19 Bitter Realizations and Confrontations

19  Bitter Realizations and Confrontations Host Williams' lavish praise of Emma's business acumen and insights filled the air, his admiration evident. He reminisced about her contributions to various collaborations, expressing envy for Alex's fortune in having such a brilliant wife. Alex, engulfed in the escalating tension, listened as Williams lamented Emma's absence and mused about the potential business opportunities she could have explored with Wayne. Williams' obliviousness to the strained atmosphere only amplified the discomfort. Wayne seized the moment to reinforce his earlier point, his voice laced with mockery. "See, Alex? You owe much of your success to her." The crowd, now aware of the significance of Emma in Alex's professional life, began to disperse, leaving Alex to grapple with this revelation. As he prepared to leave, a memory of forcing Emma to attend a banquet flashed through his mind. She had concealed her discomfort, remaining by his side with a