Ember had several questions racing through her head, but what stood out the most was, “Did he recognize her when they met on the road?” If so, why did he pretend not to recognize her?Icen Clayton Blackstone likely laughed at her naivety the entire time. To even consider it made her feel like she would explode with shame.“Close your mouth, Miss Heart. I'm afraid a fly would fly inside.”The comment snapped her out of her daydream. She abruptly closed her mouth and looked up to him with her lips drawn into a thin, tight line.“Nice meeting you again, Mr. Blackstone.” She spoke to cover her embarrassment. Even though she did her best to keep her voice calm, it came across as shaky.“Pleasure's mine,” Icen replied, amusement twinkling in his blue lagoon eyes.Ember considered leaving but resisted the impulse. She needs a job, and this may be her last opportunity to obtain one.“Please have a seat.” He motioned to the cushioned chair across from his office table.She obediently followed w

Ember's attempt to quit from her previous job at Steel Corporation was largely prompted by the toxic environment she was subjected to after she was hired as Thunder Steel's secretary.She allegedly opened her legs to get the job, and the rumor quickly spread. Her reputation was in tatters because of it, and it seemed like everyone in the office hated her. Nobody wanted to be her friend even though she tried her best to reach out and mingle with everyone.Ember can't afford to experience the same cruel treatment again. Her generous salary wouldn't be worth all the pain if she's unhappy with her job.“Do not be afraid, Ms. Heart; I personally hired you as my secretary, I will not allow anyone to judge you for it.” Icen had his eyes on her but Ember couldn't summon the strength to look at him.There was nothing to say so she kept her mouth shut.He took the chance to continue.“Bullying has no place in my organization, Ember.” When he addressed her by name, she felt obligated to raise he

She was taken to the security office and made to sit on a monoblock in front of a long rectangular table.They removed the shopping bag from her hand which contained her new blazer. They even took her hand bag.Ember didn't feel threatened because she was sure she hadn't broken the rules. She did not steal anything either which they kept accusing her of.The door swung open, and a man in a different style but same black uniform walked in. She learned from his name plate that he was the Chief Security Officer of the Shopping Mall.His tone was firm and authoritative as he commanded, “Check her possessions.” The men who escorted her to the room moved at lightning speed. The next thing she knew her shopping bag was carelessly torn open, her blazer spread on the table, carefully inspected to make sure nothing was hidden inside.When they found nothing on the Blazer their attention shifted to her handbag. One of the men opened her bag, then emptied its contents on the table, sending her b

Icen mumbled soothing words into her ears till she relaxed. Her sobs gradually faded into quiet whimpers till no more sounds came from her lips. When the storm inside her subsided, she collected herself and summoned the courage she could muster to look at him.As she looked up, it immediately came to her notice that he was staring at her. She swallowed hard in response and with best efforts she fought his unblinking gaze.Even though he wore a cold mask to cover his emotions, something that resembled worry and concern danced in his eyes and didn't slip past her notice.She couldn't read his thoughts and Ember would give up everything to find out what he was thinking right now. Unable to take the silence anymore she opened her mouth to express her gratitude but no words emerged from her lips. Now that she's returned to her true self, she realized how dreadful she looked and her reflection on the car window confirmed her worst fears.Her hair was all over the place, her eyes swollen, a

Elizabeth would rather have Chloe as her daughter than Ember, even if she doesn't tell her that outright. The truth was that her mother was much nicer to her cousin than she was to her own daughter. Ember felt betrayed since she was treated differently like she doesn't belong to the family.She's tried her best to make her mother happy ever since she was a little girl so she could gain her love and respect, but it seems nothing she does is enough. Her mother has never found a redeeming quality in her. Either Ember is a complete failure, or nothing she did mattered.Mother's should love their child but why can't Elizabeth do that to her? She had asked herself that question for years but she still hasn't found the answer until now.Sometimes she questioned whether or not she really was Elizabeth's biological child. Chloe used to make fun of her for being adopted when they were both young. This was an idea she had previously dismissed, but recently she's begun to wonder if there might be