How a Crippled Heiress Tore Down Her Husband's Empire novel Chapter 2

As I stepped into the lobby, I overheard two male staffers whispering: 

"Must be nice to drop that kind of cash."

"He booked the whole place. I peeked inside earlier—it's like a fairy tale in there." 

"CEO and his sweet little intern?"

"Sounds like a soap opera. Real-life drama, huh?" 

Noticing me, they quickly plastered on professional smiles. 

"Good evening, ma'am. I'm sorry, but the venue is fully booked tonight." 

I forced my voice to stay steady, though it came out hoarse: 

"Mr. Emerson sent me to drop off some documents. Let me through." 

Hearing Samuel's name, they assumed I was from the company. 

Not only did they let me in, but they even pointed me to the right floor. 

When I walked into the private dining room and saw them enjoying their candlelit dinner, my last shred of hope shattered. 

"Samuel, so this is your ‘urgent meeting'?" 

My sudden appearance caught him off guard. 

But instead of looking guilty, he glared at me: 

"Emily, are you stalking me now?!" 

I ignored him and pointed at Lily: 

"Two years of marriage, and you ditch me on Valentine's Day to wine and dine her?"

"Samuel, don't you think I deserve an explanation?" 

Lily quickly stood up, putting on her best damsel-in-distress act: 

"You must be Mrs. Emerson!"

"Please don't misunderstand—Samuel and I are just friends!" 

"He's been so kind, helping me adjust to the city."

"I'm all alone here, and he's just been guiding me…" 

She picked up her wine glass as she spoke. 

This movement gave me a clear view of her outfit—a backless gown that clung to her curves, her figure subtly revealed with every step she took. 

Lily: 

"I didn't mean to cause any misunderstanding, Mrs. Emerson."

"I'm so sorry for taking up so much of Samuel's time."

"Please, accept this drink as an apology." 

Before I could react, Lily's hand "slipped," and the entire glass of champagne spilled onto my empty sleeve. 

"Oh my God... Mrs. Emerson, I'm so sorry! I'm such a klutz..." 

A sharp pang shot through my chest, and I instinctively pushed her away. 

"Do you know how disgusted I feel every time I see that ugly stump of yours?" 

"If you leave Lily alone, I'll keep up this charade of a marriage."

"But if you keep harassing her, don't blame me for ending this." 

His cruel words hit me like a punch to the gut. 

He said he was disgusted by my missing arm, but had he already forgotten it was his negligence in the lab that caused the explosion? 

If he hadn't cut corners that day, I wouldn't have rushed into the flames to save him. 

Even as I was wheeled into surgery, half-conscious, I was still mumbling, 

"Save my husband... the lab... my husband..." 

After I recovered, Samuel had wept in front of our friends and family, vowing to take care of me for the rest of his life. 

That's why, when I stepped back from the company, the old employees supported him—out of respect for me. 

Five years had passed since then, and the man who once promised to stand by me forever was now using his sharpest words to defend another woman. 

"Samuel, please don't argue with Mrs. Emerson..."

"It's all my fault. I'll leave now." 

"I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me this past year."

"I don't want anything else, just this bracelet as a keepsake." 

Lily slowly slipped the bracelet off her wrist, shooting me a sly glance when Samuel wasn't looking.