Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 135

Chapter 135

Jaden sat dumbfounded, his knuckles white as he clutched the cage of his desk, as his secretary's phone played the news feed live. The chaotic scene felt like a nightmare he couldn't wake from. He dialed Emma's number again and again with a trembling hand, just praying she'd answer. Every ring in his ear felt like a dagger stabbed into his heart.

"Pick up, Emma... please," he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his fear. He hoped this was just a joke.

But there was no response. The phone continued to ring until it went to voicemail. He stared blankly at the screen for a moment, his chest tightening. Then he saw it happen: the 69th floor, her floor, was suddenly engulfed in flames and smoke. Jaden's vision blur with hot tears streaming down his cheeks. His breathing hitched, and a strangled sob escaped his lips. He rose angrily, the chair scraping noisily across the floor. His heart ached with uncontrollable pain.

The thought of waiting was killing him; he needed to be nearer to Emma, even if it meant being confronted with a terrifying truth. He snatched his jacket and, without saying a word, stormed out of his office, barking orders at his assistant for the next available flight. The hallway outside his office was sad, heavy with the echoes of every step he took. He hardly even saw Jake leaning casually against the wall until Jake stepped into his path.

"Well, well," Jake drawled, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Where to, brother? Off to save the damsel in distress?" His tone was mocking.

Jaden froze, his jaw clenching. His anger was boiling. His fists clenched 1 at his sides as he turned to Jake, his eyes ablaze.

"Get out of my face," Jaden growled through gritted teeth.

Jake's grin broadened; his amusement only grew higher with Jaden's reaction. "Touchy, aren't we? Don't tell me..."

Before Jake could get the words out, Jaden walked past him with such force that Jake almost stumbled. He really didn't have time for Jake's stupidity. Not now.

He didn't care about Jake's sneers or the pitiful stares of the staff he passed. All he could think about was Emma.

The thought of losing her forever was unbearable.

AAAAA

Brandon sat in Emily's hospital room. The live news played on, the footage capturing the horrifying moment the 69th floor of W2 Holdings exploded. His heart dropped as he watched the fire and soot consumed the upper levels of the building. "No. Emma." he whisper shout, his voice breaking as fear clutched at his throat.

Just yesterday, he had finally gathered the courage to confess his feelings to her. He had told her everything, how he had loved her silently for years, how he admired strength and sadly, she has turned him down respectfully but now, she took was gone.

Guilt weighed upon him like a tidal wave, and he grabbed his head between his hands, taking shallow, ragged breaths as he wondered if it were his fault.

A sharp pang of sorrow pierced his heart at the thought of Diana who had loved him too and died, and now Emma, too, was gone, just a day after he had confessed his feelings for her too.

Two incredible women, both taken from him in the cruelest of ways.

Brandon's eyes shifted to the small hospital bed where little Emily lay sleeping. Her tiny chest rose and fell steadily. Tears blurred his vision as he thought about how life had dealt this child such a devastating blow.

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Emily stirred in her sleep, her hand twitching as if searching for someone. Brandon reached out and laid his big hand over her small one. Tears streamed down his face, and silently he made a promise with himself that he would stand by Emily, Ethan, and Mrs. Walker come what may. He gritted his teeth firmly in determination, his jaw tightened.

His grief would not destroy him, not when he was needed now more than ever by the people Emma had left behind; Ethan and Mrs. Walker. He couldn't fly out of the country now, not yet. His responsibility was here, with the family she had left behind.

He picked up his phone and dialed nurse Kelly's number, telling her not to let Mrs. Walker know about the incidence.

ΔΑΛΛΑ

The men suddenly came into the room, looking shocked and worried.

"It was a bomb," one of them announced out of breath.

Annie's eyes went wide with utter disbelief. "A bomb? In broad daylight?" she asked, her voice sharp and tinged with curiosity.

He nodded 'solemnly. "The Diana House was attacked."

For a moment, Annie froze, her mind racing. Immediately, fear was replaced by something darker, a twisted sense of satisfaction. Slowly, disbelief gave way to a sly smile.

So, Emma wasn't untouchable after all, she thought, the realization washing over her like a sweet melody. Someone else out there had struck Emma Black.

Annie kept smiling. Without the Diana House backing her, Emma will crumble, will be nothing in the business world. She will be the same failure she has been with her father's company The thought that Emma might lose everything while Annie hadn't so much as lifted a finger sent her over the moon. This victory was one not even planned for, yet fell right into her lap.

"Now, it's time to celebrate," she whispered to herself, looking in Jim's direction. He sat slumped in the chair, his face so battered, hardly resembling himself.

"Take him out," Annie ordered coldly, without feeling. "He's useless to me now."

The men nodded and dragged Jim away as Annie smoothed her dress, her mind already moving on to the next step. She flagged a passing taxi and made sure to instruct the driver to drive by Diana House. She had to see for herself the destruction, bathe in the view of Emma's empire crumbling.

As the taxi neared the building, Annie leaned forward; her smile not as wide as the scene came into view, the building wasn't all destroyed. Just a few of the top floors were affected with thick smoke still billowing to the sky.

She felt her excitement fall. She cursed in silence, taking out her phone to check the latest news updates. She scrolled and her heart leapt again. The headlines reported that Emma Black herself had been inside the building when the bomb went off, along with several others.

Annie's eyes became wider, and her mind started racing with this new revelation.

Emma's death means so much to Annie. Her rival was finally gone, erased from existence.

Awicked smile curled her lips as she leaned back in her seat. Emma was gone and Alexander was hers now. Completely! Forever!

"Drive," she ordered the taxi driver, her voice shaking with restrained glee. She stared out of the window, her heart

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11:12 Sat, Jan 4 G.

Chapter 135

thundering with triumph.

3

This was her moment, her ultimate victory. Emma was gone, and now the world, and Alexander belonged to her alone. SEND GIFT

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