Emily stood beside Max, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress as her brows knitted in worry.Leaning closer, she whispered, “Max, I’m worried. Johnson’s influence might ruin my family’s chances to collaborate with the Montgomery family. If that happens, we’re done for.”Max glanced at her, his calm demeanor unwavering.“Emily,” he said softly.“don’t let them intimidate you. The Johnson family doesn’t have the power they think they do. The Montgomerys make decisions based on merit, not petty games.”Across the room, Johnson, Amanda, and Kurt were watching them intently.Amanda’s lips curled into a smirk as she nudged Johnson.“Look at her,” she sneered.“Whispering to him like he can actually fix anything. It’s pathetic.”Johnson chuckled, adjusting the cufflinks on his tailored suit.“She’s panicking, just as she should. The Rose family is dangling by a thread, and it’s about time someone cut it.”Kurt, emboldened by Johnson’s presence, chimed in with a snide grin.“And Max

Amanda’s nails dug into his arm.“This has to be some kind of joke!”Kurt, too stunned to speak, simply stood there, his face a mask of disbelief.Max leaned closer to Emily, his voice calm but firm.“See? I told you they couldn’t touch your family. The Montgomerys recognize real value.”Emily stood frozen, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.Her heart raced, a mixture of joy and bewilderment flooding her.“How… how is this possible?” she whispered, almost to herself, her gaze darting toward Max.Max smiled gently, his expression calm and knowing.“Why not? Your family deserves it, doesn’t it?”“But S-level?” Emily’s voice trembled with emotion.“It’s the highest honor the Montgomerys have ever given. We’ve been doing well, but this… this is beyond anything we’ve imagined.”Max placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.“Perhaps someone finally saw your family’s true potential.”Nearby, Johnson and Amanda were still fuming.Johnson’s hands balled into fists, his face flushed wit

Kurt stormed through the banquet hall, his face red with frustration and anger.The announcement of the Montgomery collaboration was still fresh in his mind, and the sting of embarrassment from the exclusion of his family burned deep.He had done everything right—or so he thought. The Rose family, with Emily at the forefront, had stolen everything from him, and he couldn’t stand it.Finding a quieter corner of the hall, Kurt quickly pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling as he dialed a number that he knew all too well.“Razor,” Kurt growled when the call was answered.The voice on the other end was rough, almost mocking.“Kurt, my favorite spoiled brat. What’s got you riled up today?”“I need a favor,” Kurt said, his tone dark.“I want you to teach someone a lesson. Emily Rose.”There was a brief silence before Razor’s deep laugh echoed through the line.“Ah, the little princess who got the S-level deal. I figured someone would want to take her down a notch. So, what exactly do y

Kurt’s lips curled into a sinister smile.“You know exactly what I’m talking about, Emily. You stole the Montgomery deal from me. That’s what you’ve done. And for that, you’re going to pay. Razor,” he added, turning his attention to the man in front of her.“Make sure she feels every ounce of it.”Razor’s eyes flared with dark amusement as he pocketed his phone and stepped closer to Emily.“You hear that?” he said, his voice thick with menace.“You’re nothing but a little thief who’s going to pay the price.”“I didn’t steal anything!” Emily snapped, her voice barely containing the fear building inside her.She was shaking now, but she refused to let them see her break.“I don’t know about any Montgomery deal. You’ve got the wrong person.”Razor’s lips twisted into a grin.“Liar,” he spat, and with that, he slapped her across the face, the sting exploding against her skin.She gasped, her head jerking to the side as the pain exploded across her cheek.Her heart raced, but she clenched

Max stormed into the abandoned warehouse, his presence like a tidal wave of fury.His sharp, cold gaze swept across the scene, landing on Emily’s battered form lying unconscious on the filthy ground.Her torn dress and bruised skin told the story of the horror she had endured. Max’s jaw clenched as a storm brewed in his chest.He dropped to his knees beside her, gently cradling her limp hand.“Emily… Emily, I’m here,” he whispered, his voice breaking as he quickly shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her shivering body.His rage, barely contained, simmered beneath the surface.“Boss, should we—” his butler, Harold, began hesitantly.“Take her to the hospital. Now!” Max roared, his voice echoing through the space.Harold immediately signaled the guards to carry Emily out, and Max stood, his towering figure casting a menacing shadow over Kurt and Razor, the two men responsible for this atrocity.Kurt chuckled, his arrogance showing despite the clear danger.“Well, well, the scoot