Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 63

Chapter 63

The man glanced at the photo but showed no reaction. His face remained stone cold, devoid of remorse. Emma's composure shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she rose to her feet, her voice trembling with grief and rage. "I know you're working for her." she said, her words laced with venom.

That caught his attention. He stopped, tilting his head slightly, but his expression remained guarded

"I don't know what you're talking about," he lied.

"Don't play games with me!" Emma yelled, pounding her hands onto the table. "I know you're in desperate need of money. I've read your file. I can pay you ten times what she did. Just tell me the truth, tell me Annie hired you."

For one fleeting second, a strange look crossed his face; shock or perhaps guilt, but it came and went as fast as the blink of an

eye

"I don't know any Annie." he said coolly. He stood abruptly, signaling to the guard that he was done.

Emma's desperation had peaked. "Ill pay you whatever you want she shouted, her voice breaking. "Just tell me the truth! Is I'll pay you ten times more!

But the man didn't look back. The guard opened the door, and he disappeared without another word.

Jaden stepped forward, pulling Emma close as she wept. "Come on, he softly told her. "Let's go."

Emma whipped her head from side to side, her body buckling with sobs. "He knows something. I need to know who's behind this, Jaden. I need to know!" Jaden's face darkened. "He's not going to talk, Emma."

All the way back to the hospital, Emma's phone buzzed. She opened the message and it was from the victims' WhatsApp group-a chat created to keep all the parents informed. Her heart sank as she read the latest update. Two children had succumbed to their injuries, and three others had turned for the worse.

Her hands were shaking, tears streaming down her face. "Jaden," he said, her voice breaking, "we have to go back to the hospital. Now"

"What happened?" Jaden asked, his face etched with concern.

Her voice couldn't cut through the lump in her throat. Most of the injured children had been taken to Blackthorn Hospital, since it was the closest hospital to the daycare. But unlike Ethan who had access to the best VIP care money could buy, these children had been treated in the regular wards. And now, two of them were gone.

When they finally arrived, the scene was one of chaos: wailing families of the deceased, their cries echoing down the halls, parents embracing each other, Beyond consolation at unimaginable losses. Emma stood in shock, eaten by guilt feelings

She couldn't get rid of the thought that this was all because of her. She had been so preoccupied with Ethan's recovery that she didn't check on the other families. Now, it was too late.

Tears blurred her vision as she turned and walked away, her heart heavy with grief and regret. She couldn't hear to face the parents anguish any longer. What kind of monster could orchestrate such a thing? And how could Annie have thought this was a good ideat She dried her tears and went to check up on Emily, who was being treated in her VIP room for her rare condition. Once she found Emily was stable, she pulled out her laptop, turned it on, and logged into her e-mail. She may have lost those two children, but that didn't mean she had to fail the others.

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Chapter 6

Kevin walked into Alexander's spacious office, his features taut with urgency. The mom was bathed in the soft glow of natural light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows. The atmosphere, however, was quite the opposite of serene. He placed the sleek tablet on Alexander's desk with a slight dip of his head, leading the other man's gaze to it.

"Sir, I believe you should see this," Kevin spoke neutrally.

Alexander went on to study the stack of documents in front of him, barely looked up when reaching for the tablet. His eyebrows furrowed as his eyes scanned the email on the screen. He clenched his jaw as he read what was on it, with each word his disbelief grew. The email was from W2 HOLDINGS. The message was about a very good offer: that the firm was willing to pay the VIP treatment expenses of all injured children. Not just one or two but all of them. And the instruction was quite clear: Alexander was to ensure their treatment right away, with no delay.

For a moment, Alexander froze, his mind racing to process the unexpected gesture. He leaned back in his chair, the tablet still in his hand, and huffed under his breath.

I can't believe this," he muttered to himself.

Alexander's scoff graduated into a bitter laugh as he put the tablet on his desk. He tapped a finger against narrowing

the screen, his eyes

Immediately, his mind shot to Emma. He knew how she was connected to W2 HOLDINGS, but this this was far

too much.

why would she reach out to W2 HOLDINGS and not approach him first? Had she really cut him up completely? Did she think so little of him that she wouldn't even ask for his help?

