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“Sir, you really can’t leave now. We just received thetest reports that need your signature,” Roni said, practically jogging to keep up with Samuel’s pace.
Yet he didn’t stop.
Roni clutched the folder tighter, ncing around as he pushed through the front doors of the building.
“You can’t just leave,” he said. “You have a meeting in less than an hour. The board is expecting you-”
“She was seen at an airport,” Samuel muttered, not breaking stride. “In Europe.”
“What?”
“That’s what I was told,” he said, reaching his car. “Someone spotted her. I don’t know where she’s going or why, but I’m not missing this.”
“Sir, please,” Roni tried again, his voice sharper now. “If you walk out like this, there’ll be consequences. The madam will—”
Samuel turned to her, eyes hard. “Let her be angry.”
Then he got into the car, mmed the door shut, and drove off without another word.
Seeing Samuel disappear down the road, Roni’s stomach twisted. He didn’t hesitate–he pulled out his phone and dialed the one person he knew could possibly stop what was about to happen.
“Madam Dwight,” he said as soon as the call connected, “I have some news.”
“What now?” Vanessa snapped, her temper already frayed. Weeks of tension had worn her thin–first Emery dared to humiliate her daughter. Then Samuel, in some reckless act of defiance, ended the engagement with Talia. Her patience was gone. “If this is about another board dy, Roni, I swear-”
“It’s Miss Emery,” he interrupted. “Mr. Dwight heard some news that she was spotted at an airport in Europe, France to be exact. And… he’s on his way there now. I tried to stop him. He wouldn’t listen.”
There was a beat of silence on the line.
Then the sound of movement.
“What did you just say?”
“He’s going to the airport, Madam. Right now. He’s not listening to anyone. But I will immediately follow him and give you an update.”
Vanessa stood abruptly, her ss of water tipping over on the table beside her. She didn’t care. “Damn it.” She grabbed her purse and yelled for the staff. “Tell the driver to bring the car around. Now,”
“Madam-”
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“I told him she took the money. He knows what kind of girl she is.” Her voice cracked with panic. “If he sees her again if he finds out what really happened-” She shook her head, her heels clicking furiously against the marble as she marched out the front door. “No. I will not let this happen.”
She climbed into the car. “Drive. Airport. Fast.”
Vanessa sat stiffly in the back seat, her phone pressed to her ear while her other hand clenched her handbag.
“Did you find him?” she asked.
“Yes, Madam,” Roni said quickly on the other end. “His car is parked at Terminal C. GPS confirmed. I also tracked a credit card charge–one of the lounges near Gate 17. The charge was processed five minutes ago.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes. “He booked a flight?”
“Straight to France,” Roni confirmed. “I’ve already sent the flight number and details to your phone.”
Vanessa didn’t wait for more. She ended the call and immediately dialed the number for the family’s private charter provider. Her voice was steady, but her hands trembled slightly as she gave the instruction.
“Cancel any pending requests from Samuel Dwight. I don’t care what he says or what name he uses. If he calls again, you tell him the fleet is grounded for maintenance. Do not let him leave this country.”
Once the call ended, she nced out the window. They were nearing the airport. She spotted the sign for Terminal C and tapped the driver’s shoulder.
“Park at the side entrance. I’m going on foot from there.”
pavement in
When the car stopped, Vanessa stepped out without waiting. The heels of her shoes struck the quick session as she made her way through the sliding ss doors. The terminal was busy, but she moved through the crowd with one goal in mind.
She pulled up the map Roni had sent and followed it toward the lounge.
She reached the hallway outside Gate 17 and turned the corner. Arge sign with sleek gold lettering indicated the executive lounge. A bored–looking receptionist stood behind the check–in desk. Vanessa walked straight past her without breaking pace.
“Excuse me, ma’am-” the receptionist called out.
Vanessa ignored her. Her eyes scanned the plush seating area until theynded on him.
Samuel. Seated alone near the window. One leg crossed over the other, phone in hand, boarding pass next to his coffee.
She didn’t hesitate. She walked straight toward him.
Vanessa had nearly reached Samuel’s table when a voice rang out behind her–familiar, crisp, and utterly impossible.
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“No, I told you to push the meeting to tomorrow. I’m not doing another video call in a terminal,” the woman said into her phone.
Vanessa froze. Her eyes followed the sound on instinct.
And there she was.
Emery.
She stood near the far end of the lounge, dressed in a long white dress that swayed around her ankles. She wasn’t alone. A tall woman in a fitted ck pantsuit stood just behind her, clearly some kind of assistant or bodyguard, holding a slim tablet and keeping an eye on the surroundings.
Emery turned slightly, her profile catching the light, and Vanessa’s breath hitched.
It was her.
Not a photo. Not a rumor. Not a shadow from someone’s blurry memory.
It was really her.
Vanessa opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Sadly, she wasn’t the only one who heard the voice.
Across the room, Samuel lifted his head. His eyes locked on the woman by the windows.
He didn’t wait. He stood so fast that the table shook and shoved past his mother before she could stop him.
“Samuel—” Vanessa hissed, grabbing for his arm, but he was already gone.
He crossed the room in quick, long strides, his boarding pass falling to the floor behind him. Emery had just ended her call when she heard the sound of footsteps.
She turned.
And Samuel didn’t stop.
“Emery.” His voice carried, cutting through the hum of conversation in the lounge,
Emery’s expression froze,
Vanessa watched helplessly from across the room, heart hammering. She knew this was bad. Too public. Too soon. Emery wasn’t supposed to be here. And now, everyone was watching.
“Emery, you’re finally-” Samuel started, but he didn’t get the chance to finish.
The woman in the ck pantsuit stepped forward, blocking his path with one swift move. Her arm extended just enough to stop him in ce. “You may not approach,” she said.
<b>12:34 </b>Thu, Sep 11 G