Emily tried to explain herself, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Raymond. "I'm sorry, Raymond. I didn't mean for this to happen. I never thought it would turn out like this."
"Emily, because you saved my life five years ago, I didn't want to hold the past against you. But now, give me back my card, my necklace, and take your things and get out."
Raymond's face showed no anger, only cold indifference.
Emily was terrified. She bit her lip hard, knowing that Raymond was going to take back everything he had ever given her.
"Raymond, you can't do this to me. I gave you my first time five years ago, and this is how you repay me?"
"A woman who dared to harm my grandfather's life—do you think I care about what happened five years ago? With just a few minutes of video, I can send you to prison for life."
Raymond's words were as cold as ice.
Emily's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. Raymond had crushed her dignity underfoot. She was no longer the cherished Emily, no longer the unique girl in Raymond's heart.
He had given her everything he could, and now he was taking it all back.
Emily was no longer who she used to be, and she couldn't go back to that person.
Was she really going to be reduced to nothing?
"Raymond, Raymond... I'm begging you, don't do this to me. I'll change, I promise I'll change."
Emily crawled towards Raymond on her knees, begging humbly.
"Don't take my card, don't take my house. I promise I'll never do anything bad again, okay? Raymond... I'm begging you."
Stuart and the bodyguards standing nearby couldn't help but feel speechless. For money, Emily was now groveling like a dog in front of Raymond.
Raymond's gaze was icy as he reached out to stop her from getting closer. "From the moment you tried to harm my grandfather, I had no mercy left for you. You no longer deserve any of this."
Nolan's eyes also turned cold as he looked at Emily. At that moment, he realized he no longer had any feelings for her. It was all just too ridiculous.
"Mr. Thomas, I'm sorry. I resign." Nolan walked over and bowed deeply to Raymond in front of everyone. "Ms. Lowe seduced me. I know I made an unforgivable mistake. I'm sorry."
"Nolan, what are you talking about? You forced me! You're a bastard!"
Emily couldn't believe Nolan would turn on her like this. She also couldn't believe Raymond would be so heartless, not helping either of them and turning his back on her so easily.
She wanted to argue, but as soon as she opened her mouth, she smelled the strong scent of alcohol on herself and lost her confidence.
Raymond glanced at her coldly and then looked at his bodyguards, giving a chilling order, "What are you waiting for?"
The bodyguards immediately stepped forward to strip Emily of everything that belonged to Raymond.
"My things are mine! You can't take them! I'll fight you!"
Emily struggled desperately, but the difference in strength between men and women was too great. She could only watch helplessly as everything was taken from her, leaving her in just her undergarments.
At that moment, she truly understood what humiliation felt like.
"Please, Raymond, please let me go. I know I was wrong. I regret it."
Emily began to kowtow, her face covered in snot and tears, looking like a drowned rat.
Raymond looked at her pathetic state with a hint of sarcasm in his eyes and said coldly, "Too late."
Raymond's gaze was sharp and intimidating, the kind that only someone in power could possess. Just one look made Emily tremble all over.
Even though they were only a few feet apart, she didn't dare take another step forward, as if there was an abyss leading to hell in front of her.
"Get out."
Emily gritted her teeth. She still wanted to keep a shred of dignity in front of Raymond, naively thinking that if Raymond calmed down, he might treat her a little better.
Emily walked slowly towards the door, hoping in her heart that Raymond would call her back, just like before, giving her another chance even if she had done something wrong.
But she never expected Raymond's heart to be so hard, not even sparing her a glance.
So, she quickened her pace and walked out of the villa. She looked up at the place she had lived in for just over half a year. Everything here had once been so familiar, so warm, but now it had nothing to do with her.
She had lived a life of luxury here, enjoying the best of everything. Looking at the Ferrari in the garage, a surge of hatred welled up in her heart.
How did she end up like this?
Emily clenched her fists tightly. She could have had it all if she hadn't done anything wrong. At this moment, Emily was filled with regret. She should have just enjoyed everything quietly instead of ruining it.
But there was no medicine for regret in this world.
Through the glass of the floor-to-ceiling window, Emily saw Raymond's reflection. He stood tall, dressed in a suit, his legs looking especially straight in his dark trousers. But she no longer had the right to touch him.
Emily walked out of the villa gates. The only thing of value left on her was the clothes she was wearing—a coat worth thousands of dollars, shoes and a bag worth several hundred.
In just one day, she had lost everything and was back to square one.
Tears of unwillingness rolled down her cheeks. Emily silently cursed Raymond and Melinda, wishing them the worst.
Emily's lips curled into a cold smile. Melinda would never know that her child's biological father was actually Raymond.
And Raymond would never know that he had a son so close by.
This secret, she swore to take to her grave, ensuring Melinda would live in pain forever.
Emily walked into a corner coffee shop. Half a year ago, she had been living a life of luxury, but now she could only sit in this small shop, forced to accept the harsh reality of her fall from grace.
She finished her coffee, the bitter taste lingering on her tongue, making it feel numb. Her sense of taste seemed to have dulled. Even though she had ordered the most aromatic coffee, it tasted bland.
"Are you serving instant coffee here?" Emily angrily slammed the coffee cup on the table.
"No, ma'am, every cup is freshly ground," the server said, smiling apologetically. After all, the customer is always right.
"I've had so much coffee, and yours is the worst." Emily stood up and walked to the door, only to hear two women mocking her.
"Look at her, dressed so nicely but with no manners."
"Yeah, no class at all."
Emily turned around sharply and saw the two women looking at her with ridicule. She was furious and snapped, "What are you saying about me behind my back?"
"Are we talking about you? We were just discussing that barking dog earlier. Don't take it personally."