Chapter 27
Emily glanced at Echo, still on her knees. "Want to tag along?"
"No way. I'm just an intern at the research institute. I need to land a full-time gig first..." Echo replied. determination in her eyes.
"Alright. your choice." Emily said. opening the door and squinting against the bright sunlight. raising her hand to shield her eyes.
Marlon was frantic. As soon as the car stopped, he saw Emily,pale-faced. walking out. Seeing Marlon. Emily finally felt the fear set in. If she hadn't brought her stun gun. who knows what could have happened.
"Are you okay. Emily? As soon as Dr. Garcia told me you came to find that scumbag. I rushed over. Did he hurt you?" Marlon gripped Emily's shoulders tightly. looking her up and down with worry etched on his face. sweat beading on his forehead from his hurried arrival.
Emily hadn't been cared for like this in a long time. She felt a warmth in her heart. a bit moved. She gently pushed Marlon's hands away and said. "I'm fine, just a scare." She shook the stun gun in her bag. trying to muster a smile to reassure Marlon. but her trembling hands betrayed her fear.
Marlon ran a hand through his hair, bent down, and picked up a large brick, ready to confront someone. Emily, seeing this,grabbed Marlon's arm. Her legs were weak, and she stumbled forward into Marlon's arms.
Marlon quickly dropped the brick and held Emily steady. "You say you're fine, but you're shaking like a leaf. I think you should go to the hospital. Are you feeling anxious?" He reached out to check her forehead, his brow furrowed with concern. "You alwaystry to act so tough. How could you not be scared after something like this?"
Marlon sighed. feeling both pity for her strength and anger at what she had gone through.
Patrick arrived outside the research institute just in time to see this scene. Before the car even stopped. he flung the door open and rushed out, landing a punch on Marlon's face.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from my woman?" Patrick's eyes blazed with anger. his fists clenched, his body trembling slightly.Seeing Emily in Marlon's arms. jealousy and rage surged through him.
Marlon wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and looked at Patrick with disdain. "Your woman? Do you really treat her like she's your woman? You knew there was a creep inside and still sent Emily here. You know she wants to leave you, so you set an impossible task for her. You're just a psycho who can't have what you want, so you try to destroy it." Marlon faced Patrick, his eyes full of anger and contempt, standing up for Emily.
Patrick's eyes were bloodshot as he grabbed Marlon by the collar. "It's none of your business. As long as she's with me, she'll do what I say!"His voice was low and hoarse, his expression almost feral, his possessiveness over Emily allowing no one else near.
"Patrick, stop acting like you own her. Emily's a person,not your
property. You don't even show her basic respect. let alone deserve her love." Marlon shot back, his gaze unwavering, trying to make Patrick understand how to treat Emily with respect.
Seeing Marlon pinned to the ground by Patrick, Emily panicked. She rushed over and grabbed Patrick's arm. Patrick turned, seeing her fighting for Marlon, his anger flared. He let go of Marlon and gripped Emily's slender arm, making her feel trapped.
Already shaken and weak, she couldn't break free. Pain and helplessness flashed in her eyes, wondering why Patrick always treated her this way when all she wanted was respect and understanding.
Patrick's eyes were red as he harshly questioned, "Are you so desperate for a man? Isn't it enough to be played by an old man,now you have a young one ready at any time? Am I not enough for you?" Jealousy and anger laced his words, seeing Emily with Marlon igniting his fury.
Emily, in pain, cried out intermittently, "Let go! Let me go!" Her voice choked with sobs, her face contorted.
Patrick, gripping her arm, tried to drag her to the car. Marlon got up from the ground, blocking Patrick, and threw a punch. Patrick stumbled, caught off guard. Marlon didIn't care about the Rivera Family's power,fighting for Emily. Emily broke free and stumbled to her car.
Patrick clung to the car door, locked in a standoff with Marlon.Seeing Emily about to leave, Patrick shouted, "Emily, get out of the
car! We haven't finished talking. Where do you think you're going?"His voice was urgent, not wanting her to leave with so many questions unanswered.
Emily drank half a bottle of water in the car. calming herself down.She rolled down the window and said to Patrick. "Mr. Rivera, I uploaded the data and algorithm mechanisms from the lab to the company before I left. I've completed the task you gave me. I'm verbally submitting my resignation from The Rivera Group." Her voice was calm. but her eyes were resolute. She had had enough and was determined to leave this place of heartbreak.
Patrick's veins bulged as he roared. "I forbid it! Without my permission. you're not going anywhere!"
His face twisted with anger, not expecting Emily to suddenly resign.In his mind. Emily was his and couldn't leave so easily.
Emily bitterly tucked her hair behind her ear and said. "Mr. Rivera.as you like to say. 'This isn't a discussion, it's a notification.'" She drove off without looking back.
Patrick raged behind her, "Emily. come back here!"