Chapter 71: talk of the devil

As Emily left quickly to give Ethan a piece of her mind, Ethan, too, was on his way out of his study. It was one of those moments when their paths nearly collided, and Ethan couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Damn, talk of the devil."

The words escaped Ethan's lips unintentionally, but Emily's sharp ears caught them. Her face scrunched up in irritation as she shot Ethan a challenging look. "What did you say?" she demanded.

Ethan, realizing he needed to tread carefully, didn't want to provoke this fiery woman, especially when he was about to ask her for a favor. He quickly replied, "I was saying, what a coincidence, Mrs. Sterling," emphasizing her last name as if trying to make a point.

"Coincidence?" Emily retorted, her tone laced with skepticism.

Ethan tried to diffuse the tension. "Oh, I was coming to see you, but you brought yourself to me," he explained.

They entered his study room, and Ethan wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter. "You know, for the past few weeks, I haven't seen or talked to Mia. I'm sure she must be very angry with me," he admitted.

Emily's expression softened as she acknowledged the truth in his words. "Indeed, she has been asking about you," Emily replied, her voice filled with concern. "Her mood lately has been unpredictable, and that's actually what I was coming to discuss with you."

Ethan listened attentively as Emily continued, her frustration and worry evident in her voice. "What were you thinking? What could be so important that you can't find time to spend with your own daughter? I know you've been facing a lot of pressure, but you should at least see Mia once a day. Do you know how worried she's been?"

Ethan didn't interrupt her as she poured out her pent-up frustrations. He knew that Emily had likely been holding onto these feelings for a while. Instead, he let her vent, silently acknowledging her concerns.

When Emily finally paused, Ethan spoke with sincerity in his voice. "Emily, you're right, and I'm sorry," he admitted. "I've been trying to protect both of you from the chaos and danger surrounding our company, but I can't let that come between me and Mia. Family should always come first."

Emily nodded, appreciating his honesty and willingness to address the issue. "I understand the challenges you're facing, Ethan," she said softly. "But we need to find a way to balance it all. Mia needs her father,

Ethan reached out to hold Emily's hand, a grateful smile on his face. "You're absolutely right, Emily," he agreed. "Let's work together to ensure that Mia doesn't feel neglected, even during these challenging times."