Chapter 6 - The Wedding That Was Never Supposed to Happen
The next two weeks changed everything.
Noel moved into the safehouse with Sadie and her father.
Emmet recovered.
The investigation grew larger.
They found financial accounts.
Secret properties.
Offshore companies.
Judges.
Corrupt officials.
And one name appeared again and again.
Richard Sartori.
Emmet's uncle.
Adrian was his son.
The dead man from Pier Nine had never acted alone.
Richard had been pulling strings for years.
The problem was that he still controlled half the family.
"We need evidence," Emmet said.
They were in his office.
Noel sat opposite him.
Her father stood near the window.
"We have enough," she said.
"Not enough to make them all turn on him."
"Then what do we do?"
Emmet looked at Noel.
"Give them something bigger to fight over."
"What?"
"The company."
She frowned.
"You're selling it?"
"No."
"Then?"
"We announce a merger."
"With who?"
Emmet's mouth curved.
"You."
Noel stared.
"What?"
"You become the public face."
"Absolutely not."
"You know the records better than anyone."
"I'm your secretary."
"Not anymore."
He placed a folder in front of her.
PROMOTION: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
She stared.
"You've been planning this?"
"Three years."
"Three years?"
"I knew you'd be better at it than anyone else."
Her eyes softened.
"Then why did you make me think you hated me?"
"Because I wanted you alive."
She looked away.
"That excuse is getting old."
"I know."
He stepped closer.
"I have another one."
"What?"
"I was afraid."
"Of me?"
"Of what I'd become if anyone hurt you."
Noel said nothing.
Then he reached into his desk.
He pulled out a small velvet box.
Her heart stopped.
"Emmet."
"Before you say anything—"
He opened it.
Inside was a ring.
Simple.
Elegant.
Not extravagant.
"I am not asking you because of the investigation."
She stared at him.
"I am asking because when this is over, I want you beside me."
Her eyes filled.
"You don't even know what ordinary life with me looks like."
"I want to find out."
She laughed through tears.
"You're supposed to take me to dinner first."
"I can do that."
"Flowers."
"Done."
"An actual date."
"Terrifying."
She smiled.
"And no secrets."
He nodded.
"No secrets."
She took his hand.
"But not yet."
He frowned.
"Why?"
"Because I want you to choose me when there isn't a war happening."
He smiled.
"I already did."
That night, the family meeting took place.
Everyone gathered in the Sartori estate.
Richard arrived late.
He smiled when he saw Noel beside Emmet.
"So," he said, "the secretary finally became important."
Noel looked at him.
"Actually, she became inconvenient."
Emmet's eyes sharpened.
Richard laughed.
"Careful."
Luca handed Emmet a file.
"Everything is ready."
Emmet stood.
"I am announcing a restructuring."
Richard's smile faded.
"Sartori Holdings will transfer controlling authority to an independent board."
Gasps.
"And Noel Vance will be one of its directors."
Richard rose.
"Absolutely not."
Emmet looked at him.
"Then resign."
"You're destroying your family."
"No."
He paused.
"I'm saving it."
Richard's face hardened.
"You think you can walk away from what we built?"
"No."
Emmet stepped closer.
"I think you can."
Security moved in.
Richard pulled a gun.
Everything happened at once.
Noel screamed.
Emmet shoved her aside.
A shot rang out.
Richard dropped.
But he wasn't the only one.
Another gunman emerged behind Noel.
Her father fired.
The gunman fell.
Then sirens sounded outside.
Police entered.
Richard looked around.
"Who called them?"
Emmet smiled.
"I did."
Richard stared.
"You wouldn't."
"I already did."
He turned to Noel.
She held the original ledger.
Every page had been copied.
Every account had been delivered to investigators.
Richard realized he had lost.
As officers arrested him, Emmet walked to Noel.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
May you like
Then she hugged him.
For the first time, in front of everyone, she didn't care who was watching.
