She Rejected the Poor Boy in College… 5 Years Later, He Became Her Boss!
Chapter 7
Sarah Reed had served on Sterling’s board for fifteen years.
She was respected.
Elegant.
Quiet.
And deeply connected.
She called Ethan into her office.
“You’ve been looking for me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He placed the records on the table.
“You know about my father.”
Sarah didn’t deny it.
“Yes.”
Emma stood nearby.
Ethan’s voice became cold.
“Did you know he was going to die?”
“No.”
“Did you help cover up the fraud?”
Sarah looked down.
“Yes.”
Emma’s heart sank.
“Why?”
“Because I was afraid.”
Sarah explained.
Victor had threatened her family.
He had threatened her children.
He had threatened to destroy Sterling from the inside.
She had helped move money.
She had hidden records.
But she claimed she never ordered anyone hurt.
Ethan wanted to believe her.
Then Sarah gave him something.
A handwritten note from his father.
It said:
Sarah knows who gave the final order.
Ethan looked up.
“Who?”
Sarah shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Sarah looked at Emma.
“I think she knows.”
Emma froze.
“Me?”
Sarah nodded.
“Your father-in-law told you more than you realize.”
Emma remembered something.
Years ago, after her divorce, Mark’s father had mentioned a private project.
She had ignored it.
Now she remembered the name.
Blackstone Logistics.
The same company appearing in Ethan’s father’s files.
They searched the records.
Blackstone had acquired several Sterling suppliers.
The owner?
Victor Shaw.
The real mastermind was finally coming into focus.
Ethan prepared to expose him.
But Victor struck first.
He leaked documents accusing Ethan of manipulating the merger for personal gain.
The board demanded his resignation.
The media attacked him.
Investors panicked.
Emma was asked to testify against Ethan.
She refused.
“I’ve seen the evidence.”
A board member asked:
“Are you emotionally involved?”
She paused.
“Yes.”
The room reacted.
Then she continued:
“But my judgment isn’t based on that.”
She presented the data.
The accusation collapsed.
Ethan kept his position.
But something had changed between them.
After the hearing, Ethan approached Emma.
“You shouldn’t have risked your career.”
“I did what was right.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“Because I believe in you.”
He stared at her.
Five years ago, she had told him he wasn’t enough.
Now she was standing in front of the board defending him.
Irony wasn’t lost on either of them.
That evening, Ethan walked her to her car.
“Emma.”
“Yes?”
“I need to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Are you sure you don’t see me differently because of what I’ve become?”
She looked into his eyes.
“I see you differently because of who you became.”
He smiled.
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No.”
She reached for his hand.
“I know.”
For a moment, they stood together.
Then Ethan pulled away.
“There are still things I need to finish.”
“I know.”
“After that…”
He didn’t finish.
Emma smiled.
“After that.”
