Adkins Windsor had assured them that after Emma and Sheridan got engaged, the alliance would prop up the company’s stock price, at least for a while.

But the bounce lasted just a single day. After that, the stock took an even sharper dive.

Both Adkins and Baillie suspected foul play—someone manipulating the market behind the scenes. They spent days digging for the culprit, but no matter what they tried, the saboteur remained a phantom.

Then, out of nowhere, a so-called agent showed up at their door, delivering a challenge directly to The Windsor Group.

It felt like a death sentence—dread and panic swept through the Windsor family, leaving them in chaos, while the company’s staff grew anxious and fractured, the whole organization on the verge of collapse.

To keep control of The Windsor Group, Adkins needed to buy up more shares, but the family was flat out of cash. With everything falling apart, the only person he could think to turn to was his soon-to-be son-in-law, Sheridan.

Adkins and Baillie hurried to see him.

“What? You want to borrow money from me? And not just a little—ten million dollars?” Sheridan scoffed, not even bothering to hide his contempt. “Adkins, maybe you should take a good look in the mirror. The entire Windsor family, plus your precious company, isn’t even worth that much, and you dare ask me for ten million?”

Adkins, fuming, jabbed a finger in Sheridan’s face. “Is this how you speak to your elders? You’re engaged to Emma now; you’re practically family, and I’m only asking you for help until we’re back on our feet. It’s not like I won’t pay you back!”

“Family? Who the hell wants to be your son-in-law?” Sheridan retorted, crossing his legs and lighting a cigarette, blowing smoke in their direction. “Actually, you’re just in time—I was about to call off the engagement anyway. Take Emma with you and get out of my sight. I’ll make a public announcement tomorrow.”

Baillie’s face twisted in shock and anger. “What’s your problem? You just got engaged! You slept with my sister and now you’re bored, so you want to throw her away?”

“I got set up by Jamison, and you Windsors tried to play me too. Lucky for me, I caught on before you could drag me down with you.” Sheridan’s words were cut short as he noticed Emma descending the stairs. He waved his cigarette at her, voice cold and sharp. “You—grab your things and go with your family.”

Emma’s eyes were red-rimmed, her cheek still swollen from the bruises she’d gotten on their engagement night—a reminder of the violence she’d endured. She looked utterly defeated, every trace of pride stripped away.

Regret gnawed at her. She never should have tried to manipulate Sheridan, never should have tried to pit him against Jamison and Ivy, thinking she could sit back and watch them tear each other apart.

But Sheridan wasn’t up to the fight. Unable to win against Jamison, he’d turned his anger and frustration on her, and last night, he’d beaten her again.

Emma reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped, expression flat.

Adkins walked over, frowning. “Emma, what’s going on? Are you really going to let him break off the engagement? Think carefully—if you get dumped again, who’s going to want you?”

After all, she’d been dumped by Micah already. If Sheridan cast her aside too, she’d be even more “used goods” in everyone’s eyes, her value plummeting.

Emma’s chest tightened with grief and anger. She wanted to lash out at Adkins, to tell him how heartless he was, how he only cared about profit, never about her. But the words stuck in her throat—she didn’t dare burn that bridge.

If Sheridan did dump her and she turned her back on the Windsors, she’d be truly alone.

The Windsor family had never hesitated to cast aside their own flesh and blood. What chance did a foster daughter with a checkered past have?

A storm of emotion raged inside her, but in the end, she forced herself to calm down.

“Dad… This is all Ivy’s fault. I never wanted to break up with Sheridan, but he just can’t let it go.” Emma quickly shifted the blame, her voice trembling as she tried to cry her way into sympathy.

Adkins had already heard from Rosetta how Ivy and Jamison had orchestrated this, setting up his youngest daughter to marry a thug and suffer abuse and humiliation. There was nothing he could do. He clenched his jaw, then lowered his voice, trying to comfort her. “We know you’ve been through a lot, but this isn’t the time to act out. Sheridan still cares about you. You just need to sweet-talk him, give him what he wants—men always fall for that.”

Emma hung her head and let the tears fall.

Baillie came over and tried to reason with her. “Emma, you need to remember—we’re all in this together. If you win over Mr. Carter and he helps us, you’ll benefit too. But if the Windsor family goes bankrupt, he won’t look twice at you.”

Even at a time like this, Baillie was still trying to guilt-trip her.

Emma wasn’t stupid—she knew exactly what Baillie was doing. But she also knew he had a point.

After a long silence, she clenched her fists, steeled herself, and walked over to Sheridan.

“Sheridan…” she called softly, kneeling down beside him and taking his hand, her voice as sweet and submissive as she could muster. “Please, don’t call off the engagement. I really do love you. You said you loved me too. Why let anyone else come between us?”

Sheridan pulled his hand away, leaning back against the couch. He prodded her chin up with the tip of his shoe, eyes narrowed in mockery. “You love me that much, huh?”

Emma had no choice but to look up at him, nodding, eyes downcast. “Yes…”

He grinned wickedly. “So if I ask you for something, you’ll do it?”