Emma’s heart sank. Even though she knew it was coming, hearing it out loud felt like a physical blow. The weight of her father’s medical bills and her sister’s tuition rushed back into her mind, crushing her chest.
“Because as of right now,” Ethan continued, looking directly into Emma’s eyes, “she is hired by Vance Global as a senior event coordinator and personal liaison. Her starting salary will be ten times whatever trash wages you were paying her, complete with full medical benefits for her entire family.”
A collective gasp echoed across the grand hall once again.
Emma stood frozen, her lips parting in utter shock. “W-what?”
“You showed more courage, integrity, and honor in ten seconds than half the people in this room show in a lifetime, Miss Carter,” Ethan said with a slight, respectful nod. “I need people like you near me.”
Victoria looked as if she had been slapped herself. “Ethan, this is ridiculous! You’re humiliating me over a waitress and an old hag!”
Ethan turned to Victoria, his expression utterly merciless.
“No, Victoria. You humiliated yourself,” Ethan said coldly. “Effective immediately, Vance Global is pulling all funding from the Langford Harbor Project. My legal team will be terminating our joint ventures by midnight.”
Victoria gasped, taking a step back as if hit by a physical force. “You can’t do that! That project is worth hundreds of millions!”
“Watch me,” Ethan replied smoothly. He then signaled his personal security detail. “Escort Miss Langford out of the building. She is banned from all Vance properties indefinitely.”
Two burly guards stepped forward, politely but firmly taking Victoria by the arms.
“Let go of me! Do you know who I am?!” Victoria shrieked, her regal composure completely collapsing into ugly desperation as she was dragged toward the exit. “Ethan! You’ll regret this! Emma Carter, I will ruin you! Do you hear me?! I will ruin you!”
Her frantic screams faded as the heavy oak doors of the ballroom slammed shut behind her.
The room remained in a stunned hush until Ethan turned back to Mrs. Reed and Emma. He offered Emma a genuine, warm smile.
“Miss Carter, why don’t we get Mrs. Reed somewhere quiet and comfortable? I believe we have a lot to talk about—and your new job begins right now.”
Emma looked down at Mrs. Reed, who was reaching up to squeeze her hand with tearful gratitude, and then back at Ethan. For the first time in months, the crushing weight on Emma’s shoulders lifted, replaced by a sudden, brilliant ray of hope.
“I would like that very much, Mr. Vance,” Emma said, holding her head high as she pushed the wheelchair forward, leaving the stunned crowd behind.
