Chapter 266: Of All The Men

Joy, happiness and love. Those were some of the things in life that Jane Molson wished that her daughter would find. For you see, Jane Molson had had love once. She’d had her Peter. And though the happily ever after had only lasted a few short years, before Peter had been taken away from her.

Those were some of the best years of Jane’s life, and she would not take them back no matter what. There was nothing to change in them. They had been virtually perfect. It might have ended in heartache. But the love that she, and her long gone husband had had for one another. Was not something that Jane Would ever want to live without experiencing.

Love.

That was what she wanted for Emily as well.

For her daughter to find somebody to love and cherish. Who in turn loved her back, just as fiercely. Someone who would look at her little girl like with her in the world, all problems were a little lighter. A little better. Like all days were good days so long as Emily was in them. That was what Jane wanted for Emily.

She would not lie.

For a few years she had been convinced that that would not be possible.

Her daughter was lovely, one of the best people Jane had had the privilege of knowing. But for some reason the rest of the world did not seem to think so. All of Emily’s relationships ending almost as soon as they had begun. Not a single boyfriend being willing to stick around.

The few that Jane had managed to run into after the relationship had ended not being too clear, on why exactly they had broken up with her daughter.

All of them being so vague that, whenever Jane had talked to them she had found herself being angry on behalf of her daughter. What did they mean? Emily was too secretive, too cold or building up walls around herself. Her daughter was the warmest loving person ever, and she was very welcoming.

Those young men just were not mature enough yet to realize what a great catch Jane’s daughter was. But somewhere out there, there was somebody who would know that her daughter was a gem at first glance, and all of those men who had walked out would regret not settling down with Emily. That had been the thought that Jane had comforted herself with.

When Emily had started showing signs that she was in a relationship. Constantly being out, and then being happy for absolutely no reason. Then coming home smelling of a man’s cologne. Jane had been ecstatic. By the time that Emily had confirmed the existence of her boyfriend.

Jane had wanted to break out in song and dance. But one thing had stopped her. Emily had acknowledged having a boyfriend, but she had not said anything else about him.

Not his name, not how he looked, not even what family he came from, and that had been a flaming red flag in Jane’s book. Who could her daughter possibly be dating who required such a level of secrecy?

But she had been determined not to pry.

So she had kept her mouth shut, and waited for Emily to come to her with the information.

But in the end, it seemed that Jane would not have to wait for her daughter at all. Jane had not meant to look into Emily’s stuff. In fact, she had been doing the exact opposite of prying. She had simply been minding her own business. Getting ready for work in the morning, when she had noticed the overnight bag that Emily mostly used when she went to see her secret man.

It was not unusual for Emily to leave the bag around the apartment.

But what was unusual was to have the bag be slightly opened. A rectangular object sticking out of it. Thinking that it was a book about to fall out. Jane moved forward and grabbed the little rectangle.

Pulling it out of the bag, so that she could place it properly back inside and zip up. In pulling out the object, Jane discovered that it was not a book as she had thought, but rather it was a puzzle. One disguised to look like a photo in a frame.

Staring at it, Jane did not comprehend at first. She saw the image, but her mind could not bring itself to believe it.

There was a single piece missing from the puzzle, but it was a corner piece.

All of the important bits were there. Jane stared at those important parts, unable to believe it.

Emily was in the picture, kissing a blushing young man’s cheek.

The two of them so very cute, and so very obviously a couple. It was very endearing, and would have awakened the urge to coo in almost anyone.

Had Jane not recognized the young man at first glance. She would have been smiling from ear to ear. Finally, she had a face to match to the man who made her daughter smile like she had found the secret to happiness.

But instead of joy. All that the older woman was feeling was dread.

"Emily, no

," Jane whispered. The awful feeling

building up from her stomach and threatening to close off her airway. Seeping into her bloodstream, and turning everything within her cold.

"No," Jane whispered again, putting the photo back with trembling hands.

Of all the people, for her daughter to go and develop feelings for. It had to be Derek Haven. And Jane was very sure that that was Derek Haven.

When her daughter had gotten the job at Haven Group. Jane had done her own little research on the company. Just to be sure that her child was in good hands. There had been no shortage of photos of the man online. She might never have personally met him, but she knew what Derek Haven looked like.

Derek Haven, who also happened to be her daughter’s boss. A boss that Emily was dating.

Feeling lightheaded all of a sudden Jane sat down.

Burying her head between her knees. She took deep breaths in and out as she tried to think.

Of all the foolish, stupid, dumb things to do. Her daughter was dating the boss and not just any boss, the CEO of Haven Group.

Jane had to put a stop to this and she had to put a stop to it fast.

She wanted her daughter to be happy, wanted her to find love.

So long as it was with anyone but Derek Haven. One did not date where they worked. There were so many chances for things to go wrong. And in the situation that Emily had gotten herself into. She was at a clear disadvantage. The man could ruin her. Her beautiful, bright, hardworking daughter could be torn down if things between her, and Derek did not work out.

Relationships like the one that Emily was in.

Where the power balance was so out of tune, rarely ever went well. There was just too much at stake. Emily was still clearly in the honeymoon phase. All of the red flags seeming like hearts to her.

But hopefully, she was not so deep into her feelings that she could not be reasoned with. Jane had to confront her.

To get her to realize just how much danger she was caught up in, with her relationship with Derek Haven.

It needed to end before things got out of hand. Jane would make sure that her daughter did not ruin her life over a man with too much power. If Emily refused to end things. Then Jane would have to find ways to break them up.

It would give her no joy being the bad guy. But for the sake of her daughter, she would gladly take up the villain role.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read