Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1038

“Shelly?”

The name caught Emmy’s attention, her eyes narrowing for a split second. So this was the infamous mother-in-law she’d never met. Penny was calling her Shelly, not Mrs. Nelson, and the woman by Jared’s side these days was First Lady Cadence. That meant Shelly had been out of the picture for a while, divorced and cut off from the Nelson family’s inner circle.

With that realization, Emmy stepped out from behind Penny. She straightened her back, her gaze frosty, her voice even colder. “Shelly, since you’re not part of the Nelson family anymore, I don’t think you get to stand here and judge me. Please step aside.”

Shelly’s face twisted, her perfect makeup cracking under her fury. How dare this woman, who’d already “ruined” her son, talk back to her in public like this?

“Who do you think you are, talking to me like that?” Shelly snapped. She spun toward Wiona, barking, “What are you waiting for? You can’t handle one female bodyguard? Get Emmy out of here! Right now!”

Shelly’s panic was obvious. Ever since last night, when Tyler sent someone to spell everything out for her, she’d known just how high the stakes were. It felt like walking a tightrope. James was out for revenge, ready to take the entire Nelson Corporation down with him. Emmy was the wild card, the biggest threat. If Emmy got into that meeting room and sided with James, the brothers would be finished. Worse, they might both get kicked out of the company. All those years James spent building up Nelson Corporation would mean nothing. She couldn’t let that happen. No matter what, she wasn’t letting Emmy through that door. If she had to drag her out, so be it.

As soon as Shelly gave the order, a cold glint flashed in Wiona’s eyes. She was ready to step in.

Wiona froze, her pupils shrinking with shock. She stared at Emmy, disbelief all over her face. Emmy looked so fragile, with that sweet face and delicate figure, like someone meant to be cherished and protected. But now, she stood there holding a gun, completely calm, her eyes cold and unflinching.

Even Shelly was shaken. Her hand trembled as she pointed at Emmy. “Emmy, are you insane? You actually brought a gun here? Do you even realize carrying a firearm is a serious crime in this country? I could call the police and have you arrested right now!”

Emmy didn’t flinch. Instead, she smiled, lips curving up in a challenge. “Go ahead, Shelly. Call the police if you want. When the officers arrive, I bet half the people on this floor will end up being questioned. It’s the Nelson Corporation board meeting. You really think everyone in that room isn’t carrying something for protection? If you’re so desperate to stop me that you’d turn in the entire executive board, well, I have to say... that’s a kind of courage even I have to admire.”