Emma was quick on her feet. She ducked down and slipped out of his grasp.
"Liam, I'm warning you. Stop talking about physical relationships in front of me. I see right through you. How can a shameless jerk like you have the nerve to talk about faith? That contract was signed for nothing. You never paid any attention to it, did you?" Emma planted her hands on her hips, looking like a feisty little shrew, her voice dripping with anger.
She didn't even want to mention it. Every time she thought about that contract, she felt like it was just a trick to fool herself.
He was a complete scoundrel. He never let up, did he?
Emma had to admit that when she first drafted the document, she hadn't thought it through. She hadn't made the physical relationship clause clear enough.
But that didn't give Liam the right to do what he did. It wasn't a physical relationship. On a whim, he'd press her against the wall and have his way with her.
Hugging wasn't a physical relationship. Eating her tofu every chance he got, taking all the advantages he could.
Emma could tolerate all that. But Liam was such a shameless bastard that he even acted like he was doing her a favor when he got what he wanted. When they kissed, he acted like she wasn't good enough. When they hugged, he complained she wasn't passionate enough, that holding her wasn't satisfying.
That's what he said, but which time didn't Liam make the first move?
She didn't force him, did she?
Liam's gloomy face finally cracked at Emma's fierce outburst. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and his eyes narrowed into beautiful crescents.
He raised a hand to unbutton his shirt, took the clothes from Emma's hand, and put them on.
"Honey, if you're this clever every day, I think I'll wake up from a dream."
As soon as Liam finished that sentence, he froze.
Once upon a time, Liam had imagined a possibility where Emma was just the editor-in-chief of the magazine, with no connection to Elijah.
He wouldn't have so many burdens on his shoulders. He wouldn't have to think about the hunt.
He and Emma would live a simple life, without conspiracies and calculations. Maybe then, he could be a qualified husband. Emma would surely be the most adorable little wife. They would live in their own little world, and he would be content.
But unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. There was a long distance between imagination and reality.
Liam's gaze at Emma suddenly dimmed. If one day she found out what was on his mind, what would happen?
He gave a bitter smile in his heart. If that day ever came, he could only pray it would come later... a little later.
A few minutes ago, because of what Emma was hiding, Liam was about to go crazy.
He wanted to see into this woman's heart.
But now, Emma just ran over pitifully, said a few soft words, and he had no resistance at all?
All his resentment turned to ashes in her gentle, pathetic eyes?
When did his heart become so easy to satisfy?
Emma's little glance had quelled all the dissatisfaction and anger in his heart. It seemed she had a kind of magic that could instantly put him in a good mood.
"Alright, honey, you get some rest. I still have something to discuss with Christopher. There's going to be a lot going on in the next few days. You should sleep." Liam raised his hand, brushed the bangs on Emma's forehead, said this intimately, and then turned toward the study.
When he walked in, Christopher had been waiting for him for a long time. His face was full of fatigue from working overtime continuously. But when he saw Liam, he immediately snapped back to full alertness.
As soon as Liam sat down, Christopher handed him a three-part document. "Sir, here's the guest list for the Milan Fashion House press conference, the venue and process for the banquet, and the background information on the models. Please take a look. If there are any issues, we can discuss and solve them together. What do you think?"
"Good. Well done. I'm very satisfied." Liam barely glanced at the document in his hand before signing his name.
...
Emma was bored staying alone in her bedroom, so she ran to the kitchen downstairs to see what was good to eat. In the dining room, there were plenty of delicious things, but she hadn't eaten much at all.
No, she still felt hungry.
As soon as she got to the second floor, she ran into Charlotte, who was carrying a plate full of figs.
Emma looked at them, and her mouth almost started watering. "Charlotte, these figs look delicious. Are you sending them to the young master?"
"Yes, ma'am. I've washed some for you too. They're on the table downstairs. Go and try them. They're very sweet." Charlotte said with a smile.
"Alright, I see."
Emma happily took two steps. The conflict with Liam was resolved, and her mood was naturally cheerful. In a moment, her brain turned, as if she had thought of something.
Well, anyway, it was all my fault tonight. I have to show some sincerity to apologize, right?
"Charlotte, wait a moment. I'll send the figs in for you." Then she turned and took the plate from her hand, continuing, "Okay, that's all for you. Go do what you need to do."
If Emma delivered it in person, wouldn't Liam be a little happier?
She held the fruit tray carefully, raised her left hand, and suddenly heard the conversation between the two people inside. Her fingers, hanging in the air, froze in shock.
Because Emma overheard those three words.
Isabella Miller?
She only heard Christopher's loud voice coming from the study. "Sir, I have another question. About our contracted model, Isabella Miller..."
Ever since he went to the Milan Fashion House with Liam last time and met Isabella, he had always wanted to ask what Liam meant.
Would the model company keep her or not?
Hearing the name, Liam felt it was familiar. It seemed like he had heard it somewhere?
After thinking for a moment, he got a little idea.
Isabella Miller?
Wasn't that Emma's cousin?
Last time, her hand was scratched by her. She was the woman who stole Emma's fiancé.
This woman's character was really bad.
Besides, she bullied Emma like that.
"Christopher, do you think she's a contract model for our company? If we break the contract now, how much will we have to pay?" Liam's low voice sounded in the room.
Christopher paused and said, "Sir, I've read the contract. When we signed it, the penalty was three million. Isabella's physical condition and strength are not bad. If we dismiss her like this, the company will lose a lot."