Emily’s Dilemma: Seduced by Billionaire Brothers

A ghastly pall settled over the grand ballroom as the projector cast its unwelcome spectacle, the luminous screen demanding the attention of every glittering eye. The air that was once thick with jovial chatter and the sweet strains of violin and cello, had soured, the collective breath of the gathered guests seized by the unfolding drama on the projector screen.

Jackson and Emily in that enclosed space, his fingers tipping her chin while they shared a knowing look even though no one could hear what they were saying, it was a scandal. The murmur rose like a tempest swell as the crowd pieced together the story-the unflinching display of betrayal written in the bold font of live feed, broad for all to see.

Ethan stood, glaring at the screen as he felt all eyes on him. He couldn’t bear to look at his parents, his father especially, tutting his head in disappointment, what the hell was Jackson doing? The young boy was too much of a daredevil for him to comprehend. The room blurred in Ethan’s vision as he proceeded to walk out of the room to find them. His feet carried him forward, the shards of his shattered wine glass crunching beneath him.

On his way there, Anita suddenly appeared beside him. Her perfume filling his nose, which was supposed to be intoxicating was rather nauseating, but he was too blinded by anger to even acknowledge but yet she stuck to him. Her hands looping around his arms and her gown whispering against the marble as she intercepted him.

“Ethan” she cooed, sounding like sympathy but with a certain glint in her eye. She was enjoying this.

“Where do you think you’re going?” She asked him “To stop them? Don’t you see it? They deserve each other and you belong to me”

“Stay out of this Anita” Ethan thundered, the fury visible in his eyes, but Anita held still, unwavering.

“Don’t you see that’s he’s in love with her, and apparently she feels the same”

“She didn’t kiss him -” Ethan was going to say but he stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Anita now “Did you do this?” His voice was a razor’s edge, sharp and cold.

Her face registered a crafty innocence, eyes widening as she replied, “I would never… Ethan, how can you think that?”

“I wouldn’t put it past you, you kidnapped her on our wedding day” Ethan said angrily

“That was – it doesn’t matter anymore but I didn’t do anything now, I swear. Just come with me instead, let them have each other”

But Ethan, even in his tormented state, decided to ignore. This was not the time to banter with Anita. Even if she wasn’t behind this, she would keep him there to avoid him going up there. With a sharp turn, he brushed past her, his resolve steeling further as he ascended the staircase.

Reaching the door, Ethan’s composure gave way to pure, indiscriminate fury. Heart pounding, he threw his body against the unyielding wood, the door buckling and finally splintering open under the force of his rage. He stormed into the room, his vision a tunnel focused solely on the pair before him. Emily was standing away from Jackson, her face tainted with surprise as he suddenly broke into the room. Even better, at least she wouldn’t be in the way of beating the hell out Jackson. He went straight for Jackson, grabbing him by the collar, and punching him square in the face.

“You bastard!” Ethan yelled angrily, but Jackson’s slightly amused face sent him further into fury. Jackson smirked, quickly dodging another incoming blow and returning it back to Ethan, who staggered back in shock. He lifted his hands to touch his face, his cheek sore with pain.

“Ethan, stop! Please stop! You guys, please!” Emily’s voice was an anguished wail, barely heard over the clamor of colliding fists and shattering pride.

“What the hell is wrong with you Jackson? The whole party saw what was going on here” Ethan yelled

“What!” Emily and Jackson echoed in disbelief at the same time.

“What do you mean?” Jackson asked, suddenly looking around the room and his eyes saw the camera hidden in the corner, he was about to go for it when Ethan suddenly grabbed him again.

“Stay away from Emily! Don’t you get it!”

“I don’t take orders from you Ethan!” Jackson fired back struggling to be set free from Ethan’s grasp but in the heat of anger, Ethan pushed Jackson with untempered force, his brother’s back slamming against a vintage cupboard.

The wood groaned, a tired witness to a lineage’s disgrace, before succumbing to the weight and collapsing in splinters-onto Emily who stood unsuspecting, a frantic look in her eyes as she watched the brothers fight.

A sharp cry cut through the chaos-a single syllable of terror choked out by Emily before she crumpled to the floor, enveloped by darkness and silence.

Time seemed to stutter and stop, the remainders of the cupboard sheltering her still form on the cold marble floor.

The brothers suddenly fell apart, panting, the fight seeping out of them as they realized what had happened. Ethan was the first to recover, suddenly rushing over her to pull the wooden wreckage away, where Emily lay motionless, a pale hand spilling out from the ruin like an accusation.

Ethan tried to lift her up, his heart pounding relentlessly as fear gripped him, while Jackson motionlessly, the aftermath of shock still riding him that was unable to move.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

“Call for help,” Ethan choked out, his voice ragged, as he tried to stir Emily. “Now, Jackson, damn it!”

The shock that gripped Jackson released him enough for him to stagger back into the hallway, his hands running through his hair several times to ease the anxiety that gripped him. He ran out shouting frantically for assistance, his voice carrying down to the silenced ballroom below, while Ethan stayed with Emily, a trickle of blood running down her head.