His grasp on the tablet tightened as he stood abruptly, scraping his chair on the floor. He was not one to leave questions hanging in the air.

What Emma had done was really a great thing but, to bypass him completely, to turn to someone else for something so important-it stung in a way he hadn't expected.

His jaw clenched. "You should've come to me, Emma," he muttered under his breath.

Alexander navigated the hospital corridors, his mind reeling with turmoil. Reaching Ethan's room, he tapped gently. He pushed open the door and stepped inside. Deciding to step in, he opened the door to find Emma sitting by the window, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through the blinds. Her fingers danced across her laptop keyboard with urgency, her focus unbroken until she glanced up and saw him.

In a second, her expression changed. Her eyes went cold, and in a swift, nervous movement, she snapped her laptop shut and stood, as if to guard something precious.

"What are you doing here?" she asked icily.

Alexander breathed, and his tone was laced with something near regret. "You could have come to ore, Enuma," he said softly. I would have done it for you. No questions asked"

Emma frowned, her face clouding in bewilderment. "What are you talking about!"

He stepped close, his eyes unrelenting. "Mrs. Walker's daughter contacted me. She wants to cover for the children's VIP treatment, I know it's your doing. But instead of asking her, you should have come to me first"

Emma's arms folded over her chest in a defensive manner, her posture stiff, as she met his words with a wall of indiference. "And why should I have?" she shot back, her tone sharp. Her gaze flickered out the windows, coming to rest on a man waiting at the crosswalk across the street. Her fists clenched, almost as if she were bracing herself against a wave of memones

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"You are no better than that man over there," she muttered, her voice breaking with a slight quiver but determined. Turning to him once again, she said with hardened eyes. "You and I. Mr. Black, are nothing but strangers now. You made sure of that five years ago when you chose Annie over me."

Her words were like a gut punch to Alexander. He fought to keep his cool, but his eyes clouded over, cold and defensive.

Stop laying all this at my doorstep, Emma' he returned, his tone going cold. His gaze darted fleetingly to Ethan, lying so still in the hospital bed, tubes and machines surrounding him. You're not as innocent as you want everyone to think." Emma's jaw clenched, and her voice dropped perilously low. "I appped caring about your opinion a long time ago, Mr. Black. Whatever you think of me, I couldn't care less. Now, if you don't mund. I'd like you to leave. I don't want you here." Alexander turned, his expression unreadable, and walked toward the door. But just as he reached for the doorknob, he stopped, his hand lingering on the polished metal. He turned his head slightly, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "Tell your boss I'm declining her offer

Chapter 64

Emma's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she froze. Still unable to form words, she stared after him as he opened the door, stepped out, and firmly closed the door behind him.

A surge of panic had her bolting after him, her steps cautious in case she woke Ethan. Reaching the elevator just as the doors slid shut, she pounded on them in frustration, her voice rising in desperation. "You can't do that, Alexander!" she screamed, her voice trembling with anger and despair. "Those children's lives are in question!"

But the elevator went down, carrying Alexander out of reach. Standing there, Emma clutched her fists onto the cold metal doors. Her mind was racing. She bit hard on her bottom lip, holding back frustration tears as she went storming back to Ethan's room.

Dropping herself into the chair by the window, Emma buried her face in her hands. The weight of the situation weighed heavily upon her. She blamed herself for pushing Alexander, for letting her emotions get the better of her. If she had kept her temper in check, maybe he wouldn't have refused the offer.

Her heart was bleeding for the children who were still fighting for their lives. She simply couldn't clear the vision of the weeping parents she had just passed. Their wails ringing in her head. Lives would probably be lost if Alexander clung on to his decision, and it would be a guilt she would carry all her life with her.

Emma wiped away the tears streaking her cheeks and glared into her laptop, determination flaring in her eyes. She might have failed to persuade Alexander, but she wasn't giving up.

She would find some other way. Whatever it would take, she was determined those children were going to get the care they deserved.

