Knots Between Us

Chapter Ten

Emma hunched over her laptop, eyes scanning the São Paulo presentation. The numbers were perfect—but she didn’t need perfect tonight. A sly smile tugged at her lips as an idea clicked.

Deleting a few correct calculations, she replaced them with deliberate errors. Small enough to seem plausible, but enough to bait Yang. Her pulse quickened; the plan was risky, but it had to work. She printed the slides, slid them into her portfolio, and clutched the USB with a mixture of dread and determination.

Taking a deep breath, she texted the team:

“Tonight. Eight PM. Yang’s. Be ready. Don’t tell anyone.”

Andrea replied almost immediately: “I trust you, Emma. I’ll be ready.” Rory and Connor followed with quick confirmations. Jake’s was a simple thumbs-up emoji, but Emma could feel the reassurance behind it.

Pocketing her phone, she collected the printed presentation and approached Yang’s office. She knocked lightly, then pushed the door open when she heard him.

“Hi, sir,” she said, keeping her voice steady. Yang looked up, giving her a warm, practiced smile.

“Ms. Rhodes, come in, come in,” he said, closing his folder.

“I—I thought you might look over my São Paulo presentation,” she began, extending the portfolio. “There’s a calculation I can’t reconcile, and you know Mr. Rask—he loves finding mistakes, even where there aren’t any.”

Yang accepted the file, flipping through it with a smile. “This is very good, Ms. Rhodes, but some of these figures aren’t adding up,” he said casually.

Emma moved to stand beside him, feigning curiosity. “Which ones?”

He leaned back in his chair, eyes still on the pages. “Tell you what—why don’t you come over after work? We’ll go through it then.” His words were smooth, casual… and deadly.

“I couldn’t. I don’t want to take you from your family,” she replied, voice careful.

“My family’s visiting in-laws in Texas. We’ll be alone,” he said with a smile. “I’m free anytime after eight.”

Emma’s heartbeat thudded. “I have a meeting, but I should be done by then. Eight works.”

“You’re a lifesaver,” he said.

She gathered her things and left, hands trembling slightly. Back at her desk, she opened her bag and retrieved her phone, sending one last confirmation to the team:

“It’s happening tonight. Everyone knows their role. Be ready.”

A knock at her desk drew her gaze to the building security guard, holding a USB.

“I’m looking for Mr. Rask. He asked me to bring this up,” he said.

Glancing through the window, she saw Sebastian on the phone, busy with work. “He looks busy, but I can deliver it—I'm his intern,” she offered. The guard nodded, giving the USB to her with a hopeful look. “Please don’t forget,” he added.

Emma tucked it away and returned to work. She began sketching designs, revising slides, and perfecting details, immersing herself completely. Hours passed unnoticed. She didn’t see Sebastian approach until his voice made her jump.

“I thought it looked good,” he said.

Emma flinched, straightening. “Sorry… did you need something?”

“No. I’m done for the day. You can leave if you like.”

Her watch read 6:30. “Really?”

“Yes. Unless you want more to do,” he said, eyebrow raised.

“No, sir. I’m good,” she said quickly, gathering her things. She snatched the USB from the desk, lightly knocked on Sebastian’s office door, and placed it on his blotter.

“The security dropped this off for you,” she said, then hurried out.

Sebastian watched her cross to the elevators, a pang of unease flickering across his face. Emma’s plan was in motion—and once tonight ended, Yang wouldn’t know what hit him.

The mansion loomed ahead, spotlights illuminating its grandiose facade. Emma adjusted the plunging V-neck dress she’d borrowed from Andrea, tugged down the mesh side cutouts, and pulled the faux-fur blazer over her shoulders. She smoothed her skirt one last time. Her heart raced; this was far outside her comfort zone.

“Are you sure about this?” Connor whispered, tension threading his voice.

Emma nodded faintly. “We’ve come too far to stop now.” Andrea squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you, Emma. No one’s ever done this for me.”

Rory handed Emma the small collarbone necklace containing the hidden camera. Jake checked the mini-cam feed on his phone. Connor suggested a safe word; Jake rolled his eyes. The plan was ready.

Emma stepped out from behind the shrub and pressed the intercom.

“Come on in, Ms. Rhodes,” Yang’s voice purred. The gates creaked open. She walked the stone path, hand hovering over the doorbell, and rapped on the mahogany door.

Yang answered in a robe, glass of amber liquid in hand, smile sleazy and wide. “I was starting to think you changed your mind. Come in.”

The interior was breathtaking—high ceilings, marble, a roaring fireplace—but Emma’s pulse didn’t slow. She set her portfolio on the coffee table, trying to keep her voice steady.

“You have a beautiful home, Mr. Yang,” she said.

“My wife did most of the decorating,” he replied, placing a hand on her back. Emma stiffened. He poured drinks and handed her one; she accepted, hands steady despite the tremor in her pulse.

“Sit,” he said, patting the sofa. She lowered herself to the edge, eyes fixed on the folder.

Yang leaned closer. “You’re very beautiful, Emma… and very—stupid.”

Emma rose sharply. “I’m here for the presentation, Mr. Yang. Let’s keep this professional.”

He laughed cruelly. “These small-town girls will do anything to get ahead.”

Suddenly, Laine’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension:

“Yeah! Hillbilly sluts, I bet they’d spread their legs for anything!”

Emma froze, stomach dropping. Faces began filtering in, friends of Yang’s, all witnesses. She backed up, heart hammering, until she collided with someone. She turned and saw Sebastian, eyes hard and protective.

Before she could speak, he draped his jacket over her shoulders. He raised a hand and dialed. “Detective Bryant, please. We need you at Tom Yang’s residence.”

Emma whispered his name, but he didn’t meet her eyes. He moved between her and Yang as Jake, Connor, Rory, and Andrea stormed in, rushing to her side. Andrea clung to her, murmuring apologies.

Yang cursed, repeating Laine’s words in fury. Sebastian snapped, glaring at Laine: “Watch your mouth.” She looked down, embarrassed.

Rory took the USB Sebastian held and fed it into the entertainment system. Footage began to play: Andrea walking, Yang grabbing her from behind, a hard backhand when she resisted, dragging her by the hair. Gasps swept the room.

Sebastian turned to Detective Bryant. “Tom Yang, you are under arrest for r**e and aggravated assault.”

Yang lunged at Emma; Sebastian stepped in front of her. Emma clung to his shirt as the police tackled Yang, cuffed him, and dragged him out screaming.

Emma sank onto the sofa, trembling. Relief, disbelief, and triumph surged together. Justice had been served—and Sebastian had believed Andrea from the start.