Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring
Billionaire Shadow 75

Chapter 75

Annie's confident demeanor faltered. She visibly shook, her eyes widening with fear. "You wouldn't dare," she growled, her voice betraying her desperation

Emma leaned in, her gaze locked on Annie's. "Try me, and you'll find out

But before Annie could answer, the sound of footsteps coming away the restroom echoed outside the door. Both women froze; the confrontation suddenly felt dangerously exposed. Era quickly moved to the door, peering out into the hallway. No one was in sight. She exhaled a heavy sigh of relief but knew she couldn't take any more risks tonight.

Without turning to look at Annie, Emma stepped out of the bathroom, her mind already flitting ahead to what she would face. The time was getting closer for her bombshell, and she needed all her concentration. She tugged out her phone, hands shaking slightly as she thumbed a message.

Tm here.

This isn't just about surviving; tonight will be about reclaiming the power, identity, and placing she had been so desperately. chased out of

Before Emma took more than a few steps down the hallway, her ears were met with one of the soft yet commanding voices from the hosts back on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we've just received an exciting message from the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS," they announced, their tone professional and brimming with anticipation. "She has informed us that she is present among us this evening."

The hall was suddenly thick with murmurs and whispers, as it seemed the collective weight of every head in the room turned, necks craned for a better glimpse. In the midst of rising chaos, somewhere, Emma felt the sudden jerk as Annie deliberately knocked into her, hurrying back to the ballroom,

Annie paused just long enough to sneer. "You should sneak out now," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't humiliate yourself further or stain Alexander's reputation when he finally approaches the CEO of W2 HOLDINGS. It's over, for you, Emma." Emma stood her ground, watching Annie's figure retreat with a shile that curved her lips. You have no idea, Emma thought. It was the knowledge of how Annie would react when the truth finally came out that kept her going

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, her head held high as she stepped back into the ballroom. Her plan was simple: return to her table, bide her time, and let the revelation fold. But fate had other plans.

She had just stepped into the ballroorn when a lady came charging up to her, glass of champagne swinging carelessly so that its contents slopped over and spilled on Emma's gown, staining red.

The woman was a nouveau riche socialite whose parents had just recently joined the billionaire elite and didn't even give a semblance of an apology. She just glared at Emma with a smirk, her voice loud enough to attract people passing by. "Maybe" next time, don't be in my way," she snarled, haughty and venomous. "People like you don't belong here.

Emma stood frozen for a moment, her gown clinging to her ski the wine spreading like a badge of shame. The sting of the woman's words was nothing compared to the cut of the onlookers' reactions: smirks, whispers, and pointed looks that surrounded her, each one a confirmation of how unwelcome she was.

As the woman passed Emma, she leaned in, a low hiss: "The next time you cross my path, it won't just be wine. With that, she strode away on high-heeled shoes clicking against the marble floor. Emma's eyes fell to the ruined fabric of her dress, her hands shaking with humiliation and anger about to overtake her. She refused to let the brimming tears in her eyes fall. Not here, not dow.

But then, from a sea of satisfied snurks and cold indifference, a gure was ready to rise from his seat

21:17 Tue, Dec 17

Chapter 75

Alexander.

A

He had watched the whole affair, his expression unreadable at first. But as those moments passed, and not a single person came out to defend Emma, that was the point at which something in him snapped. His heart ached to watch her stand there with no one to protect her.

"Alexander, don't, Annie whispered sharply and clutched his wrist. "You will only make things worse."

He shrugged her hand off as his jaw set with purpose, Camera flashes be damned, he was about to rise to jis feet and make a beeline for Emma when some other guy materialized out of nowhere.

The room fell silent as the man moved in toward Emma, shrugging off his tailored jacket with an effortless motion. Casually, he wrapped if around her shoulders, protecting her from prying eyes and whispered speculations. Emma's eyes widened in disbelief as her breath hitched in her throat; she raised her eyes to his. The sight of him knocked the air out of her lungs.

"Brandon?" she whispered, her voice barely heard over the stunned silence within the room. His dark eyes met hers with a steady gaze that spoke of protection; his presence was strong, reassuring. "What are you doing here?"

"Silence. Let's get you to your seat. Brandon replied and with this, he grabbed Emma's wrist, and they both headed to her seat. Brandon's actions spark murmurs among the people who have no idea what was going on.

Brandon helped Emma back to her seat with a gentle yet firm touch. She was more than grateful to him for saving her the discomfort, but the weight of the evening still rested upon her shoulders. As he headed to his seat, she allowed herself that one moment, taking a deep breath in to regain her composure.

She cast a glance sideways at Jaden's vacant chair and let out a silent sigh of relief. For one brief moment, she had thought that he had deliberately avoided coming to her aid, but his absence spared her that bitter thought.

Minutes later, Brandon reappeared, this time with his chair in hand. He readjusted Emma's seat and tugged his chair closer. making their table for five comfortable, which garnered further curiosity from the room. The weight of many staring eyes pressed down on Emma as the whispers started to increase in volume, humming with speculation. Beneath her lashes, she could sense people staring, eyes probing and dissecting and questioning. She shifted uncomfortably and muttered under her breath

"You don't have to sit by my side," she whispered.

Brandon caught her wrist gently, his fingers brushing hers in a touch that was protective yet unyielding. His voice, low and thick with emotion she couldn't fathom, cut through the noise. 21:17 Tue, Dec 17