Aaron proactively took Emma's small hand, then pulled out a business card imprinted with the Hellfire symbol. On the back of the card was the symbol of the Black Queen chess piece.
Winston took the card doubtfully, examined it closely, and froze on the spot as if struck by lightning. An unbelievable name flashed through his mind.
Aaron raised an eyebrow. "It seems you've heard this name."
Winston's attitude became much more reserved, even subservient, as he nodded.
He handed the card back with both hands. "So, Sir, you are a member of the Hellfire Club."
Seeing this, Adrienne and the middle-aged woman gaped. Winston, who was so high and mighty in their eyes, was actually acting so subservient.
Emma also widened her eyes. She looked at the calm and composed Aaron, then at the nervous and constrained Winston.
Then she looked at Aaron holding her hand. She couldn't help but feel secretly delighted.
Being valued so highly by such a noble gentleman gave Emma a strange feeling she had never experienced before.
Aaron got straight to the point. "Hellfire values Emma's potential and believes she has the ability to become a new member of the club. Therefore, we are taking her back to nurture her properly. Do you have any objections?"
It seemed like a question, but the attitude was clearly stated.
I am taking Emma away.
Winston was not angry at being ignored. Instead, he was overjoyed.
Although he didn't understand why the chosen one wasn't him or his other daughters, but the useless Emma, his least favorite, this didn't stop him from celebrating with champagne.
That was the Hellfire Club!
He had only casually heard about this club from a Boston mayor. Only the world's most elite magnates or powerful nobles were qualified to be invited.
What an honor that was!
"No problem, absolutely no problem."
"Emma, hurry up and thank Mr. Aaron. From now on, you will follow Mr. Aaron and listen to him well, understand?"
This time, Winston rarely refrained from scolding Emma, instead wearing a "kind and cordial" fatherly smile, seemingly discussing the matter with her.
If Emma entered Hellfire, even if she only became a maid, it would be enough for him to obtain many important pieces of information. If he learned just one or two secrets, it would be enough for him to advance his position.
After all, the chess piece on that business card was the Black Queen, representing one of the highest statuses in the Hellfire Club. Emma was about to take off. He, Winston, could also soar alongside her.
Perhaps, he might even have a chance to become a formal member and socialize with royalty, high officials, and nobles from various countries.
Emma nodded vaguely.
Noticing the envious, jealous, and hateful gazes of her sister Adrienne and her mother, Emma realized she had become the object of envy and even flattery.
Could a mere ugly duckling like her really have a day like this?
The life she lived before was one where she was neglected and unloved. Neither her parents nor her two sisters treated her like family, constantly scolding and hitting her.
She was always the target of bullying, ignored, mocked, and scorned.
But starting from this day, Emma suddenly felt that she might indeed be an ugly duckling, but one that was about to transform into a beautiful white swan.
Although Emma didn't understand many things, she knew one thing: all these changes were brought about by Aaron.
Her transformation from a minor character on the sidelines to the protagonist at the center stage was all because of Aaron.
As long as she could stay by Aaron's side forever, she would never be bullied again and would become the swan envied and flattered by everyone.
LEmma secretly made a huge decision.
Aaron declined the dinner invitation from Winston's family.
Under Adrienne's hateful gaze, where she wished she could take Emma's place, the flushed and slightly giddy Emma followed closely behind Aaron as they left.
Walking down the road, Aaron looked down at Emma as she was now. She currently lacked the proud and confident, queen-like appearance she would have a decade later.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Huh?"
Emma hurriedly looked up.
Looking into Aaron's deep eyes, Emma nervously shook her head, then nodded.
"Why... why did you choose me?"
"Adrienne is clearly more outstanding than me, and Cordelia is also better than me, while I'm just an ugly duckling..."
Emma mustered all her courage and asked timidly.
Aaron smiled slightly. "There is no why. I simply favor you."
Emma was a little confused.
"If you truly want a reason, it's because the future you is more beautiful, stronger, and smarter. I like that very much."
Emma nodded, half-understanding.
She barely grasped the meaning of the words, and although she was puzzled, she knew one thing.
Aaron only valued her and thought she was smart and beautiful.
No one had ever thought so before.
This gave the inwardly self-conscious Emma a special fondness for Aaron.
She had to work hard, she couldn't let Aaron down.
At least she couldn't disappoint him.
"Let's go. Don't think about those terrible things."
Aaron reached out and opened a spatial portal.
Under Emma's astonished gaze, he said calmly, "Starting today, you will exist in a different world from those people."
"Even if they strive their entire lives, they will never reach your starting point."
"So, hold your head high and proudly be yourself."
Emma unconsciously straightened her back, trying her best to show her most confident self.
Because this was Aaron's request!
No matter how scared or unconfident she was, she had to do it.
Emma nervously followed behind Aaron and stepped into the portal.
They arrived at the Hellfire Club in New York.
Amidst a chorus of flattering voices, Emma met the Black Queen Selene and Mystique Raven.
Selene wore a warm, friendly smile, while Raven harbored a slight hostility. Originally, she was the only follower by Aaron's side, but now Emma had arrived.
Moreover, Emma was confident and beautiful.
This was a strong rival!
"This is Emma Frost, the future White Queen."
Just like that, Aaron determined Emma's future.
Selene didn't have a single thought of questioning him and nodded in acceptance.
A core position, one of the original four high-ranking roles in Hellfire, sought after by countless people, was decided so casually.
Emma didn't know what this moment represented right now. When she was a little older, she would suddenly look back and realize how domineering and captivating Aaron was at this moment.
Selene pulled Aaron aside. "I have already contacted the other core members. They will arrive in New York tomorrow."
"My King... tomorrow you will be the Master here. Everything will be yours for the taking."
Selene couldn't wait to see Aaron crowned King.
Unable to stop herself, she squeezed her thighs.