She Rejected the Poor Boy in College… 5 Years Later, He Became Her Boss!
Chapter 8
The final investigation led to Victor Shaw.
He had built a network of shell companies.
Moved money.
Manipulated contracts.
And covered up what happened to Ethan’s father.
But there was still one question.
Did Victor order the accident?
Sarah finally revealed the answer.
She had never seen the order.
But she had seen the meeting.
Victor met with a private contractor three days before Ethan’s father’s death.
The contractor disappeared afterward.
Ethan’s legal team found him living under another name.
He agreed to testify.
He confirmed the accident had been sabotaged.
The case became criminal.
Victor was arrested.
Andrew Collins cooperated.
The old financial network collapsed.
Ethan’s father’s death was officially reopened.
For Ethan, victory felt strange.
He had wanted the truth for years.
Now he had it.
His father had been right.
His mother had been right.
And the people who had caused the pain were finally facing consequences.
Ethan visited his father’s grave.
Emma came with him.
He stood quietly.
“I finally know.”
Emma squeezed his hand.
“You can rest now.”
He nodded.
“I wish you could have seen what happened.”
Emma looked at him.
“I think he would be proud.”
Ethan smiled.
“You’re probably right.”
They stayed there until sunset.
On the drive home, Emma finally said:
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever think about what would have happened if I had said yes five years ago?”
Ethan laughed softly.
“No.”
“You never wondered?”
“Sometimes.”
“What do you think?”
He looked at the road.
“I think we weren’t ready.”
She smiled.
“I agree.”
They arrived at her house.
Ethan walked her to the door.
“Good night.”
“Good night.”
She hesitated.
“Ethan.”
“Yes?”
“Would you ever want to have dinner?”
He smiled.
“Are you asking me out?”
She laughed.
“Maybe.”
“I’ll say yes.”
Their first real date was simple.
A small restaurant.
No photographers.
No executives.
No business.
They talked for hours.
Emma told him about her divorce.
Ethan talked about his mother.
They talked about college.
Eventually, Emma apologized again.
“I wish I could go back.”
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because if you had changed that moment, neither of us would be who we are now.”
She smiled.
“You really believe that?”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“You’ve become very wise.”
“No.”
He laughed.
“Just old.”
She smiled.
And for the first time, the past wasn’t between them.
It was behind them.
