After she left, Arthur turned on Michael. «Aren’t you working with Emily? You’re the company president! What are you doing here?»

«I haven’t told her who I am yet.»

«What? She hates rich people! If she finds out, a great-granddaughter-in-law like her will be gone! You can’t lie to her!»

«Actually, Maya is my biological daughter.»

«What? You mean that little girl is my great-granddaughter?»

«Yes. So grandpa, if you blow my cover, I’ll lose a daughter.»

«Alright. Tonight, you bring that little girl over to my place, and you two can bond at home.»

The next day at work, Linda was making Emily’s life miserable. «I came to this company as a designer, not to run your errands,» Emily said, refusing to make copies for her.

«I’m your team leader. Don’t forget, you’re still an intern. What if I don’t let you pass?»

Wu Hao called Linda. «Why is she still with Michael Sterling? Seven years have passed, she deserves her freedom now, right?»

«Let me tell you,» Linda hissed. «Michael Sterling is the CEO of Sterling Group. Do you have any idea what happens if he’s with Emily? She can’t know. Are you sure she doesn’t?»

«Why would she still be working here if she did?»

«Okay. I’ll give you two million to get Emily Lin away from him. Got it?»

«Really? One million up front, the rest after it’s done.»

At the design department meeting, a new project was announced. «We need to secure a partnership with a master of traditional painting, Hong Wei,» the supervisor said.

«Supervisor,» Linda said, «I have lots of traditional paintings at home. I think I should go.»

«My family has traditional paintings too,» Emily said quietly. «They’re heirlooms. Worth a fortune.»

«Boss, since she’s so insistent, why don’t we let her go?» Linda sneered. «But first, maybe we should visit her house to see if she really has these paintings.»

Emily’s heart pounded. She discreetly texted her kids. Hey darlings. Some people from work are coming to see the paintings at our house later. We don’t have any. If I knock or if they get the wrong door, don’t make a sound and don’t open the door, okay?

Got it, mommy, Maya texted back.

The boys sprang into action. «Hello, Level One Security,» Leo said into a burner phone. «Quickly send over dozens of Chinese paintings to this address. And these things aren’t that precious. Hurry up and send them to my daughter-in-law.» It was a recording of Arthur’s voice. «Oh, and don’t forget the fridge. The big abalone, the ice lotus, the Australian beef. Put them in my granddaughter-in-law’s fridge. Got it?»

By the time Emily arrived with her coworkers, the modest apartment had been transformed. The walls were adorned with priceless art. The fridge was stocked with gourmet food.

«Wow, an original Subei Hong! An original Tang Bohu! Isn’t this the work of Master Hong?» the supervisor gasped.

«What happened? How is the house like this?» Emily whispered to the kids.

«Great-grandpa sent all of this,» Maya said loudly. «Great-grandpa from the Sterling family.»

«Isn’t grandpa a butler?» Emily hissed.

«Yeah, Mom, don’t worry about it. Great-grandpa said there’s plenty at home. Once this is over, we should pay him a nice visit.»

That night, a top chef from the city’s finest restaurant arrived to cook dinner for them. Linda, forced to stay, could only watch in fuming silence as everyone enjoyed a meal she could barely afford.

The next day, Emily went to Arthur’s residence—the Sterling mansion—to discuss the collaboration.

«My employer is away, so I brought the kids to see Grandpa,» she explained to the gate guard.

«Grandpa,» Maya whispered to Arthur inside. «Emily’s here. I told her you’re the manager of the Sterling family. Don’t let it slip.»

«Oh, you mean that Mr. Hong, the Chinese painting master?» Arthur said when Emily asked. «He’s away on a business trip. Retired, you know. But he’s got to make money. But don’t you worry. I’ve known Mr. Hong for decades. I’ll take care of this for you.»

He made a phone call. «Hey, Hong. Everything going smoothly? My granddaughter-in-law needs a favor. Help her out, will you?»

The deal was secured. Back at the office, Linda was furious. She followed Arthur as he was leaving the Sterling building later that day, carrying a container of food.

«You again, you old coot,» she sneered, knocking the container from his hands. «Someone like you thinks you can be with Michael? That’s just wishful thinking.»

«What did you say?» Emily said, appearing behind her.

«Lin Xiao Wei, it’s you again. How could you harm an elder? It’s all your fault Michael won’t see me! You know, back then, I should have let you and your four kids die together.»

«What did you say?» Emily’s blood ran cold.

Linda laughed maniacally. «You know something, don’t you? Tell me!»

