When Blood Turns Cold

Alex cleared his throat after the waiter left. "I didn't know Luke had a daughter," he said, his tone thoughtful. "I've met him a few times, just for business, and he didn't seem like the kind of person who'd do something like that." He raised his drink to his lips, pondering the situation.

Amy snorted from across the table. "Mr. Jonas, don't tell me you judge a book by its cover," she teased, leaning back in her seat.

Before Alex could come up with a witty reply, Emmy interrupted, her voice edged with a mix of curiosity and pain. "Maybe he has a disease and knows he won't live long, which is why he left me. But it still doesn't make sense. Shouldn't he have wanted to spend his remaining time with me?" She narrowed her eyes, lost in thought.

She desperately hoped her father wasn't some kind of villain. Despite the anger and pain she'd carried for all these years, part of her still longed for the love of a father—something she had never known.

Alex could sense the turmoil in Emmy's mind and leaned forward slightly. "Don't worry about it, Emmy. Leave it to me. I'll find out everything, even if it means bending the rules," he assured her with a confident smile.

With the backing of Dawn Group, there wasn't much in this world Alex couldn't uncover. All it would take was a single phone call, and the answers she sought would be delivered to him on a silver platter.

Shortly after, the waiter returned with their main course. They dug into their meals, the conversation shifting to lighter topics about everyday life, offering a brief reprieve from the weight of their earlier discussion.

After they were done Alex and Emmy exchanged phone numbers and he offered to drop them but the girls politely thanked him and excused themselves to call it a night.

As Alex turned on the engine of his Mercedes he quietly dialed a number. "Hello Sir" a voice sounded on the other end. Alex getting straight to the point ordered "Help me look into Luke Peterson's past. "Who he married, his children, his business dealings—everything significant. I want it all," he ordered, his tone sharp and decisive. With a cold look in his eyes, he ended the call.

The next day, after her lessons, Emerald and Amy decided to spend some time together. Amy, ever the outgoing one, had grown concerned about Emmy's habit of staying home and doing nothing with her free time. To shake things up, they headed to Dolphin Mall—completely unaware that it was owned by the Dawn Group.

"Emmy, don't worry about using your card. Here, take mine and buy as many clothes as you want," Amy said cheerfully as they walked into a clothing store, pressing her card into Emmy's hand with a grin.

Emmy felt her heart swell with gratitude for her friend's thoughtful gesture. "I'm not broke, you know," she replied warmly, appreciating Amy's kindness nonetheless.

Meanwhile, David, dressed sharply in a black suit with his hair neatly combed, entered the same clothing store, accompanied by his manager. It had only been a few days since he took over as CEO, but his employees were already on edge. Known for his unpredictable inspections, David had made it a habit to show up unannounced to ensure everything was running smoothly.

As the manager droned on about the store's performance, profits, and other mundane details, David's attention wandered. A familiar laugh caught his ear, and his gaze landed a few steps away on a face he recognized—Emerald.

She was laughing softly, her features lit up with genuine joy, and David forgot about his surroundings for a moment. His eyes lingered on her, captivated by how stunning she looked. Her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders, and the warm yellow lights of the shop seemed to enhance the glow of her skin.

But then, his curiosity piqued. Who was the woman beside her? He mused silently, unable to tear his eyes away from Emerald.

Unconsciously, a small smile tugged at the corners of David's lips. For a fleeting moment, the stern exterior he was known for softened. As the manager finished his rambling, David snapped back to attention, nodding curtly before they exited the store to head to the next floor and meet with the supervisor.

Meanwhile, Emmy, blissfully unaware of who had come and gone, was immersed in the fun of picking out outfits for herself. She laughed and chatted with Amy, completely oblivious to the whispers of the women around her.

"He's so handsome," one of them murmured.

"Did you see his suit? He looks like a model!" another added, their voices carrying just enough for Amy to catch snippets of their conversation.

But Emmy remained in her little world, too busy enjoying the moment to notice the quiet buzz around her.

After finishing their shopping spree, the duo made their way to an ice cream stall. Amy opted for coconut ice cream, savoring its tropical flavor, while Emmy, true to form, chose her all-time favorite—chocolate chip.

They strolled through the mall, giggling and chatting as they enjoyed their sweet treats. The lighthearted conversation carried on as they made their way to the parking lot, eventually reaching Amy's car. Still laughing, they climbed inside, their arms full of shopping bags and their hearts light from a fun day out.

Meanwhile, David had just returned to his office. Despite the late hour, he didn't mind staying behind to attend a few online meetings, given that it was still daytime in other parts of the world. After wrapping up the calls, he spent some time reviewing proposals, his focus unwavering.

Finally, as the silence of the office settled in, he leaned back in his chair, elbows resting on the desk, and buried his face in his hands. After a moment, he began massaging his temples, his thoughts restless.

Why was he feeling this way? Was it possible he had developed feelings for her?

No, that couldn't be it. It was impossible. He had never fallen for anyone before. Sure, he had met Emerald a handful of times, but she had barely shown any interest. Still, the thought lingered, refusing to let go.

David straightened up, his jaw tightening. He had never failed to achieve anything he set his sights on, and this wouldn't be the first time. If she wasn't willing, then he'd find a way to change her mind—unless, of course, someone else had already taken her heart.

David pulled out his phone and dialed a number, unfazed by the late hour.