Emma Johnson didn't head straight home. Instead, she went to Mia Lewis's lounge to discuss her plans.
"Are you serious about diving into fashion?"
Mia studied Emma closely. Truth be told, even though Emma had been studying abroad in recent years, she'd successfully opened her branch of The Waterfront in France. Business was booming. Plus, with her sharp financial instincts over the past two years, she'd made a killing in the stock market. Mia had assumed Emma would settle into something stable after returning home. But she never expected the first thing Emma wanted to do was buy the fashion magazine she used to work for—a magazine that was now on the verge of collapse.
"Well, I did study fashion design while I was abroad. But it's not like I'm jumping in completely blind. I just want to revive the magazine. I still have feelings for New York Fashion Magazine."
Emma felt a pang of regret whenever she thought about how easily she'd compromised with Liam Williams and quit her job at the magazine.
"That's good. You've got the talent for it anyway. With you at the helm, New York Fashion Magazine should bounce back. But I heard you're not the only one interested in buying it. Even if it's not what it used to be, it had its glory days. That brand name still carries weight."
Her friend's warning made Emma nod.
"I know. But I've got an edge over the other buyers."
"True. You used to work there. No one knows it better than you."
Emma couldn't help but smile at her friend's response. For a moment, Mia was stunned. She couldn't help thinking how kind time had been to her friend. Even after having a son, Emma seemed even more beautiful than before. Not like her—she had to rely on expensive cosmetics and daily workouts just to maintain her appearance.
It was frustrating how unfair comparisons could be.
By the time Emma got home, it was already past nine. Charlie was already asleep. Little White heard the commotion and immediately crawled out of his nest, circling Emma's feet twice and rubbing his head against her legs happily. Emma picked him up with a smile. Her parents had taken good care of him. After all, she hadn't been back in recent years, and this little guy was the only one keeping her parents company. Naturally, the old couple treated him like a child.
But from now on, she would never leave again.
Five years. Many things wouldn't be forgotten just because time had passed. What time could do was wash away the love, hate, and resentment in her heart. So they could face each other calmly.
That was enough.
The next morning, Emma took her mother to buy a car. After all, she couldn't keep taking taxis when she had business meetings. If she couldn't get one, it would delay her work. Then she drove her new car to check on the local branch of The Waterfront with her mother. Mia had managed it well over the years. They were close friends and, of course, trusted partners. Emma had managed her branches well in France, and Mia wouldn't let the domestic branch fail under her watch.
Finally, mother and daughter went to the market to buy groceries and headed home. Seeing her father teaching Charlie to read, Emma felt a warmth in her heart.
Even if her love life had no home, she still had her loving parents and her beloved son. A family of four was enough to teach her to be content.
Two days later, Emma finally went to New York Fashion Magazine to see Joshua Harris. She talked to him about the acquisition.
Even though Joshua hadn't made the magazine prosperous, the old fox was still a fox. Even with the magazine on its last legs, he wouldn't easily give up much profit. And he didn't forget to mention the offers from other companies, letting Emma know that the magazine wasn't without buyers. If he had to choose, it would be the highest bidder.
Emma sneered inwardly, but she understood that profit was paramount. However, she had information others didn't, so her price wouldn't be higher than the others. In business, Emma was no longer the person she used to be. Thinking about how Joshua had once used her, even if he hadn't crossed the line, it was still unpleasant. So for her, Emma really didn't have much intention of giving in.
So when she pulled out evidence that Joshua's close editor had abused power for personal gain, Joshua's face changed. He hadn't known about it, but it had been well covered up afterward. But he never expected Emma to find out. He couldn't help but pale, staring at her.
Emma stared back without fear. After a long moment, Joshua finally dropped his head in defeat. Even if he didn't want to compromise, he had no choice.
After all, he didn't have the heart to send his woman to jail. So in just two hours, Emma signed a contract with Joshua. As for the specific details of the acquisition, they could discuss them later. After all, the contract was signed. Even if Joshua wanted to back out, it was too late.
As for Joshua's original privacy, it wasn't enough to let his woman continue as the editor-in-chief of this magazine. Since Emma had even produced the evidence, it showed her stance. Even if she didn't, no one would want to keep a man with a criminal record in their own company. Even the shameless Joshua couldn't say that.
Emma walked out of Joshua's office feeling refreshed, her steps lighter. It seemed her preparation hadn't been in vain. From now on, she could finally manage the magazine well.
"You said Joshua's magazine was bought out from under us?"
In the top-floor office of Pinnacle Corporation, Liam Williams's hand, which had been flipping through documents, paused slightly. He looked up at Christopher Martin standing before him, his eyes darkening.
He had originally planned to buy New York Fashion Magazine. Even though Emma had left, it was the place where she used to work. Emma had mentioned her feelings for the magazine to him many times. So when he heard that Joshua was going to shut it down because of the scandal, he wanted to leave it for Emma. It was a way for him to hold on.
Even five years later, his feelings for Emma had never faded. Old Henry Williams had hinted at him several times, mentioning several prominent families whose daughters looked very promising and were interested in him. But he never paid attention. The old man's dragon-headed cane would bang on the floor in anger, almost shaking his beard off. He didn't know that the old man was anxious to hold a grandson, but Liam didn't want to deal with any woman except Emma.