«Impossible, that was just a dream,» Emily murmured. «Could it be real?»

«Leave Sterling Group immediately or face the consequences,» Linda threatened.

Just then, Michael arrived. «Stop.»

«Michael, you finally showed up!» Linda cried. «This old man and Emily, they’re really close! Maybe she has a thing for older guys.»

Michael slapped her. «I don’t hit women. But you’re an exception.» He looked at Arthur. «Grandpa, are you okay?»

«Welcome, Chairman,» a group of executives said, walking past. They all bowed to Arthur.

Emily stared. «And you are?»

«Sorry I didn’t mean to deceive you,» Arthur said. «Actually, I’m the Chairman of Sterling Group’s board. And this,» he said, gesturing to Michael, «is the President, my grandson, Michael Sterling.»

«And I’m not his cousin,» Susan said, appearing at Michael’s side. «I’m his executive assistant.»

«So,» Michael said, turning to Linda. «What is the relationship between me and my grandson, if you don’t understand family relations? My daughter knew our family tree when she was three. Here’s two bucks. Go ride the kiddie horse at the mall. You can ride it twice.»

He picked up a piece of food from the spilled container on the floor. «Earlier, you insisted my grandfather eat garbage off the floor, right? Listen up, everyone. When she has cleaned up all the garbage from this floor with her mouth, only then can she leave.»

«Grandpa, no, we have a bond, remember?» Linda pleaded.

«Linda,» Michael’s voice was low and deadly. «Seven years ago at the Greenfield Hotel. You drugged me. It was you.»

«I… I feel guilty about that…»

«I found out that it wasn’t you I was with that night. I gave you money just to send you away. I didn’t expect you to be so greedy.»

«Seven years ago… what a coincidence, all at the Greenfield Hotel,» Emily thought.

«Can you give me another chance?» Linda begged.

«Eat it yourself,» Michael commanded. And under the watch of security, she did.

That night, the atmosphere at the mansion was tense. «Dad, your face is as pale as this mashed potatoes,» Maya observed.

«Great-grandpa, do you have a plan?» Leo asked Arthur.

«It’s up to great-grandpa to step in,» Arthur declared. He feigned a heart attack. «Grandpa, are you okay? What’s wrong?» Emily cried.

«I’m not going back to that apartment,» she said. «I’ll sleep here tonight.»

«So you’ll sleep in the same bed?» Arthur asked hopefully.

«Uh, okay, okay,» she relented, just to calm him down.

Later, Arthur handed Michael a glass of warm milk. «Take this to your mom. It’s bedtime milk.»

«Grandpa, is that milk really okay?» Leo asked suspiciously.

«Don’t worry, it’s fine,» Arthur chuckled. «In a few months, you might have a little brother or sister.»

In the bedroom, Emily was furious. «We only have a marriage of convenience. Did you ever really care about me? Or was it just to complete a task for your grandfather?»

«I never used you,» Michael said softly. «Emily, do you remember Linda mentioning the Greenfield Hotel today? The first time I met you, I guessed your identity. Seven years ago, the person with me… it was you.» He held up the other half of the locket. Her locket.

Her eyes widened. «Isn’t this my locket?» The room suddenly felt intensely hot. The milk. «It’s so hot,» she murmured.

«Emily, it’s burning,» he said, his voice husky. He moved closer. «You smell so good.»

«Seven years ago, you wronged me,» she whispered as he kissed her. «This time, we’re even.»

The next morning, Emily woke up alone. He’s still as timid as seven years ago. Running off after we slept together.

Downstairs, the kids were playing. «Come on, let’s go have fun over there. Leave Mom to me,» Jake’s mother, Sarah, said, leading Maya away from the others.

«Grandma, I missed you,» Maya said.

«Grandma’s chest hurts. Can you help me to the pharmacy up ahead?» Sarah asked. A van screeched to a halt beside them. Maya was pulled inside.

«What’s wrong? Daddy, Mommy, Maya seems to be missing!» Leo shouted.

«What?» Michael and Emily ran outside.

«Secretary Su, call everyone. Maya’s been kidnapped. Search everywhere.»

«Damn it, they dared to take my sister,» Noah growled.

«Help us, brothers!» Ben said, already hacking into the city’s traffic camera system on a tablet. «They’re headed for the I-95 overpass.»

A high-speed chase ensued down the freeway. The van, driven by Jake, swerved recklessly. Inside, Linda held a terrified Maya. The boys, in a town car with Susan, were close behind, with Ben calling out directions.

«Speed up! Charge!» Noah yelled.

