Chapter 248

Chapter 248

Late at night.

After the evening's unsettling events, Emily lay awake, unable to sleep. She turned her back to Charles, her mind still churning over Roy's attack. If someone had orchestrated it—who would want to hurt her?
The disgruntled former employees?
But she'd offered generous severance packages. Even with lingering resentment, that wouldn't be enough to drive Roy to ambush her.

Besides, Roy wasn't stupid. Pocket change wouldn't make him risk a criminal record.

Whoever was pulling the strings had offered Roy something he couldn't refuse—all for the sole purpose of destroying her.

But who?'

"Can't sleep?"

A warm hand settled on her waist, interrupting her spiraling thoughts. Charles's body pressed against her back, closing the distance between them.
Emily didn't pull away. She simply clasped his hand.

"Just thinking. About Roy."

Charles immediately tightened his hold.

"Don't be scared. I'll keep you safe."

Emily shook her head. "I'm not scared. I'm trying to figure out who's behind this."

"Roy's the type to sell out anyone for the right price—he won't stay loyal long. We can break him. Unless whoever hired him never revealed their identity."

Charles's voice was rough with exhaustion, but his mind remained sharp.

"Even so, the moment they made a move, they left traces. It's just a matter of time before we find them."

He paused, nuzzling against her neck. "You're not afraid, but I'm terrified for you."

The gentle tickle made Emily scrunch her shoulder, a small smile tugging at her lips.

She turned to face him, meeting his gaze in the darkness. "You promised you'd protect me, remember? Nothing's going to happen."

Charles pulled her closer, breathing in her faint floral scent. Yet the knot of anxiety in his chest refused to loosen. "I know you're brave. But I can't stand the thought of you being frightened—not even for a second." His voice dropped lower, edged with weariness. "Mike and Sean are working around the clock on this. No matter how deep this bastard's hiding, I'll drag him into the light. You won't be in danger again."

He couldn't bear to imagine what he'd do if someone actually hurt her.

That creeping dread was worse than any corporate crisis he'd ever faced. He hated that he couldn't shadow her every moment of every day.

Emily lifted her hand, gently smoothing the furrow between his brows.

"I trust you. Don't put so much pressure on yourself. We'll face this together. The truth will come out."

Her tone was soft and reassuring, radiating quiet confidence. But only she knew the dark suspicion already taking root.
Someone had sent Roy to destroy her—viciously, deliberately.

That ruthless calculation felt disturbingly familiar—It reminded her of Laura.

Her so-called sister had always been vicious. She'd hired a hitman once before. Prison bars wouldn't necessarily tame her. Laura was more than capable of scheming revenge from behind bars.
Once the thought took hold, it consumed her.

She'd have to visit the prison. See Laura face-to-face.

The couple held each other close, each lost in private anxieties. As night deepened, exhaustion finally won. They drifted into restless sleep—but even in slumber, worry creased both their brows.

The next morning, sunlight flooded the bedroom.

Instead of preparing for work, Emily dressed simply and summoned Cressida.

"We're not going to the office today. Get the car ready. We're visiting the prison."

Her tone was calm, but a cold edge glinted in her eyes.

Cressida blinked in surprise before snapping to attention.

"Right away, Ms. Windsor. I'll make arrangements."

She knew about the bitter history between Emily and the Windsor family. She could guess who Emily planned to visit. Without asking questions, she quickly arranged for transportation and clearances, staying close as they headed out.

Charles had left early for urgent business. Before departing, he'd repeatedly reminded her to stay safe and contact him immediately if anything happened.

Emily hadn't mentioned her plan. She didn't want to worry him. She just wanted to probe first, confirm her suspicions, then decide what to do. The car pulled away from the estate toward the suburban correctional facility. Through the window, scenery blurred past. Emily stared out, her expression ice-cold.

Meanwhile, inside the prison work facility, inmates labored at assigned tasks. The environment was grim—musty air mixed with clanging machinery.

Laura leaned against a corner workbench, lazily folding storage bags. Her movements were unhurried, almost leisurely—a stark contrast to the exhausted inmates hunched over their stations.
Her complexion was healthy, even rosy. Anyone searching her would find chocolate bars tucked in her pocket and smuggled hand cream hidden in her clothes. Even her prison uniform looked cleaner and better pressed than anyone else's.
All thanks to Wayne regularly sending supplies and Delbert greasing palms behind the scenes.
She'd avoided heavy labor, dodged inmate bullying, even befriended two mild-mannered cellmates for occasional conversation. Her prison life was far more comfortable than most inmates'.

A guard entered the workshop, looking her direction.

"Inmate 1366. You have a visitor."

A nearby inmate wiped sweat from her brow, eyes envious.

"Laura, someone's here to see you again. Your family treats you so well."

Most inmates went six months without a single visit. Laura's regular visitors were unusual.

Laura's lips curved into a smug smile. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear, certain Wayne and Bianca had sent more supplies. Maybe Delbert had sent word too. She raised her chin, following the guard with a spring in her step, her tone almost cheerful.

"Coming."

But when she pushed open the visitation room door and saw the figure beyond the glass partition, her smile froze instantly.

Color drained from her face. Shock and revulsion flooded her eyes.

'Emily?'

The woman she despised most—the one she fantasized about destroying—was sitting right there?

After a stunned moment, Laura instinctively spun on her heel, ready to bolt. She didn't want to share a room with Emily for one second longer. The sight of her was revolting.

"Laura. Stop."

Emily's voice was cool and detached, yet carried an undeniable authority that cut through the phone receiver and halted Laura in her tracks.