Emerson wasn't usually the cursing type but one left her mouth nonetheless.

"Merda" It was just a whisper as she turned to see who it was.

Behind her was standing none other than Michael Fort, with his cousin Heather, Carl and two other people she saw in office and one she didn't know.

To her utter surprise and amusement, Michael looked concerned for her.

"You are drinking and you look so pale, aren't you taking your care, you are thinner now." He continued in a worried tone.

The people she didn't know left the scene, probably for a drink, and Heather was glaring at her.

Adrien was watching the scene, his fists clenching. He wondered who the man was and why was he being so caring towards her.

Deep, very deep in his heart he feared maybe he will woo her away.

The others to were watching the scene, but looked like only Shan heard her curse.

Emerson was always innocent, polite and soft. But sometimes, her patience snapped and she acted out of way, pulling a facade.

Which she did then.

She feigned confusion.

"Sorry, do I know you? " She asked to Micheal.

His face burnt with embarrassment.

But he remembered well that Emerson would easily forget names and faces, but he was shocked seeing she forgot her ex fiance.

Emerson thought it was worth it. His face was hilarious to see. She could see from the corner of her eye Quinn and the twins trying to control their laughter.

He laughed, hiding his embarrassment.

"Oh god Emerson, you are still the same, forgetting people if you don't see them for a few months. It's me Micheal Fort."

He gave her one dazzling smile.

She faked a realising face.

"Oh, it's you." She said giving him a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes and was absolutely fake.

He then suddenly frowned.

But before he could say something, Heather spoke.

"Oh, hello Mr Stone, what a coincidence." She tried giving him a flirty smile but he just gave her a nod with blank look.

"Good evening sir." Carl spoke.

He got a nod in return.

Noah observed the exchange in amusement, and much to Adrien's bad luck, he loved getting on his nerves.

"Why don't you join us? The more the merrier. " Noah said happily.

Adrien gave him a glare and Emerson was trying hard not to glare at him. She officially disliked the man.

"Sure." Both Micheal and Heather chirped happily for obvious reasons.

"Hello Mr Stone, it's Micheal Fort. I heard a lot about you." Micheal said.

Adrien gave him a nod.

"Good things I hope." He asked in a cold tone.

Michael smiled at him.

"Who will dare to say bad things about you? " He asked, trying to butter him. Michael too was businessman after all, even if a small one.

Adrien's thoughts drifted to the day Rose visited them and insulted Adrien like he wasn't in the room.

He could feel the heat on his ear remembering how hard she twisted it.

He presses the thoughts at the back of his mind.

He gave Michael a blank look in reply.

Oliver butted in.

"I am going to the bar, what do you all want? " He asked them.

"Drinks on me." Noah said.

The twins, and Quinn cheered.

Every one ordered something like beer or mild cocktail.

It was Emerson's turn.

"Aunt Roberta." She ordered.

Noah started choking.

Every one was shocked, except Adrien who had seen her drink before like it's water.

"Damn girl, it's strong, strongest." Reed Carl said.

She shrugged.

"What about the cake? " Noah asked.

"Forget it." Em cut in.

Noah was about to protest when she again said,

"Forget it." Her tone was soft but stern.

He nodded.

"What the hell Emerson? When did you start drinking, you never drank? You shouldn't. Seeing you in a club is shocking itself." Michael practically hissed.

Still controlling idiot, I see.

Emerson shrugged instead.

Heather chuckled humourlessly.

"Were you always alcoholic? " She asked Em.

Emerson mentally rolled her eyes.

Adrien clenched his jaw.

"Were you always a bitch? " Olivia retorted instead of Em.

"Don't Olivia." Emerson said before it could escalate .

"How are you in London instead of NYC?" Michael asked, ignoring his fuming cousin.

"For school." She answered vaguely.

"What are you doing here? " She asked him.

"Business and to meet Heather. She is working at Stone Hotels." He bragged proudly.

Emerson bite inside of her cheek.

Adrien finally intervened.

"How does Ms Leone and Ms Griffin know each other? " He asked, his eyes darting between them.

Micheal was surprised seeing Adrien knowing Emerson.

"You know Emerson? " Noah asked in surprise .

Adrien nodded, not answering.

Noah raised questioning eyebrow.

"She is MD of our hotels." Carl spoke.

"What!" Every except Adrien, Emerson and Heather had a surprised look on their face.

"So you are famous American business man, Emerson is American, she is student, but she is MD. What the hell! That's confusing! " Olivia shrieked.

Oliver returned with the drinks meanwhile and passed everyone theirs.

Adrien ignored Olivia.

"Emerson was in NYU, she was in our internship program, that's how we know her. Now she is in Oxford for studies with working as MD for us since our original MD is hospitalised. Heather is assistant of one of our executives, I am Mr Stone's assistant. That's how we know each other. But how do you know Mr Fort Ms Leone? " Carl explained then asked.

