By the Time He Looked Back

My best friend Sarah Collins arrived late with Mr. Thompson, my father's secretary.

"Uncle Robert had an emergency meeting and could not leave, so he asked me to bring Mr. Thompson first."

Sarah's gaze swept sharply across the room before she stepped in front of me.

"Looks like we came at the wrong time.

"I am only a little late, and you all already ganged up on her?"

Her eyes burned straight through Luke.

"Your girlfriend, and you joined other people to bully her?"

Luke inhaled deeply and suddenly calmed down.

"Emily, apologize to Madison.

"Everything else, I can let go."

Madison clung to his arm at once.

"Sarah, I only spilled a little wine on Miss Miller's dress by accident. Then she demanded thirty thousand dollars.

"I know Miss Miller needs money. I am willing to pay her, but how could she team up with Ben to lie to and betray Luke?

"I really cannot swallow that. Do not let her fool you too."

Sarah stepped in front of me without hesitation.

"Madison Carter, that routine may work on blind Luke, but not on me.

"And Emily is Robert Miller's daughter. She does not need your money."

Another wave of laughter filled the hall.

"Sarah, this lie was exposed already. Stop helping her. It is embarrassing."

"Everyone knows Robert Miller adores his only daughter. Be careful if this reaches the real Miss Miller. You might be in trouble."

Mr. Thompson stepped forward and blocked those stares.

"Miss Emily is the boss's only daughter.

"I advise everyone here to learn right from wrong before speaking.

"As for Miss Carter's claim that Miss Emily deceived Mr. Bennett, Miller Group's legal department will address it. Miss Carter should be prepared to take responsibility for her words.

"And as for betrayal, I do not believe our boss has ever acknowledged Mr. Bennett as his son-in-law."

"Miss Miller, you and Secretary Thompson..."

Madison opened her mouth in feigned shock, looking heartbroken.

"Did you run into some kind of trouble? You could have told me and Luke.

"Even though you and Luke have broken up, and even though Luke only dated you because of my bet, we still would have helped you."

At the word bet, Luke's expression stiffened.

He avoided my eyes.

"What bet? Luke Bennett, are you even human? You made Emily part of a bet? She liked you so much!"

I stopped Sarah before she could explode and asked him in a low voice, "Luke Bennett, is there anything else you want to say to me?"

At last, I could ask the question without fear.

Luke turned toward me. His dark eyes held mine, and he sighed.

"Emily, yes. I dated you because of the bet.

"It did not have to become this ugly between us. But by asking this question today, you broke the rule we silently agreed to."

I laughed.

"Rule? What rule?"

Luke turned his face away.

"Whoever holds power makes the rules.

"You can go. I will not make things difficult for you.

"And I will not let them make things difficult for you either."

"Luke Bennett, the person who should leave is you."

I sat down with a cold smile and waved my hand.

The manager bowed respectfully.

"Boss."

At the same time, the banquet hall doors opened.

Madison and the others gasped.

"You... why are you here?"