That heart-stopping confrontation in the parking lot happened exactly half a year ago.

Half a year is enough time for many things to settle. Jack and Chloe's case became a moderately notable social news story in New York City. The court finally ruled that Jack would serve twenty years in prison for multiple charges including attempted kidnapping, illegal possession of weapons, and extortion; Chloe, as an accomplice, was sentenced to fifteen years.


On the day of the sentencing, I was in my office, watching the news through a live television broadcast. When the judge struck the gavel, when the camera showed their two faces filled with despair and numbness, I simply picked up the remote control and calmly turned off the TV.

Their lives would slowly rot away behind high walls, while mine was just rising like the sun in the east.

During these six months, "Vision Capital" under my leadership became the brightest star on Wall Street. The startups we invested in all achieved phenomenal success, and the company's assets grew fivefold. Those veterans like Frank now completely respect me and follow my instructions.


But these are not my proudest achievements.

What I am most proud of is that the "Phoenix Women's Protection Foundation," which I initiated in my personal capacity, is officially established today.


The foundation's office is not located in a skyscraper in Manhattan, but in a quiet community in Brooklyn. Here, we will provide free legal aid, psychological counseling, and vocational skills training for women who, like me, have experienced marital betrayal, domestic violence, and workplace discrimination.

I don't want to be that queen who is high above others and enjoys the fruits of victory alone. What I want to be is someone who can light a lamp for other women in darkness.

The inauguration ceremony was simple yet warm. Not many celebrities were invited; most attendees were foundation staff, volunteers, and the first batch of women who received our help.

One of them, a single mother named Sarah, won her divorce case with our help, secured custody of her child, and found a job as a software engineer through our vocational training. Standing on stage, she shared her story, becoming too emotional to speak at the touching parts.

"...It was Miss Emily and the foundation who showed me that even if the whole world abandons us, we cannot abandon ourselves. It was they who helped me find the courage and dignity to live again." She bowed deeply to me.

From below the stage came warm and enthusiastic applause.

I walked onto the stage and took the microphone. I hadn't prepared a speech, I just looked at all the sincere faces below and said what I wanted to say most.

"Many people ask me why I created this foundation. Today, I want to share the answer with all of you." I paused for a moment, my gaze sweeping across the audience, "Because I am one of you. I have experienced everything that you are currently going through or have gone through. I once thought my world had collapsed, I once thought I would never be happy again. But today, I stand here, and I want to tell you through my own story—we cannot choose what happens to us, but we can always choose what kind of person we become."

"Never give the power to define yourself to anyone who has hurt you. Your worth is not determined by marriage, not by men, but only by yourselves. Remember, every phoenix that rises from the flames will be reborn more radiant than ever before."

By the time the ceremony ended, it was already dusk. As the guests gradually dispersed, Liam had been quietly waiting on the side.

"Today, you look more beautiful than ever," he came over and gently fixed my hair that had been tousled by the wind.

"Let's go home," I said with a smile.

"No," he shook his head, winking mysteriously, "before going home, we'll go somewhere first."

I was a bit confused, but still got into his car. The car didn't drive towards my apartment, nor towards his villa, but stopped in the downtown area, beneath that skyscraper I knew all too well.

He held my hand as we walked into the building. Taking the private elevator, we arrived at the top floor—Liam's law firm.

The moment the elevator doors opened, I froze.

The office that was once filled with calmness and rationality, decorated in black, white, and gray tones, was now transformed into a dreamlike scene with countless fresh flowers and flickering candlelight. Outside the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows was New York's dazzling sea of lights; inside, an ocean of candles softer than starlight. The air was filled with the fragrance of roses and the melodious sound of violin.

"Liam, this is..." I was too surprised to speak.

Liam led me by the hand to the center of the office. He turned around to face me, his eyes showing a depth of emotion I had never seen before—tender yet tinged with nervousness.

Then, he got down on one knee.

My breathing stopped in that instant.

From his pocket, he took out a velvet box and opened it. Inside lay a ring. It wasn't an enormous diamond the size of a pigeon's egg, but rather a brilliant yellow diamond of extremely high clarity and perfect cut, like a captured, concentrated sun. Its radiance was warm and bright, yet without any aggression—just like my feelings at this moment.

"Emily Winston," Liam looked up at me, his voice trembling slightly with excitement, "Once, I thought my job was to win the best interests for my clients. Until I met you, I realized that the most important case I want to win in my life is your heart."

"You are the bravest and wisest woman I have ever met. You've carved your own path and built yourself a kingdom. You don't need a prince to rescue you, because you yourself are an irreplaceable queen."

"However," he paused, his eyes filled with sincerity, "even a queen needs a knight who is eternally loyal to her, who guards her realm. Emily, would you... allow me to be your knight, to accompany you, to protect you, for all eternity?"

Tears had already blurred my vision. I looked at the man before me, the one who appeared when I was at my lowest, who accompanied me through all storms, who witnessed me rebuild my entire life from the ruins.

With tears in my eyes, using all my strength, I nodded, and then, smiling, extended my left hand to him.

Liam, overjoyed, gently and reverently placed that warm ring on my ring finger. The size was neither too big nor too small, but just right.

He stood up and embraced me tightly. I leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and strong heartbeat, feeling the incredibly reassuring warmth radiating from his body.

Looking at the diamond on my ring finger that felt warmer than the sun, feeling his powerful embrace, I knew that all the hardships, betrayals, and tears I had experienced had become the most solid stairway leading to happiness in this moment.

Goodbye, past.

Hello, future.