«That’s not a great idea!» Ben countered, directing Susan to a shortcut.

They cornered the van on an overpass. «Don’t come any closer!» Jake yelled, holding Maya.

«Release her!» Emily screamed.

«You want her? Sure. Give me a million in cash and a car. I’ll release her once I’m safe.»

«Daddy, there’s someone else inside!» Leo pointed. It was Linda.

«You planned this!» Michael roared.

«You can’t blame me! Blame your grandpa! If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been disqualified as an international designer!» Linda shrieked.

«What do you mean?» Emily asked.

«Her award was fake to begin with,» Michael said. «Grandpa exposed the truth.»

«It’s all because of you, Emily! Seven years ago, I should have killed you both!»

«Seven years ago?» Emily stared at Jake. «You knew them seven years ago?»

«Of course, we knew each other,» Linda laughed. «If it wasn’t for my two million, do you think he would have ever brought you back from that hotel?»

«You mean you took Linda’s two million seven years ago?» Emily asked Jake, horrified.

«Let’s start the feast!» Linda cackled. «Give me enough money, and I’ll release her.»

«Jake, take my place,» Michael said. «Let my daughter go.»

«Alright, then come here,» Jake said.

«No way!» Emily cried. «No one can take Maya away from me!»

«Let me tell you the truth,» Linda sneered. «Seven years ago at the Greenfield Hotel, I drugged Michael’s drink. You accidentally went into the wrong room and slept with him. Afterward, I found Jake. I gave him two million and told him to watch you. I didn’t expect you to get pregnant with four kids!»

«Four kids?» Emily whispered.

«Yeah, you had four. But I paid to have the other three taken care of. I sent them for a long swim. I wonder if the crabs in the East River enjoyed their meal.»

«What do you mean?» Emily screamed.

«Michael Sterling, I hate you,» Linda spat. «Beg me. Beg me on your knees, and if I’m satisfied, I’ll let her go.»

«I’ll beg,» Michael said, taking a step forward.

«Don’t, Michael! Don’t! Even if you beg, she won’t spare me!» Emily cried.

As Michael started to kneel, a grappling hook shot out from a nearby rooftop, wrapping around Jake’s legs and hoisting him upside down. Maya fell safely into Emily’s arms. A figure in tactical gear rappelled down, disarming a stunned Linda in an instant. It was a grizzled old man with eyes as sharp as a hawk’s.

«Master!» the three boys cried out in unison.

«I was tracking your signals. I told you not to use the emergency beacon unless it was a real crisis,» the man said gruffly. «This woman is your mother. We must protect our own.» He nodded to Michael, then vanished back up the rope.

«Ling Lan, where are my other three kids?» Emily demanded.

«I’ll never tell you,» she hissed.

«Dad,» Leo said to Michael. «What do you mean?»

«Look at the four of us. Don’t we look alike? Now look at the three of us. We were found by the river and raised in an off-the-grid compound in the Adirondacks. A simple DNA test could solve this. I reasonably doubt how you managed to grow this company without figuring this out.»

«So, you guys came down the mountain to find me and Dad?» Emily asked, her heart soaring with a hope she hadn’t dared to feel.

«Mom, my brothers told me everything,» Maya said. «They were found by their teacher, a retired soldier, and he raised them. Then they came to find us.»

«Impossible,» Linda whispered. «They’re all dead. Did those two scam me?» she remembered paying two thugs. ‘Miss Ling, we threw all the kids into the river.’

«Save it for the police, Linda,» Michael said. «You still lost.»

A week later, Arthur Sterling looked at the four DNA reports, his eyes filled with tears. «Grandpa, this is the paternity test for the other three. All three are my great-grandsons. Your granddaughter-in-law is amazing! She had four kids!»

«I’m getting a headache,» he said, clutching his chest theatrically. «Oh dear.»

«Great-grandpa, take it easy,» Ben said calmly. «I know it’s hard to accept, but it’s true. You’ll have four heirs to share your estate.»

«Ben!» Emily scolded. «No respect!»

«Why’d you hit my great-grandson?» Arthur protested. «And you,» he said, pointing at Michael. «Aren’t you supposed to be at work? How will you support this family? Go on, hurry!»

«Honey, wait for me!» Emily called, running after him.

«Dad, you’re bullying the younger ones?» Maya asked Arthur.

«She’s my wife,» Michael said, putting an arm around Emily as they walked out the door.

«Aren’t you immature, getting jealous like a child?» Emily teased. He just smiled, pulling her closer, surrounded by their four children as they finally walked forward as one family.