Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1043

He wasn’t about to let Emmy off the hook that easily. A sly, chilling smile crept onto his face. “You know, there was a young woman back then who looked so much like you. Smart, too. She even gave us a bunch of… practical suggestions. For a second, I almost thought she was you.”

He was still threatening her, making it clear he hadn’t forgotten how she’d sat with them, plotting ways to get rid of James. If she dared to leak anything or pick the wrong side, it would be all too easy for him to pin the “murdering your husband” label on her.

Emmy just gave him a cold, half-hearted smile and didn’t bother replying. Martha, on the other hand, couldn’t keep quiet. She snapped her sandalwood fan open and shut, her tone sharp and mocking as she jumped in to defend Emmy. The two traded barbs in an instant, bickering like rival roosters before the real fight for Nelson Corporation had even begun.

Emmy kept her gaze low, thinking things through. If she needed a temporary ally in this mess, Martha, who wore her ambition openly and always looked out for her own interests, might just be the perfect shield.

Just then, a director seated beside Tyler cleared his throat, and the soft murmurs around the table faded away. He was one of Tyler’s closest people and the official moderator for today’s meeting.

“Everyone, time’s up. Let’s get started.”

The meeting kicked off in the most rigid, bureaucratic way possible. The biggest shareholders spoke first. Mr. Nelson, of course, jumped right in, giving a speech that sounded grand but was really just empty words. Then came Martha, making sure to hint at all she’d sacrificed for the company.

When it was Emmy’s turn, the moderator acted like she didn’t exist. His eyes slid right over her, even though she was sitting dead center.

“Next, Mr. Nelson will speak,” he announced, turning to Tyler.

Emmy arched a brow. They weren’t letting her speak? Fine. Less hassle for her.

“Hold on.”

A deep, icy voice broke in. James leaned back in his chair, eyes locked on the moderator. “Was there a mistake in the order? Why did you skip Mrs. Lincoln?”

The moderator froze, totally caught off guard. Sweat started to trickle down his temples as he stumbled for an excuse. “I… I was just trying to save time. I thought we could move faster to the main agenda so I skipped some parts that seemed less important.”

“Less important?” James repeated, rolling the words around in his mouth. A cold, mocking smile appeared. “You’re calling the statement of the person in the main seat, who holds the shares personally transferred by the late matriarch, unnecessary? Is it Mrs. Lincoln you don’t respect, or the late Mrs. Nelson herself?”