Chapter 162

Back then, the gossip mills churned with stories of Brian's devotion to Emily. If Emily wanted a leading role, she got it. If she disliked a director, he was replaced. If she desired a birthday banquet at Emerald City's most luxurious hotel, he reserved the entire establishment.

With such attentive care, everyone assumed Emily would marry into his powerful family.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. Even as Emily begged him, his face remained impassive; his eyes devoid of emotion, directed at neither Emily nor anyone else.

While ostensibly teaching Emily a lesson, his gaze was cold and distant, as if no one could truly breach the barricade around his heart. Even temporary closeness wouldn't break through.

Realizing her pleas were futile, Emily turned to Grace. "I was wrong. Please forgive me. Please… please put in a good word with Brian. I'm begging you. He dotes on you; he'll listen to you."

Her fear wasn't of another slap from Grace, but of Brian's displeasure—of being completely blacklisted from the entertainment industry.

Grace looked at Emily. "You've mistaken me. I'm not Brian's girlfriend; I can't influence him." She then addressed Brian: "She slapped me, I slapped her back. We're even."

"Is that so?" Brian said flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.

"Mr. Hart," Grace continued, "I've enjoyed the meal, but I must leave." She departed.

Brian watched Grace go before turning to the pale-faced Emily, her eyes brimming with tears, her beauty marred by panic. He raised a hand, brushing her eyes with a finger. "Are you going to cry?"

"Brian, I love you too much. I don't want to lose you. I was impulsive. I'll never do it again," Emily pleaded.

"You love me too much?" Brian replied indifferently.

"Yes… yes, I do. You're the only man I've ever loved. Let's not break up," Emily sobbed, her words punctuated by tears.

Yet, Brian's face remained emotionless. "But I've never loved you," he said coldly. "I don't like women who cause scenes."

This sentence sent a shiver down Emily's spine. She recalled hearing him discuss a previous girlfriend who'd caused trouble. That woman, Emily knew, had vanished from the entertainment industry, her news censored, her applications for roles rejected. She'd heard the woman had amassed significant debt and fled abroad. Her current situation remained unknown, but it was unlikely to be positive.