Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

This was the garage of Skyline International Corporation. Did it mean someone from Skyline was tailing me?

Could Ethan already know I lied to him yesterday?

I'd only been to Skyline a few times. The only person I knew well was Ethan.

Startled by the thought, I quickly dismissed it. No way. He had no motive.

As I anxiously approached the garage exit, an arm suddenly yanked me aside. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw who it was.

I asked, "What are you doing here?"

Faris bent his almond-shaped eyes and grinned at me.

"Don't be so surprised. You'll soon realize how lucky you are to bump into me here."

"What are you up to now?" I glared at him warily.

Faris frowned and sighed in mock frustration.

"I'm trying to help you, and this is what you think of me? Do I look shady or am I just a total failure?"

I stared at him impassively.

Of course, I didn't believe he was helping me, even though he did help me yesterday.

Faris turned and leaned lazily against the wall, smiling faintly. "I guess you saw that car inside just now, right? Destroying the camera yesterday didn't solve everything. If I'm not mistaken, the other party used other equipment to take photos. Their purpose in coming here today is to show them to Ethan."

I was stunned by what Faris said. I hid the truth from Ethan yesterday to avoid misunderstandings and to keep my driving lessons.

I had nothing to hide, but if Ethan knew I was with Faris, he'd think about the kidnapping and the unfair contract. Oh my God, I didn't want to think about it.

Faris saw my reaction and checked his watch.

"According to reliable information from five minutes ago, Ethan is still in a meeting. Maybe the person hasn't had a chance to see Ethan yet, but that was five minutes ago. It's hard to say if the meeting is over now."

I didn't have time to ask where he got his reliable information. I just turned and ran.

I rushed into Skyline International Corporation, ignoring the surprised looks from all the employees, and dashed into the elevator without slowing down.

For the first time, I felt the elevator was moving so slowly. I wished I could fly.

When I reached the top floor, the female assistant kindly told me Ethan was still in a meeting.

My intense anxiety made it impossible to wait. I ran straight to the conference room door and pushed it open.

Everyone in the meeting turned to look at me.

Ethan, sitting at the head of the table, met my gaze.

I didn't care if I was being reckless. My urgency must've been written all over my face, and everyone could see it.

He should be able to see it too.

Ethan closed the file in front of him. "Okay, meeting's over."

Everyone left the conference room one by one, and the last person closed the door behind them.

Ethan stood up and walked towards me. His tall figure and well-tailored suit screamed authority.

Seeing his serious expression, I didn't dare to meet his eyes. After all, he was a stickler for work, and I felt a bit guilty for interrupting his meeting.

It wasn't until he suddenly pressed me against the large conference table that I looked up and saw a hint of a smile in his eyes and a mischievous curve at the corner of his lips.

"In such a hurry, what do you want? Feeling frisky?" He teased.

I was mortified.

Last month, I also rushed over to avoid missing the best time. Although I didn't explain at the time, I later told him I went to the hospital for a check-up.

Today, I rushed in with the same urgency. Given the similar situation, it was normal for him to misunderstand.

But I wasn't thinking about that now.

"No, listen to me. I ran into Faris yesterday."

Ethan's smile froze, his gaze turned cold, and the hand on my waist tightened.

"He didn't give you a hard time, did he?"

I didn't beat around the bush and quickly told him everything from start to finish. From discovering Faris was also a driving school student to Faris smashing the stalker's camera. I only left out the meaningful things Faris said at the lookout point.

As I recounted, Ethan changed his posture, leaning against the conference table beside me, his long legs crossed, and lit a cigarette.

He remained silent throughout, showing no emotion. I couldn't guess what he was thinking.

I swallowed and continued. "The place where you picked me up yesterday was actually where I escaped from the person following me. I didn't tell you the truth yesterday because I didn't want you to worry."

He took a drag of his cigarette, his gaze still gentle.

"So why are you telling me now?"

Thinking of the car I saw in the garage, I grabbed his arm in a panic.

"I saw the car that was following me in the garage. I'm worried the person has a purpose and might harm you and Skyline International Corporation."

Ethan's brow furrowed slightly but quickly relaxed. He took my hand in his large palm.