A few hours later, Emma was standing in front of Alexander's office door; her determination was shaken, but what she wanted to do and why was crystal clear in her mind. She had to talk to him, reason with him for the children's sake. She took a deep breath and walked over to his secretary, who looked at her from her desk and greeted her with a smile that didn't quite reach her heavily made-up face.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but Mr. Black isn't available at the moment. The secretary politely said. Emma's eyes narrowed, and for a second, she did not believe her. Tll check for myself." she firmly said, pushing past the woman before she could stop her

She burst into his office, heart racing, but she quickly stopped dead in her tracks. There he was, Alexander, leaning back in his chair loosely, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, tie loose, and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. His hair was just a little ruffled, as if he had been running his hands through it in frustration. Emma's breath caught in her throat. How could anyone look so insouciantly dazzling and infuriating at the same time?

She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts as she tried to fcus on why she was there. Her sharp inhale betrayed her nerves, but she steadied herself.

Alexander didn't look up immediately. He seemed fully engrossed in the file on his desk though she knew he was aware of her presence. The silence stretched between them, heavy and oppressive, until Emma broke it.

I'm here to talk to you." she said, her voice firmer than she felt.

Alexander looked up finally, his cold, glacial eyes catching onto hers. "We have nothing to talk about, Mrs. Black he responded, his tone sharp enough to make her falter.

The way he said her name "Mrs. Black" was a sting.

Erúma swallowed Jurd, forcing herself to move closer, though it was almost beyond endurance, suffocating in his presence. "You should not let your hatred for me get in the way of helping those children," she told him, her voice shaking slightly but 21:16 Tue, Dec 17

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filled with desperation. I wept through hell convincing my boss to fund their treatment. Don't let my efforts go to waste.

Alexander's lips arced into a humourless smile as he leaned back in his chair and subjected her to the unnerving force of his scrutiny. "I am really interested in this relationship' you have with your boss," he said, his tone heavy with accusation. "She seems to take care of all your personal needs. It is unusual, do you not think?"

His insinuation sent a chill down Emma's spine, but she was not going to let him see her break down. "Not every boss is as cold as you, Mr. Black," she retorted, her voice cutting.

His smirk deepened, and he stood, his towering frame closing the distance between them in few purposeful strides. The air grew thick with tension and Emma instinctively stepped back, though she hated that he could intimidate her so easily.

"Cold?" he echoed mockingly, his voice low dangerous. "Funny. Iseern to remember you marrying this 'cold' man without at single complaint ten years ago

Emma felt her throat tighten as she moved backward, again trapped under the crushing weight of his stare. She stood a little straightened and refused to show weakness.

"That was before realized who I was dealing with, Mr. Black." She replied, her voice trembling from fear and anger.

The room seemed to grow colder as Alexander's gaze darkened, his eyes like glaciers ready to crush her where she stood. Before Emma even knew what was happening, she felt her body being pressed against the cold surface of the wall. His strong arms Caged her in. His hands planted firmly on either side of her head.

Emma's breath caught as her heart started to pound in her chest heavy drumbeat in her ears. His eyes impaled hers, burning with an unrelenting intensity as if his prey was being captured. She was utterly paralyzed on the spot, and his presence weighed in crushingly. I hate it when you call me Mr Black." Alexander rumbled. His voice was low and deadly, it made shivers run down her spine.

Emma swallowed as his words vibrated deep inside her, her throat dry. His gaze softened slightly but didn't lose any -intensity as it traveled down to her lips, where it lingered. Every second seemed to pass like an eternity. The heat between

them was unbearable. It was charged with something dangerous and electric.

Alexander leaned in closer, his warm breath tickling her skin and intoxicating her senses. Her mind screamed at her to push him away, but her body betrayed her. She slowly closed her eyes, succumbing to the magnetic pull that always seemed to be between them..

For a second, just one short second, her mind wandered to forbidden places. Memories of the past swamped her mind- the feel of his mouth on hers, the way he had stirred a flame deep inside. She remembered the night they spent entwined. together in passion, and her resolution began to slip. Her body betrayed her further as her pussy began to ache with hunger, the thought of him slamming his cock in and out of her pussy again causing her panties to become wer

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