He Humiliated Her and Threw Her Out — Then the New Billionaire CEO Proposed in Front of Everyone
Chapter 5
Daniel tried to create distance.
Emma noticed immediately.
He stopped taking her to dinner.
Shortened conversations.
Kept meetings formal.
She thought she had done something wrong.
Finally, she confronted him.
“Did I make a mistake?”
“No.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
He hesitated.
“Nothing.”
She smiled sadly.
“That’s not true.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You deserve someone who can give you certainty.”
“I didn’t ask for certainty.”
“I know.”
“Then what?”
He sighed.
“You work for me.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want my feelings to affect your career.”
Emma stared.
“You have feelings?”
He laughed softly.
“Unfortunately.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
He looked surprised.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
She stepped closer.
“I was worried you were disappointed in me.”
He shook his head.
“Never.”
They didn’t kiss.
Not yet.
But the distance disappeared.
Meanwhile, the company kept changing.
Richard’s investigation uncovered more misconduct.
Several executives resigned.
Emma helped rebuild operations.
Employee reporting systems improved.
Managers were evaluated differently.
The culture changed.
Employees trusted leadership again.
One former colleague approached Emma.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For not defending you.”
Emma smiled.
“You were afraid.”
“Yes.”
“I understand.”
They hugged.
Emma realized she no longer needed revenge.
The truth had already spoken.
Then Daniel’s father appeared.
Jonathan Sterling.
Seventy.
Chairman emeritus.
He met Emma privately.
“I hear you’re important to my son.”
Emma was cautious.
“I work for him.”
He smiled.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Emma said nothing.
Jonathan continued:
“Daniel doesn’t trust easily.”
“I know.”
“He’s different with you.”
Emma looked away.
“He’s my boss.”
Jonathan smiled.
“Not for long, perhaps.”
Emma frowned.
He stood.
“Be careful.”
“Of what?”
“My son loves deeply when he finally lets himself.”
Emma didn’t answer.
That evening, Daniel asked:
“What did my father want?”
Emma told him.
Daniel laughed.
“That sounds like him.”
“He approves of me.”
“That’s rare.”
She smiled.
“Should I be worried?”
“Probably.”
They both laughed.
Then the mood changed.
Daniel looked at her.
“Emma.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want to lose you.”
She stared.
“You won’t.”
He reached for her hand.
This time, neither pulled away.