Emerson shrugged.

"An old acquaintance." She said in a blank tone .

Michael clenched his jaw at her vague answer, he was angry she didn't cry seeing him, or acknowledged he was her fiance, even if ex.

Emerson was always someone who behaved like his shadow. She put him on a pedestal but now her behavior was polar opposite of the one who was his fiance.

She was sitting in a club, wearing short clothes, drinking aunt roberta.

Oliver whistled.

"Wow , kitten had hidden claws." He exclaimed.

Emerson laughed.

"You reminded me of a friend who called me kitten. And I definitely don't have claws." She said remembering Liam.

Adrien was surprised at her revelation.

"No you definitely have claws. You didn't tell us about your husband." Olivia exclaimed dramatically.

Heather, who was trying to flirt with Adrien , Noah and Quinn who were basically seducing each other, Shan who was enjoying the loud music, Adrien who was discreetly observing Emerson and things related to her, and Michael whose sole attention was on Emerson's new side, all the people mentioned above turned their attention to Emerson.

Emerson, Adrien and Shan froze.

Micheal and Heather fumed.

"What! Married? " He exclaimed, his anger on another level.

Emerson composed herself and gave him a blank look. She turned to Olivia with raised eyebrows.

Olivia rolled her eyes.

"Come on, your wedding band." She stated.

Emerson blinked once.

"Were you pregnant with a bastard that you had to marry someone? Shame on you Emerson, I hope the person you married wasn't some homeless with whom you hooked up." Heather sneered .

Adrien's face reddened in anger. Heather crossed a line.

Emerson looked completely relaxed on the other hand.

Taking a sip from her drink, she spoke.

"Last time I check, I was free to marry anyone I liked, wether he is some homeless druggie, or a rich billionaire. It doesn't concern you. Second , I wasn't the one who aborted at least three times and got diagnosed with STD of any type;" Her voice dropped an octave, " And third, it's none of your fucking business Ms Griffin." She spoke.

Everyone around her froze at her behavior, which was out of the character for her.

Heather had her jaw on floor, her face red with anger and embarrassment.

"You bitch! " She lunged at Emerson but both Emerson and Adrien was fast enough to stop her.

Adrien held her arm in tight grip, at the point of bruising while Emerson caught her fist in her hand and twisted it painfully, her eyes colder than ice.

Heather whimpered in pain and struggled in their grip.

Adrien leaned and whispered in her ear.

"Next time, be careful how you speak with my wife, and say bye to your job. I don't want maniacs in my company." No one except Heather heard him.

Emerson saw her face become pale.

She released her grip on Heather simultaneously with Adrien.

Two security guards dragged her out.

Every one was shocked by the events.

Michael being the snake he was, acted concerned.

"Baby are you ok? I didn't know she would do something so bad. I am so sorry." He touched her arm but she jerked back.

Adrien was more furious at the word Baby .

"Don't call me that." Emerson said , warning and coldness evident in her tone.

Michael tried to supress his anger.

Every one settled back.

"I am so sorry Emerson, I shouldn't have suggested to celebrate your birthday in a club. I didn't know this will happen." Olivia said in a low tone.

Emerson changed her seat to sit beside her.

"You didn't do anything wrong, it was her fault . Don't be sorry. " She said softly.

"That, was hot." Quinn said.

Everyone gave her look of disbelief.

"What? It was. She looked so badass. Our cute little innocent Emerson cursing and roasting her. Ah ha." She said dreamily.

Emerson laughed at her.

"It's your birthday? Happy birthday Ms Leone." Carl said.

Em thanked him.

" You should have told me earlier baby, I would have ordered a cake for you. Happy birthday." Michael said in a soft tone.

Adrien was on the verge of exploding.

"Can you stop calling me that. Didn't I tell you before? Stop .calling . me .that." Emerson said.

Adrien looked at Michael.

"Mr Fort, she is a married woman. Keep some decency. " He said finally, his eyes filled with anger.

Emerson was glad he meddled.

Michael clenched his jaw.

"You don't need to defend her. You don't know how much of a slut she is, being married when it's not been even a whole year to her last breakup . You are such an ungrateful bitch Emerson. I always knew you were a whore. I am happy I had Stephanie instead of you on our wedding day. At least she was a good fuck. No wonder every one,even your parents hate you. The funniest thing,they basically sold you to me, if we got married, they would have gotten some shares with me,luckily it didn't happen. They wouldn't have thought even if you were sold to a brothel. You good for nothing mistake. A big mistake! No wonder you were abused." Michael spat harshly, his good boy facade breaking completely.

Emerson froze, her body stilling at his words.

*******