Chapter 88

Shirley stormed out, slamming the door behind her. She knew she couldn't compete with Patricia. 'If Patricia marries into the Rivera family,where does that leave me?' she thought. 'No way! Patricia can't marry Patrick!'Determined, she dialed Emily's number.

"Shirley? Seriously? You have the nerve to call me? Aren't you worried I'll report you for pushing me last time? You could get charged with assault!"Emily's voice was filled with anger as she recognized the number she had deleted.

Emily's anger flared up as she remembered what Shirley had done. She gripped her phone, tempted to hang up, but curiosity got the better of her.'What's Shirley up to now?' she wondered,feeling wary.

"Emily, why so angry? Remember, you're pregnant. Oh, right,you haven't told Patrick, have you? Worried he won't want the baby?" Shirley's voice dripped with smugness.

"Are you calling just to provoke me?" Emily asked, feeling uneasy. She didn't want to talk to Shirley, fearing it might affect her baby. She sat on the sofa,hand on her belly, feeling the sunlight but not its warmth.

"Emily, I won't tell Patrick about the baby. Come to the office, I need your help," Shirley's tone suddenly softened.

"What do you need?" Emily asked cautiously.

"It's about the work you handed over. There's a formula I can't find. Do you have a backup?" Shirley sounded anxious.

"I don't. I stored everything on a USB drive and gave it toyou and

William. Ask him," Emily replied, ready to hang up.

"Wait. Emily. Come to the office now. If you don't, I'll tell Patrick about the baby. Your call," Shirley threatened before hanging up.

Emily was furious and helpless. She knew Shirley was ruthless and might really tell Patrick. She didn't want Patrick to know about the pregnancy, at least not yet. She feared his reaction. Emily stood up, pacing the room, her mind in turmoil. The sunlight outside was fading, casting long shadows,mirroring her inner conflict.

Emily gently touched her slightly rounded belly, feeling the baby move inside her. She sat by the window, staring out at the sunny day, but the warmth outside couldn't ease her tangled emotions.

This baby was an unexpected result of her and Patrick's relationship,a secret she held close to her heart. She had been torn about whether to tell Patrick, fearing his reaction, his potential irresponsibility, and the possibility of him hurting her again because of the baby.

After a fierce internal battle, Emily decided to head to the Rivera Group.She slipped into a loose dress to hide her pregnancy. As she walked towards the building, a gentle breeze brushed her face, bringing a slight chill. Anxiety gnawed at her as she was unsure of what awaited her.

Stepping into the Rivera Group's lobby, a mix of familiarity and strangeness washed over her. The place was bustling as usual. She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. As she rode the elevator to the familiar floor, her heart pounded faster with each passing second.

As she exited the elevator, ready to find Shirley, she spotted a familiar figure at the end of the corridor. It was Patricia. Tall and elegant,Patricia's presence momentarily stunned Emily. She noticed Patricia bore a striking

resemblance to Patrick's first love. Lucy Kim.

A wave of bitterness and unease surged through Emily. She remembered Patrick's deep affection for Lucy, and it stung. She stood there, staring at Patricia, memories of Patrick and Lucy flashing through her mind.

Conflicted and pained, Emily wondered about Patrick and Patricia's relationship and why Patricia was here. Her mind raced with questions and worries. She feared that Patrick might abandon her for Patricia.

Unable to resist. Emily approached Patricia, wanting a closer look at the woman who resembled Lucy so much. Patricia sensed someone staring at her, turned, and saw Emily. Her eyes filled with confusion and curiosity.

"Hi, can I help you?" Patricia asked softly.

Emily snapped back to reality, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Hi, I'm Emily.I used to work here at the Rivera Group."

Patricia nodded slightly. "I think I've seen you before. What brings you here?"

After a brief hesitation, Emily replied, "Shirley called me."

A look of disdain crossed Patricia's face. "Shirley? What does she want with you? She's not exactly a good person."

Emily was taken aback by Patricia's low opinion of Shirley. "I don't know why she called me. She just threatened to tell Patrick some things about me if I didn't come."

Patricia furrowed her brows. "She really stops at nothing. You don't have to be afraid of her. If you need help, I'm here for you."

Emily was touched by Patricia's unexpected offer. "Thank you. but I prefer to handle it myself."

Patricia smiled faintly. "Alright, but if you need help. feel free to find me."

Emily nodded and turned to leave, but her heart was still heavy with bitterness and unease. She worried about how Patrick would react to seeing Patricia and whether it would remind him of Lucy.