Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 897

Emmy drifted along with the crowd, not even realizing when she’d slipped into the main exhibition hall. The second she stepped inside, a rush of cold air swept over her, chasing away the heat and the lingering salty smell clinging to her skin.

Outside felt like a tropical dream, but in here it was straight out of a cyberpunk fantasy. The entire dome overhead was made of transparent solar glass. Sunlight poured through, bright and dazzling, but not a trace of warmth reached the ground. Beneath her feet, the floor shimmered with shifting colors, reacting to every step. Each footfall sent virtual ripples across the surface, like walking on a digital pond.

Tiny drones, each no bigger than her palm, hovered above the crowd, casting holograms that danced in midair. Emmy couldn’t help but stare. She’d been to plenty of international expos before, but nothing had ever hit her like this. It wasn’t just the tech, though that was impressive. It was the sheer extravagance everywhere she looked.

Every robot on display was the real deal, not just some model or mockup. On her left, a surgical robot demonstrated its precision by stitching together the skin of a grape. On her right, a row of security robots stood at attention, their black metal bodies gleaming, hydraulic arms looking strong enough to bend steel.

How could an event like this be free to enter? There wasn’t even a proper security checkpoint. Just some kind of smart scanner that picked up dangerous items. Emmy patted her pocket, relief washing over her as she remembered she’d buried her dagger in the sand before coming to the island. If she hadn’t, she was certain it would’ve been found.

She was starting to feel the strain. The shell-covered outfit she wore dragged on her shoulders, making every step heavier. Eventually, she wandered over to a vending machine tucked away in a corner. After a long internal debate, she caved and spent two dollars on a chilled coconut.

She found the darkest, quietest spot she could and sank down against a metal wall, cradling the coconut in her hands. She took small, careful sips. The icy juice soothed her throat and took the edge off her restlessness, but her nerves stayed taut. Only her eyes showed from behind her mask, and she kept them locked on the steady stream of people passing by.

Every time someone in a black suit walked past, her whole body tensed. Dean’s shadow still hung over her, heavy and cold. Even now, even here, it felt like his net could drop out of nowhere and snare her all over again.

Suddenly, the faint sound of footsteps stopped close by. Tall, imposing shadows stretched across the wall, nearly swallowing her up where she crouched in the darkness. Emmy froze, barely daring to breathe. If she moved, even a little, the shells on her clothes would rattle and give her away. In a place like this, that sound would be a death sentence.

Luckily, the new arrivals didn’t seem to notice the dirty local kid huddled in the corner. Maybe they just assumed she wouldn’t understand their language. With their backs to her, they formed a tight circle.

“Everyone on the island?” one of them asked, his voice rough but speaking fluent Arabic.

Emmy’s eyes flickered. She understood every word.

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