Isabella Miller pressed her hands against her chest, arching an eyebrow as she stared at Emma Johnson standing on the steps. The provocation in her eyes was unmistakable.
Though Emma's face remained expressionless, the coldness lurking beneath her gaze sent chills down everyone's spine.
The two women—one once pure, the other once delicate—now seemed to transform into plum blossoms in an instant, daring anyone to come close.
The people standing nearby were frozen in place, unsure whether to drive Emma away or let her stay.
Kicking her out would be unreasonable. After all, Emma hadn't done anything wrong. While New York Fashion Magazine was a private company, the lobby was still a public space, and visitors were guests. If they did that, they'd be asking for trouble. The magazine couldn't afford any more instability.
But if they didn't kick her out, they'd be offending Isabella. Although Isabella had become quite famous over the years, what mattered more was the power behind her. Offending her could mean losing contracts—or worse, being targeted by Pinnacle Corporation. If that happened, New York Fashion Magazine would be finished.
Unless someone had an IQ problem, they'd choose to side with Isabella.
After all, Emma was helpless now—just an ordinary person.
It wasn't worth offending Isabella for her sake.
"What? Did you not hear me? Who do you think your magazine is? I didn't even give you my face. Can a Chinese company afford to offend me?" Isabella's voice grew sharper when she saw Emma standing there quietly, indifferent, and the people around her not reacting at all.
In the silent lobby, only Isabella's voice echoed.
"Miss Miller, let me do you a favor and throw this woman out."
Just before Isabella could explode again, a man in a black suit suddenly stepped forward and walked toward Emma.
Emma glanced at him but said nothing.
"Miss Johnson, I apologize for the rudeness. Please leave." The man had an imposing presence, but when he reached Emma's side, he seemed stunned by her striking beauty, and his voice softened immediately.
"Is this how you get rid of people?" Isabella shot a dissatisfied look at Emma and the suited man beside her.
The man had been caught in a dilemma. Because of the magazine's status, he didn't want Pinnacle Corporation to target them, so he'd stepped forward to do what no one else was willing to do. Now it seemed he'd failed.
"What are you doing?" Just as the man was about to speak again, Ava Brown suddenly walked in through the revolving glass door.
When she'd first been outside, she couldn't see what was happening inside. She'd been curious why the usually bustling lobby was so quiet, as if no one was moving.
Once inside, she saw the suited man and Emma on the steps.
The man was Matthew Cole, the deputy director of the advertising department. He was usually quiet and had nothing in common with Ava, so even though they were director and deputy director, they barely spoke in a month.
Ava followed the crowd's gaze and walked forward. She glanced at Matthew, then looked at Emma suspiciously and asked, "Editor-in-Chief, what's going on?"
Before Emma could speak, Isabella chimed in: "Is she still your editor-in-chief? In this company, you'd better watch your mouth and not offend the wrong people."
Emma didn't mind. She gave a generous smile and said, "Indeed, I'm no longer the editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine. I'm not now, and I won't be in the future. So Ava, you'd better not call me that."
Hearing this exchange, the older staff members suddenly remembered that when Emma had been working there, she'd always favored Ava. Was that why she'd come to the magazine this time—to find Ava?
"Since you're not the editor-in-chief, I think you remember what I said just now. Do I need to repeat it?" Isabella's smile was fierce as she stared at Emma.
Looking at Isabella's smile, Emma showed no expression. "Security, please escort Miss Miller out. She has no class—running into other companies and yelling about 'famous models.' We don't need that kind of behavior at New York Fashion Magazine."
Emma's words left everyone confused.
Hadn't Isabella been the one trying to drive someone out?
How had it suddenly become Emma's territory?
Who exactly was Emma? The people on the side exchanged glances. They'd all seen the whole process, but no one could explain what was happening.
Only a few smart people suddenly remembered that today was the day their new chairman was supposed to come to the company for a meeting. They couldn't help wondering if the new boss was that pure and lovely woman.
But if it really was her, wasn't that too dramatic?
None of the people present spoke up. They didn't want to suffer.
Nowadays, it was hard to find a job—especially a good one they liked and were suited for. They didn't want to be replaced.
Ava hadn't expected Emma to go straight after Isabella, decisively terminate her contract, and drive her out. She secretly applauded in her heart, almost jumping up to clap for Emma. Looking at the group of clueless people, Ava couldn't contain her excitement and announced loudly: "Editor-in-Chief—oh, I mean—Miss Emma Johnson has already acquired our magazine. She's our big boss now."
Once again, a commotion broke out below.
Ava, who had been excited a second ago, was now confused. She'd deliberately hidden Emma's identity to make her appearance more dramatic, but she hadn't expected the drama to be so overwhelming that it caught her off guard.
And Matthew Cole, who had just helped Isabella, broke out in a cold sweat.
Originally, Ava had been handling everything steadily and was likely to be promoted next year. Once promoted, the position of advertising department director would be within reach.
He hadn't expected this to happen now.
He was afraid his job would be lost because of his many mistakes.
Matthew hung his head.
After a while, the security guards by the lobby came over, ready to escort Isabella out.
Isabella glared fiercely at Emma. She'd never imagined that Emma would buy the magazine as soon as she returned.
No wonder it was clear that Pinnacle Corporation had wanted to buy the magazine before, but after it was bought by someone else, there was no movement.
If it weren't for Emma, anyone else would have been crushed by Liam Williams.
"Emma Johnson, just wait for me!" Isabella stomped her high heels and stormed out of New York Fashion Magazine.