Chapter 277 The Door She Opened

Chapter 277: Chapter 277 The Door She Opened

Emilia’s POV

Genevieve smiled at me, while I stood there practically holding my breath, waiting for her to deny it. Instead, she gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"Yes."

"But how?" The word rushed out of me. "That night on the beach, you were dressed like a rogue. No pack, no name, nothing. And now you’re standing here as one of the most powerful women in the room. How does that even work?"

"Didn’t fate promise you that as long as you kept breathing, you could turn your whole life around?" Her eyes glinted with quiet amusement. "I simply made that prediction come true for myself."

"Please don’t tease me. I need to understand what actually happened."

Sebastian had called her his mentor, someone he’d trusted for years. I couldn’t reconcile that with the woman who had supposedly been a wandering rogue only a few months ago.

"The truth is, fate brought us together," she said. "That night, I was sitting with a friend at a little café by the water. Then I saw you walking through the rain, looking like you’d already given up. I recognized that look at once. It’s the look of someone ready to let go of everything. So I traded my coat for a rogue’s tattered clothes and followed you to the shore. And I did what I always do. I pulled you back."

"What you always do?"

"Yes." She said it easily. "I’ve talked ninety-eight lost souls off the edge in my lifetime. You made ninety-nine."

Ninety-nine.

Eve stirred inside me, a low murmur of reverence. "She’s a pack elder."

That explained the silence that had fallen over the hall when she appeared, and the way the packs spoke her name with such respect. She wasn’t just a business titan. She sat on the Council of Elders, and she’d spent her long life helping people who had nowhere else to turn, no matter which pack they belonged to.

"Thank you," I said, and I meant it more than I’d meant anything in a long while.

"There’s no need. I heard you call me a rogue out in the hall earlier." She chuckled softly. "It startled me too, I’ll admit. But even if you hadn’t dropped that little bomb, I’d have found a way to speak with you privately tonight. I don’t forget the faces I pull out of the sea."

"I’m sorry about that. I was so shocked I couldn’t hold my tongue."

"Ha. It’s forgiven. Now, tell me. Why did you fight so hard to see me? You didn’t go to all that trouble just to say hello."

I glanced at her, at the slight fatigue in her face, and for half a second I nearly lost my nerve. But that wasn’t me. I straightened.

"You’re right. I didn’t come here for pleasantries. I came for business." I met her gaze directly.

"I run the marketing division at Simons Imperial. Your company is one of our biggest prospects, and I came tonight hoping to land a partnership. And honestly? I was selfish about it. I pushed to see you without stopping to consider that you’re genuinely unwell. For that, I apologize."

Genevieve raised a brow, clearly entertained. "Simons Imperial. You do realize Sebastian could simply pick up the phone and negotiate with me himself?"

"He could." I lifted my chin. "But I’m his wife. His Luna. And I just started at the company. I want to prove I can stand on my own and win this deal myself."

Something shifted in her expression. The amusement softened.

"That rainy night," she said quietly, "you stood in the surf with your heart in pieces, convinced you had nothing left to live for. And now here you are, hungry, ambitious, ready to build something with your own two hands."

She shook her head slowly. "That kind of determination means more to me than you know."

I held my breath, waiting.

"I’ll give you a chance." She reached into her clutch and pressed a business card into my palm. "Arrange the time. I’ll come to your company myself and see what you’ve built. Then we’ll talk terms."

My fingers curled around the card, and relief washed over me. But almost immediately the tiredness in her face caught my attention.

"You really don’t have to force yourself for my sake," I said. "If you’re not well, you could send someone in your place. I’d understand completely."

She laughed, bright and knowing. "Child, I got to where I am precisely because I handle the things that matter with my own hands. I’m only offering you a door. Whether you can charm me into actually signing that contract, well." Her eyes sparkled. "That depends entirely on how good you are. Think you’re up to it?"

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "You’ll have to work hard to get rid of me. This deal is mine."

By the time I stepped out of Genevieve’s private room, rain was already coming down outside.

Thunder sounded in the distance, and rain streaked the windows. The timing wasn’t lost on me. It had stormed the night I first met her on that beach, and now it was storming again.

The gala wasn’t officially over, but the hall had already thinned out. Everyone wanted to beat the downpour and the traffic home.

"Emilia! Emilia, how did it go?"

Lily came hurrying toward me, hands waving.

I pulled out the card and showed it to her. "Done."

"Oh my God." She grabbed me in a tight hug. "You actually got a private meeting with her? People have been trying to speak with that woman all night, and she wouldn’t give any of them the time of day. You’re a legend."

Scott had drifted over just in time to hear. He stared at the card, then let out a low, rueful laugh. "I came here specifically to pitch her, and I couldn’t even get in the door. Looks like this partnership is destined for Simons Imperial."

"Chin up," I told him sweetly. "There are plenty of other companies out there just dying for a handsome, persistent CEO to chase them. You’ll find the next one in no time."

He shot me a look, half exasperated, half amused, then shook his head and walked off toward his car.

"Where are the others?" I asked.

"Already gone. Trying to outrun the storm."

Just then Sebastian appeared at my side, his hand settling on my shoulder. "Come on. It’s about to pour."

I nodded and turned to wave at Lily. "I’m heading out."

"Wait." Lily caught my arm, then glanced up at Sebastian. "Any chance you could give me a lift?"

I paused. Scott had already gone, and Lily didn’t want to be left behind without a ride.

"Of course," I said.

Sebastian, reading the situation just as clearly, agreed without missing a beat.

Fynn was already behind the wheel when we reached the car. I slid into the back, Sebastian beside me, and Lily took the front seat next to Fynn.

Fynn had just reached for the ignition when a sharp knock came against the window on Sebastian’s side. He frowned and rolled it down, then went completely still.

Standing in the rain, brushing wet strands of hair from her face, was Abigail Tanner.

"Sebastian." Her voice was soft, almost pleading. "My car won’t start, and it’s really coming down. Could you please give me a ride?"

The rain was falling harder now, plastering her dress to her frame.

Sebastian’s eyes cut to me.

I turned my head and stared pointedly out the opposite window.

Sebastian let out a breath, then reached over and pushed the door open. "Get in."