Claiming Emery 의 모든 챕터: 챕터 51 - 챕터 60

Killian returned from Singapore like a conquering king, and I'm his queen.The private terminal at JFK buzzed with barely controlled chaos—paparazzi straining against security barriers, reporters shouting questions, cameras flashing like strobes in the afternoon light. I watched his plane taxi to the gate through floor-to-ceiling windows, my pulse quickened with each passing second.When he stepped onto the tarmac, every eye in the terminal followed his movement. Dark suit tailored to perfection, confident stride, the kind of presence that makes rooms reorganize themselves around him. But his eyes found mine through the glass, and everything else became background noise.“Mrs. Sinclair?” The security chief touches my elbow. “We should move to the arrival gate.”I followed him through the terminal, my heels clicking against the polished marble, aware that every step was being photographed for tomorrow's financial pages. The reporters pressed forward as we approached the gate, with micr

Tobias choosed the worst possible moment to crawl back into our lives.The Children's Hospital gala glittered around us like a jewelry box that came to life—the crystal chandeliers casted rainbow patterns on marble floors, New York's elite all dressed in designer gowns and thousand-dollar tuxedos. I was standing beside Killian as he charmed a group of potential donors, my hand rested on his arm while he explained our foundation's education initiatives.“The scholarship program targets underserved communities,” he said to Mrs. Hartwell. Her husband controlled half the pharmaceutical companies on the East Coast. “Full tuition, plus mentorship and internship opportunities.”“How wonderfully progressive,” she gushed, and from her eyes, I saw how she calculated the social capital and how much profit might provide. “And so refreshing to see young couples committed to giving back.“”Killian's perfect smile never faltered—warm enough to seem genuine, but distant enough to maintain his authori

The Sinclair family estate loomed like a fortress against the autumn sky.Stone walls rose three stories high, covered in ivy that looked more like chains than decoration. Windows stared down at us like cold eyes, and the circular driveway stretched so long I lost sight of the entrance gates behind us. Everything about the place screamed old money and older grudges.“Having any second thoughts?” Killian asked as our car rolled to a stop.“About meeting your family? No.” I squeezed his hand. “About why you left this place? Maybe.”His laugh was sharp. “Wait until you meet them. Then you will understand completely.”The front door opened before we could knock. A woman in her fifties stepped out, her silver hair pulled back so tightly it looked painful. She wore pearls like armor and a smile that could cut glass.“Killian.” Her voice held all the warmth of the winter wind. “You're exactly on time. How unusual.”“Eleanor.” He didn't move to embrace her. “Thank you for having us.”“Did I h

Tobias was drunk at three in the afternoon, and that's when he was most dangerous.I spotted him through the restaurant window before Killian did. The Manhattan Country Club's dining room buzzed with the usual crowd of power brokers and old money, but Tobias stumbled between tables like he was looking for a fight. His tie hung loose, his shirt was wrinkled, and he clutched a glass of something amber-colored in his shaking hand.“Don't look now,” I said quietly to Killian, “but your stepbrother just walked in, and he is drunk.”Killian's jaw tightened. We were in the middle of lunch with Harrison Technologies executives, discussing the final details of their Boston partnership. The last thing we needed was family drama played out in front of potential business partners.“Mr. Chen,” Killian said to the man across from us, his voice perfectly controlled, “perhaps we should move this meeting to my office.”“Nonsense,” Mr Chen replied, cutting into his steak. “The food here is excellent, a

It didn't take much, just like Killian had predicted, the family split. Each choosing the side they thought would probably bring the best profit and reduced damage.I sat at our dining table surrounded by wedding RSVPs, sorting them into two piles, one for yes and the other for no. The pattern was clear as broken glass. All Killian's younger stepcousins had all accepted. His business partners were coming. Even some distant relatives I had never heard of sent warm congratulations. I guess the Sinclair's weren't as united as they had portrayed themselves to the public. They were a bunch of power hungry families.The core family? Eleanor, Richard, Victoria - their expensive stationary carried polite regrets and transparent excuses.“Travel plans,” I read aloud from Victoria's card. “Sudden illness. Prior commitments that can't be changed.” I tossed it onto the rejection pile. “They are not even trying to sound believable. They might as well just write it plainly, that they aren't coming