stovall residence until the wee hours of the morning. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of helplessness and insecurity as I watched him leave. Without him around, the world seemed a little harsher and colder.
I was starting to space out when I got pulled back into reality by my phone’s ringing.
It was odd that anyone would call at two in the morning. But since I couldn’t fall asleep, I picked up my phone to check who the caller was.
Alas, it was Zander. Not quite the call I had expected, I decided to let him wait for a while more before answering.
“What’s the matter, Mr. Hoffman?” I asked harshly.
Ever since I found out that Zander was in cahoots with the people who poisoned me, I had lost all respect for him. As such, I saw no need to be polite toward him.
“What happened today was my fault. You were right. I’ve indeed gone too far. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
An apology? Is that necessary? Did he want to make peace because he’s worried about me leaving Tinsel Group and ruining their plan?
“Oh, that? I don’t remember it anymore. But Mr. Hoffman, are you sure it’s appropriate to call your female coworker this late at night? Aren’t you afraid of gossip?” I was on the brink of death and didn’t care if I offended anyone. Besides, after everything Zander had done, he deserved to feel my wrath.
As if pondering his choice of words, Zander replied after some hesitation, “I’ve been most inconsiderate. I’m sorry for disturbing you.”
“Get out of my life if you’re really sorry. Oh, by the way, you’re fired. Goodbye.”
With that, I hung up the phone before he could even react or protest against it.
In my current condition, neither John nor Ashton would want me to return to Tinsel Group to fish for information. The work intensity there would be too much for my body to bear.
The next day, Emery called to ask if I could accompany her to a ribbon-cutting ceremony. She didn’t know about my poisoning incident and just wanted to hang out with me. Naturally, I agreed.
The Moores were born entrepreneurs, and Emery was no exception. She was a talented trader who always knew what stocks to buy. Rather than continue being in the employment of her previous company, she decided to start her own, which turned out to be the best investment decision she ever made.
Indeed, all entrepreneurs were scheming. Emery wouldn’t have gotten to where she was today if she wasn’t crafty enough.
When I arrived at her office, Emery was in a meeting with her staff. The flair of a young, successful leader came naturally to her as she mentored and instructed her team.
Upon seeing me, Emery dismissed them and made her way toward me. “Where’s Emma? Didn’t I invite her too?”
“Oh, she got called back for an urgent meeting by her editor. She said she’s very sorry about missing the opening ceremony.”
The truth was Emma wanted to avoid Emery at all costs. She was worried that her tongue might slip and spill the beans about Hunter.
“Which magazine publisher is she in again? The audacity of them to snatch her away from me,” she muttered. However, she soon got over it as she dragged me around the office to make introductions.
It was almost ten when everyone gathered downstairs for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Even though he was slightly late, Hunter still confidently strode through the crowd toward Emery. After planting a kiss on Emery’s forehead, he looped his arm around her and smiled at the reporters who were eagerly waiting for them.
