My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 516

Emily Blair curved her lips into a smile. “Of course I remember.”

She recognized most of the people in the living room—after all, nearly everyone here had once taken pleasure in walking all over her.

“Mr. Cox was just telling us how well you’ve been doing in the capital, Ms. Blair. Vertex International is really making waves these days. You’re someone everyone has to take seriously now.”

A woman raised her glass and put on a sheepish smile. “Ms. Blair, I admit I used to judge you unfairly. I probably said some things that upset you. I hope you won’t hold it against me—let me offer you a drink as an apology.”

Emily accepted the glass from a passing server and watched as the woman knocked back her own drink in one gulp. Emily herself didn’t take even a sip.

Only after the woman finished did Emily smile and say, “I drove here tonight, so I’ll have to pass on the alcohol.”

The woman quickly nodded, trying to be accommodating. “Of course, Ms. Blair, whatever you prefer.”

An awkward silence settled over the group.

Word of Emily’s arrival had already swept through The Lane Estate. Everyone knew she’d shown up by taxi, not in her own car. Her excuse was so transparent that it felt like a deliberate snub.

A few faces soured immediately.

Someone piped up in a biting tone, “Emily Blair, you really think you’re too good for us now, don’t you? Just because you made it big in the city? Well, let’s see how long that lasts. If you ever find yourself in trouble, don’t come running to us for help.”

Several others nodded in agreement, their expressions chilly.

Emily turned her gaze on the woman who’d spoken, regarding her in silence for a long moment.

The woman shifted uncomfortably under Emily’s stare. “What are you looking at?”

Emily’s lips curled. “You’re Stella Gray, right? From the Gray family?”

Suddenly, the room seemed to close in; Stella’s vision swam for a split second.

“What’s wrong?” she stammered, her voice trembling.

A man stepped forward, silently taking his place in front of Emily. He hadn’t said a word all evening, but his presence spoke volumes—tall, broad-shouldered, with a face striking enough to draw every glance in the room.

When he was quiet, he seemed almost unthreatening, easy to overlook. No one expected him to move, but now he stood between Emily and Stella, head lowered, eyes stormy, his expression dark and unreadable.

Even in a suit, it was impossible not to notice the powerful build beneath.

Stella, standing closest, felt the weight of his presence more than anyone else. She shrank back, suddenly very aware of the distance between them.

“Who… who are you?” she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.