Chapter 5: The Game Begins

The following morning, Emerald woke earlier than usual.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting golden streaks across her bedroom floor.

She stretched slowly before remembering everything that had happened the previous evening.

Achilles.

The dinner.

His invitation.

His words.

"I won't lose my Rosebud again."

She shook her head immediately.

"You're not fifteen anymore, Emerald," she muttered while getting out of bed. "Don't let him affect you."

After getting ready, she headed downstairs where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the dining room.

"Morning, sweetheart," her mother greeted warmly.

"Morning."

"Sleep well?"

"Like a baby."

It was a lie.

She had barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the storm-grey eyes staring at her with emotions she couldn't understand.

After breakfast, Richard Hutton cleared his throat.

"Emerald, I need you to accompany me to Hutton Enterprises today."

"Already?"

"You're officially joining the company next week, but I want everyone to meet you first."

"Of course."

An hour later, father and daughter arrived at the towering headquarters of Hutton Enterprises.

Employees immediately stood as Richard entered.

"Good morning, Mr. Hutton."

"Good morning."

Richard smiled proudly.

"Everyone, this is my youngest daughter, Emerald Hutton. She'll soon be joining our executive board."

Polite applause echoed through the lobby.

"Welcome back, Miss Hutton."

"Congratulations."

"We've heard wonderful things about you."

Emerald thanked everyone with a graceful smile.

She spent the next few hours touring different departments.

Everything fascinated her.

Finance.

Marketing.

International Operations.

She felt excited for the first time since returning home.

Around noon, Richard received an unexpected phone call.

"The conference room?" he repeated.

"Already?"

He ended the call before looking toward Emerald.

"Seems we'll have company."

"Who?"

"Valencian Holdings."

Emerald's smile disappeared instantly.

"They're here to discuss the merger project."

Before she could respond, the conference room doors opened.

Several executives walked inside.

Then...

Achilles Valencian entered.

Every employee immediately straightened.

His reputation alone demanded respect.

Dressed in a charcoal suit with a black tie, he looked every bit the billionaire newspapers constantly wrote about.

"Mr. Hutton," Achilles greeted professionally.

"Achilles."

The two men shook hands.

"I believe you've already met my daughter."

"We've known each other for years," Achilles answered, never taking his eyes off Emerald.

"Welcome back, Miss Hutton," one executive greeted politely.

"Thank you."

The meeting began.

Emerald expected herself to lose focus because of Achilles' presence.

Instead, she surprised everyone.

When financial reports were presented, she quickly pointed out two overlooked risks.

"If foreign exchange rates continue rising, these projections won't remain accurate," she explained confidently.

"We'll need another strategy."

Silence filled the room.

Several executives exchanged impressed looks.

"Excellent observation," Richard smiled proudly.

Even Achilles looked genuinely surprised.

"I agree," he said.

"Prepare a revised projection using Miss Hutton's recommendation."

The room immediately became busy with discussions.

When the meeting finally ended, Emerald gathered her files.

"Miss Hutton."

She looked up.

Achilles stood beside her.

"Congratulations."

"For what?"

"You impressed everyone."

"Including you?"

A faint smile touched his lips.

"Especially me."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

An awkward silence followed.

"About last night..." Achilles began.

"There's nothing to discuss."

"There is."

"No."

She walked past him.

"Emerald."

She stopped without turning around.

"Come to the gala tonight."

"No."

"I'm asking as a business partner."

"Still no."

"As a friend?"

Her shoulders stiffened.

"We stopped being friends seven years ago."

With that, she walked away.

Achilles remained standing in the hallway.

"You're making this difficult," his assistant Marcus commented.

"She was never supposed to make it easy," Achilles replied quietly.

"Should I cancel tonight's invitation?"

"No."

"She'll come."

"You sound confident."

"I know Emerald."

"She hates unfinished stories."

"Tonight... I'll give her the first piece of the truth."

Meanwhile...

Emerald returned to her office upstairs.

She placed her files on the desk before noticing something lying beside her laptop.

A black velvet box.

Confused, she opened it.

Inside rested a beautiful emerald pendant shaped like a rosebud.

Along with it was a handwritten note.

"You once told me roses should never bloom alone.

Tonight, let me explain everything.

— Ace"

Her hands froze.

Only one person knew that sentence.

Years ago...

When they had planted roses together in the Hutton garden, she'd innocently said those exact words.

She had forgotten about it.

He hadn't.

"Miss Hutton?"

Her secretary entered.

"The delivery man said this was extremely important."

"Thank you."

Once alone again, Emerald stared at the pendant for several minutes.

"Why now...?" she whispered.

"After seven years... why now?"

Slowly...

Without realizing it...

She reached for the invitation card she'd thrown into her handbag instead of the trash.

Her eyes remained fixed on it.

She knew attending the gala was dangerous.

She knew she should stay away.

But deep inside...

Questions she'd buried for seven years refused to stay silent anymore.

Perhaps...

Just perhaps...

It was finally time to hear what Achilles Valencian had been trying to say all these years.