Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 57

Chapter 57

Tm in the muddle of something" dhe started off with a sharp toe. This better be important.

Her secretary's panicked and hurried voir came through "Mah, we have a situation"

Emma was losing her patience. "This isn't the time, can't you all handle it

about you, ma am replied her secretary, much sheepish

"What is it? Just spit it out

"There are videos going around on the Internet, of you...slapping Mr. Black's girlfriend'

Emma's heart sank as the words hit her. "What?"

"Netizens are already calling you various names, it is gone viral, ma'am. The company is getting worried, maarn. It is just as question of time before someone links you to the company. The legal and PR teams are working around the clock to control the damage. Emma didn't even answer. She hung up in a second and opened her browser; her fingers were trembling as she clicked on the trending section. Her name was all over it. She clicked one of the videos and felt a sickening dread as she watched herself slapping Annie, then the camera panned to Annie's face, clutching her cheek, crying. She skimmed the comments, each one like a dagger:

Emma just can't seem to get over her ex! Jealous much?"

"Annie did something nice for Alexander, and this is how she reacts? Grow up, lady.

"Horiestly, this woman's got issues. Annie is a saint for putting up with her."

"I thought she was dead. Do us all a favor and just

die.

The words on the page made Emma's blood boil. These people knew nothing about Annie at all. They didn't know the kinds of sick games she could devise or the danger and pain she had brought into Emma's life. Yet they'd just sat behind their computer screens passing judgment without understanding the true situation.

Jaden must have noticed her distress, because he came up beside her, worry etched across his face. He'd seen the headlines

too, the twisted stories, the way the world had already drawn a narrative that made Emma out to be the bad guy

one word, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. The anger and hurt in her chest began to spill over, and she felt herself start to shake, but Jaden just held her tighter grounding her in his warmth,

"It's going to be okay," he whispered, steady and calm. "Let them alk. We will get through this together."

AAAAA

Alexander had left the hospital the moment he could, leaving Annie and her people to her surprise party. He headed for another company, attending to some urgent issues. He hadn't thought a lot about Emma or Annie since stepping into that meeting; he'd just thrown himself into work, escaping the growing tension that had filled his life lately. At night, he had finally decided to go home. But as he sat back in the car and scrolled through his phone, a headline caught his eyes.

He froze as the bile rose to his throat while he took in what lay before his eyes. Emma was trending, for all the wrong reasons. Videos of her slapping Annie had gone viral, blowing up on social media like a wildfire. Words like *jealous* and "obsessed" were used to describe her in headlines and comments; speculation about motives.

"Damn it," Alexander muttered to himself, anger and guilt rising in his chest. He couldn't fathom that this had been going on for hours and he was only now finding out. He felt a surge of guilt directed toward himself for being out of touc Chapter 37

He clenched his jawliora he imagined Emma, and all that she had been put through. She was most likely confined to fi apament along with her twins. His chest tightened as he imaged her vulnerable, without anyone in power to shield her. from the world harsh gaze. Tun around he said abruptly.

Kevin Mared back at him from the rearview mirror, startled. Si

"Turn around Kevin. We're going to Emma's apartment. Emma in trouble Alexander replied, his hard voice laced with determination.

He steeled himself as they neared her apartment, the immediacy of the situation rising in him. He didn't know what he'd say to Emma, but he did know one thing for certain, he wasn't going to leave her to face this alone

Alexander stepped out of the car as Kevin pulled up in front of Eroma's apartment. The building loomed ahead of him, quiet and lifeless. The darkened windows gave no indication of her presence, and his chest tightened at the view. She is avoiding everyone, shutting herself off from the world. It makes sense considering this nightmare that she is going through with the media, but it didn't sit right with him. He needed to see her.

He strode to the door, his steps brisk, weighted with concern. He knocked solidly. "Emma, it's me, Open up. His voice came even, commanding, but the silence on the other side of the doortwisted his stomach. Harder, this time, he knocked. repeating her name. Nothing. After a few minutes of this, frustration and concern overrode him. He finally turned back to the car, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Kevin, who was standing by the car, opened the door for him.

Find out where she is," Alexander said as he slid into the seat. His voice was low but commanding, betraying his growing anxiety. "Yes, sir." Kevin replied, immediately dialing.

A few minutes later, Kevin turned to Alexander, his face grim. "Sir, she's still at the hospital. Her son was involved in an accident."

Those words hit Alexander like a gut punch. Ethan? Accident? The pang of guilt was sharp, the panic instantaneous. "Drive," he ordered.

Kevin didn't hesitate, hitting the accelerator hard. Alexander's mind was racing as the car sped toward the hospital. I should have been there. Why didn't I know sooner? He fisted his hands, the memory of Ethan's brilliant smile at the airport flashing into his mind. He was drawn to the boy right off, only to discover that Ethan was no ordinary child, he was Emma's son. And she had given him a very direct message on the first day to keep well and truly away from her children.

How could he now?

SEND GIFT