Chapter 50
“Really? Gabriel, where is she from? Do you have a photo? Where is she now?” Frank’s gaze instinctively sharpened, fixed intently on Gabriel.
But Gabriel remained unreadable, his voice effortlessly smooth. “I’ll bring her home for you all to meet another day. She’s abroad right now.”
At the mention of “abroad“, Frank tensed slightly.
Once tonight’s engagement ceremony was complete, his relationship with Lea would officially carry the title of fiancé and fiancée.
But from start to finish, Emma never showed up.
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Frank moved through the ceremony on autopilot, following every carefully planned step with Lea.
Meanwhile, Gabriel lounged in the VIP section with one long leg crossed over the other, idly toying with his phone.
Then, when the host finally announced that the couple should seal the engagement with a kiss, Lea smiled sweetly and rose onto her toes, tilting her face toward Frank.
At that moment, Gabriel let out a chuckle, smirked, and stood up to leave.
After the ceremony ended, Lea had drunk more than she should have. Now, she clung to Frank, her body swaying as her weight pressed against him. Frank, however, only half–heartedly supported her. “Lea, you’ve had too much to drink. Let Kate take you home.”
But Lea lifted her gaze, refusing to back down. “Frank, we’re engaged now. I want to move in with you.‘
Frank’s expression turned utterly cold as if the evening had drained the last of his tolerance. He slowly pushed her away. “It’s too soon. We’ll talk about it later.”
His words sent an icy chill straight through Lea’s heart. Even her smile stiffened, turning unnatural. She never expected Frank to be this ruthless, and it was all because of Emma.
When Frank arrived at the office, his employees were stunned.
He had just gotten engaged that night, yet the moment the event ended, he was already back at work. He really was a workaholic.
Inside the CEO’s office, Frank stood by the window, letting the cool night air clear the lingering traces of alcohol. But his expression remained dark, his entire presence radiating an unapproachable chill.
Emma…
Was she planning to hide from him forever?
His grip tightened, his veins bulging against his skin as he turned to Shane. “Inform Courtney to hire someone new. Don’t keep Emma’s position open anymore.”
Shane hesitated for a moment as if silently questioning whether Frank was sure about this.
But the cold, unreadable look on Frank’s face left no room for discussion. Without another word, Shane relayed the order.
Yet no matter how many candidates the HR department brought in and no matter how impressive their credentials or sharp their skills, Frank rejected them all. Every time he watched someone work, his mind involuntarily compared them to her.
Why had Emma been able to handle everything so seamlessly, without him ever needing to worry? And why did every replacement feel… wrong?
In just two years, the PR director position at Castro Group had seen nearly ten different hires, none of whom lasted.
Courtney was on the verge of a breakdown. She had recruited graduates from the best universities, but Frank had dismissed them all. She had brought in highly experienced professionals from overseas, but Frank still wasn’t satisfied.
At this point, she was ready to throw up her hands and say, “Mr. Castro, if you want Emma back, just admit it already.”
Meanwhile, two years later, Emma had successfully graduated, earning her degree from Eastside University.
That day, Velma and Darren prepared a home–cooked meal and invited her over.
Over the past two years, they had watched her and Gabriel’s relationship remain steady. Velma, for one, was beyond pleased.
As she looked at Emina–now more poised, mature, and graceful–her heart swelled with satisfaction.
“Emma, now that you’ve graduated, do you plan to continue your studies or return home to start your career?”
