As Emilia occupied herself with her new academic pursuit which was increasingly more rigorous and demanding, she stopped consulting Earthly.
Emilia found solace in maintaining a close connection with Grace, a kindred spirit who empathised with her frustrations.
Grace became Emilia's first true friend since school, providing her with safe space and support.
Meanwhile, Christopher had remained steadfast in his resolve to abstain from alcohol. Weeks have passed since he last indulged. The memory of his embarrassing display, puking in front of Emilia, haunted him incessantly, reinforcing his determination to steer clear of liquor.
It was yet another event that he detested, but he was reluctantly drawn knowing that Earthly was on the invite list. Deep within, he held a fervent hope that he might catch a glimpse of Emilia.
Four months into their marriage and Christopher still grappled with comprehending the true nature of their relationship. Its contours and boundaries eluded him, leaving him in a state of perpetual uncertainty.
As he walked through the room, his eyes scanned the crowd in search of the familiar presence, but alas, there was no trace of her golden locks or her vibrant smile.
Suppressing his disappointment, he approached a group of businessmen engaged in conversation.
"Good evening, Mr. Hayden," Jacob warmly greeted Christopher, his friendly manner must've been what captivated Emilia.
"Good evening, Mr Bleam." Christopher answered coldly, his gaze still searching for Emilia but to no avail. Unable to contain his curiosity, he posed a direct question, "Is Emilia attending with you tonight?"
Jacob's smile wavered slightly as he delivered the unexpected news, "Miss Vincent? Oh no, she's far too busy. I regret to inform you that she is no longer consulting us at Earthly. However, she did initiate a remarkable new venture for both myself and my company." Christopher furrowed his brow, attempting to discern the reason behind Emilia's departure from Earthly and her association with Jacob.
"Miss Vincent has other priorities at the moment. Our collaboration was solely on a consultancy basis, although I remain hopeful for a future partnership," Jacob explained, his words tinged with a hint of longing. Christopher pressed further, his voice laced with a mix of intrigue and concern, "And privately?"
Caught off guard, Jacob sputtered and nearly choked on the champagne he was sipping. Christopher's question was the last thing he expected. Regaining his composure, Jacob replied honestly, "Privately? Nothing as of yet, Mr Hayden. I had one dinner with Emilia, which she quickly redirected toward work. It seems she isn't particularly interested in me." The frankness of Jacob's admission surprised them both. "I can only remain hopeful."
"Not even after the conference?" Christopher inquired, hoping to glean some insight into Emilia's feelings. Jacob shook his head, disappointment etched across his face. "She seems far more drawn to my sister, Grace, than to my own company. Since the conference, they've started frequenting tea rooms together, often excluding me. As I mentioned, my relationship with Miss Vincent is strictly professional, and my aspirations for something more have been thoroughly crushed." Jacob looked at Christopher with suspicion, his curiosity piqued. "May I ask what has sparked your sudden interest?"
"Nothing besides curiosity."
"If you're ever interested in Miss Vincent, I shall warn you, she's as guarded as a person can get. She is incredibly private and it is near impossible to learn anything of her. Like, yes, I know of her career and publications and research, but I do not know anything of her personal life. I do not know if she has siblings, or how well her parents fare, or what is her favourite colour. It was impossible for me to cross that line."
Christopher, realising the truth in Jacob's words, furrowed his brow. Indeed, he knew her CV and professional accomplishments, but he had little knowledge of her personal life. "Thank you for the warning, Mr. Bleam," he acknowledged, the understanding of Emilia's guarded nature sinking in. It left Christopher yearning to uncover the layers that lay beneath the surface.
Dishearten to learn that Emilia wasn't coming, Christopher left the event as early as he could.
As he returned to the quiet manor, enveloped in darkness, he paid little attention to his surroundings and proceeded directly to his study. A pile of mail awaited him, but one particular envelope caught his eye. He felt his chest tighten as he ripped it open.
Someone was trying to play games with him by threatening him and his family if he were not to comply with their demands. But he had no family to worry about.
It was not uncommon for a public figure as himself to have active haters. It didn't make it any less unsettling as the threats became more gore and bloodthirsty. It didn't bother him enough to start leaving in an armoured room, but it was enough for him to look for a detective who might be able to locate the person behind the menacing messages.