My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 971

Emily shook her head. "You know I can't carry a tune to save my life. You do it."

Elizabeth nudged her shoulder with a grin. "You went out for a walk and you're still in a mood? What gives?"

Her eyes drifted up to Emily’s head, and she reached out to tug at Emily’s messy ponytail. "What happened to your hair? Your hair tie’s about to fall out."

Emily’s tone was casual. "Oh, I just went and punched someone. Had to let off some steam."

Elizabeth’s hand froze mid-motion. "You punched someone? Who?"

Emily pulled the hair tie out and gathered her hair back with practiced ease. "That foreign guy you mentioned earlier. The cute one."

Elizabeth nearly choked. "No way. Since when are you that hot-headed?"

Before Emily could answer, the next karaoke song started up. She waved her off. "Forget it. You keep singing."

The three-day business trip had a predictable rhythm: each afternoon, Vanguard Automotive held meetings to pitch their latest projects. The rest of the time, everyone was left to their own devices, hoping to network with Vanguard’s executives and gather as much intel as possible.

When it came to social maneuvering, Elizabeth was the undisputed expert.

Later that evening, after Elizabeth nailed her song, she sent Emily a file with background info on Vanguard’s key contact.

This time, it was Juliet Thomas, Vanguard’s deputy head of marketing. In her forties, Juliet had clawed her way up in a cutthroat industry with no family connections or powerful backers to smooth her path. She was known for her sharp instincts, decisive moves, and the uncanny ability to charm or outmaneuver anyone across a boardroom table.

Early the next morning, Juliet invited all the visiting companies out for a lakeside fishing trip. Vanguard had already set up the rods and gear.

When Emily and Elizabeth arrived, several people were already gathered at the water’s edge, chatting in small groups. Juliet was at the center, nodding and laughing as she held court.

Scanning the crowd, Emily immediately spotted Larkin Porter—company badge on display, trailing after his boss. He looked nothing like the cheerful guy she’d met yesterday. Today, his expression was dark, and there were fresh bruises along his jaw and cheekbone.

That bruise on his lip? Courtesy of Andrew Lane.

The one on his cheek? Emily’s own handiwork.

Quite the masterpiece.

Larkin glanced up. The moment he saw Emily, his eyes sharpened, turning cold and dangerous.

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