Chapter 47

The sound hit Emily like a punch to the gut. She never thought that all those years of love and dedication would be seen as a burden and disgrace in Patrick's eyes.

Tears streamed down her face as her world fell apart.

Maybe, in his mind, she was just a high-priced call girl, always at his beck and call,ready to work or sleep with him.

His furious outburst was just him losing control.

Emily's heart ached with helplessness, her life plunged into darkness. She slid down against the fire exit door, hugging her knees and burying her head, her tears soaking her clothes, her body trembling as waves of sorrow washed over her.

After a while, a dull pain in her stomach made her stop crying and wipe her tears, forcing herself to calm down. She thought,'I can't be weak, I can't cry. I have a baby now. I have to be strong. Patrick's words mean nothing.'

Her eyes gradually showed a determined gentleness,the power of a mother's love.

Emily braced herself against the wall and stood up. Once the pain in her stomach subsided a bit, she took a deep breath and noticed a few drops of fresh blood where Patrick had been

standing.

After regaining her composure, she patted her face to look natural and returned to her desk upstairs, facing curious and suspicious glances from her colleagues. She knew it would be hard to hide what had happened with Patrick. Her coworkers'eyes were probing, doubtful, and even hostile, but she decided to ignore them. She would prove herself with her abilities,start anew in this environment, and create a future for her child,unafraid of the thorns and obstacles ahead.

Emily quickly calmed herself, ready to face the rumors and doubts alone.

When Marlon returned to the Hughes Group, sunlight cast shadows on the ground.

He wore a light gray plaid suit, exuding an extraordinary aura,holding a royal blue velvet box.

His steps were hurried, the sound of his leather shoes quickening,his heartbeat accelerating. The employees' murmurs made him uneasy. He glanced around, and those who met his gaze quickly looked down, pretending nothing had happened.

Pushing open the door, he saw the bruises on Emily's neck.Marlon's heart tightened, his breath catching. The bruises were glaringly obvious against her smooth skin.

"Emily, what happened to you?" Marlon asked.

He rushed forward to check her injuries, his eyes full of concern and anxiety. But Emily stood up and took a step back.avoiding his hand, her movements stiff, her eyes filled with panic and embarrassment.

Marlon pulled back, feeling awkward and worried. His hand trembled slightly before he placed it on the table, coughing twice,feeling helpless.

"What happened? It doesn't look like you just fell," he asked.his voice filled with confusion. Marlon thought,'How could she have gotten hurt in just half an hour? Could there be bullying in the company?' He felt like he had made a mistake by bringing her here to protect her.

Emily knew he misunderstood. She calmly poured water and placed it on the table, speaking in a low, steady voice,suppressingthe turmoil inside her. "Patrick came to see me just now."

Marlon felt a surge of guilt and anger. He blamed himself for being apart from Emily, giving Patrick the opportunity.His hands clenched tightly, his nails digging into his palms. Anger burned in his heart. He couldn't understand why Patrick didn't cherish her. Even he, a notorious playboy, would never hit a woman. How could Patrick be like this?

His eyes were filled with anger and pity for Emily.

Marlon had known Patrick since childhood. Jennifer took him to high society events, and Patrick often visited the Hughes family. The Hughes family matriarch, Hannah Hughes, liked him for his good grades, discipline,and manners.

Marlon, on the other hand, was carefree and disliked studying,often being compared to Patrick by his family, which annoyed him. Later, Patrick met Emily and fell in love with her at first sight.

Patrick was domineering and wouldn't let anyone else have his prize. Back then, Emily only had eyes for Patrick.

Marlon had once sent flowers to Emily in college, only to be rejected. He then vowed to protect her silently.

The Hughes family had built their fortune in the jewelry business, leading the industry in Pearl Peak City. Their family reputation and wealth were illustrious, with each piece of jewelry being a work of art, carrying the honor of their legacy.

The Rivera Group, however, had a broader range of industries,including smart robotics, chip manufacturing, real estate,automotive, and medical devices, dominating various fields like a commercial giant. In terms of scale, five Hughes Groups couldn't match one Rivera Group. Marlon could only swallow his pride and try to calm his turbulent emotions.