"You think I'm that easy to control?"

His calmness threw me off, but I wasn't as chill about the whole situation.

Why was someone tailing me? Why did the car show up at Skyline International Corporation? And where did Faris get his so-called reliable info? Could he have someone planted around Ethan? "Don't overthink it."

Ethan stood up straight, squeezed my hand, and led me out of the conference room towards his office.

I froze at the door, staring at the person behind the desk.

Sitting there, casually flipping through some documents, was Victor.

Hearing our footsteps, he looked up and was slightly taken aback when he saw me.

He probably didn't expect me to show up with Ethan.

I didn't expect to see him here either.

Ethan must've sensed my unease and held my hand tighter, leading me steadily inside.

"What are you doing here?"

Ethan's tone was distant, not at all how a son should speak to his father.

Victor seemed used to it and said indifferently, "It's my son's company. Can't I come to take a look?"

Ethan said nothing.

Victor leaned back in his chair, ignoring me, and looked at the handsome, upright Ethan in front of him.

"I have something to say to you alone."

I quickly said, "Then I'll leave."

But the large hand holding mine didn't let go; it tightened instead.

Ethan looked at me gently. "No need, you wait for me."

Then he turned to his father.

"Say whatever you need to say. No need to avoid Emily."

For the first time, I felt I had a place in his heart.

I walked over to the small sofa and sat down. When I looked up again, I met Victor's sharp gaze.

I quickly looked away and focused on Ethan's tall back, which calmed my nerves considerably.

Victor leaned back in his chair, a smile on his face.

Of course, it wasn't a friendly smile. It had his usual arrogance and a bit of anger at Ethan's stubbornness.

He glanced at me, his eyes cold and sharp.

"Fine, I won't beat around the bush. Ethan, you've always protected her, but do you really know her? I always thought she was just after money, but now it seems more complicated."

I was confused, not understanding what he meant.

His expression and tone suggested he had some inside information that could expose me.

I forced myself to stay calm and looked at him directly.

"What do you mean by that?"

Victor sneered. "What do I mean? Why don't you tell me?"

He slowly stood up, holding a photo.

I was stunned.

I never expected the person following me to be Victor.

I finally remembered why the car seemed familiar. Every time I visited the Windsor family, that black sedan was parked in the yard. I had a vague impression of it, but the car wasn't distinctive enough for me to recall immediately. Victor continued. "You think destroying the camera means I have nothing? One photo is enough."

The photo showed us getting out of the car at the abandoned airport, with Faris and me walking towards the alley. It was a hurried shot, so it was a bit blurry.

If I had come a moment later, I would have panicked.

But now I won't.

I glanced at Ethan and remained silent.

Victor took my silence as an admission and smiled more confidently.

"Nothing to say? Ethan, I've always told you this woman isn't simple. She's colluding with Faris."

"Enough!" Ethan suddenly interrupted.

Victor's smile froze.

"Dad, Emily is your daughter-in-law. Do you think it's appropriate to follow her and take secret photos?"

When Ethan got serious, he spoke little, but he always managed to hit the most critical points with the fewest words.

Victor's face turned red with anger, and he slammed the photo onto the table.

"What spell has she cast on you? The evidence is right here, and you still fall for it?"

Ethan said expressionlessly, "I know about this."

Their argument was about me, so it wasn't right for me to stay silent.

I stood up, looked at Victor, and spoke respectfully but firmly, "Why do you always have to jump to conclusions? No matter what I do, you never accept me."

Victor realized he was too late. He looked at me with a cold smile, as if seeing a temporarily victorious opponent.

Finally, he admitted defeat, tore up the photo in anger, and left in a huff.

I won!

But this wasn't the outcome I wanted.

I didn't want to increase the conflict between Ethan and his father.

After Victor left, Ethan buried himself in work as if nothing had happened.

At the end of the day, we left together.

In the car, I received a text message from an unknown number: [Don't worry, the day you leave isn't far off.]

At the time, I didn't understand why Victor was so determined to keep me and Ethan apart. It wasn't until much later that I realized that no matter how wealthy or excellent I was, he would always oppose us.