My cheek still throbbed when I woke up this morning.
Emma Johnson touched her face, the memory of last night flooding back. That drunk man Liam had beaten with a trash can. He'd been so intoxicated, causing trouble for no reason. Was he seriously injured?
She let out a long sigh.
So many things were piling up.
The wedding loomed ahead, and she really didn't want to go to work. So she called Joshua Harris and asked for a week's marriage leave.
After getting dressed and heading downstairs, she noticed a servant moving about the house. But there was no sign of Liam or the old man.
Charlotte saw her coming down and said politely, "Madam, you're up early. Breakfast isn't ready yet today."
"Well... where are Liam and the master?" Usually at this hour, they'd be doing morning exercises in the garden.
Why hadn't she seen anyone today?
Emma felt a twinge of unease. The servants seemed more cautious than usual in their words and actions. Something must have happened.
Charlotte had already guessed the young lady wouldn't know. She walked to the sofa and handed her today's newspaper. "Word is, the young master beat someone at the banquet last night. He lost quite a few contracts. The master was furious when he found out. He called both young masters into the study early this morning, and they haven't come out yet."
"What? It's that serious..."
Emma didn't even bother reading the newspaper. She went straight upstairs to the door of Henry Williams' study.
Just as she was about to knock, the scolding reached her ears.
Inside, Henry slammed his hand on the desk, his voice shaking with anger. "You've really disappointed me, Liam. Couldn't you have held back? You had to hit someone right then and there. I heard they're all in the hospital now. I know you don't care about the money. You can afford the hospital bills. You can even afford the nearly sixty million dollars Milan Fashion House lost this time. Your wings are hard now, you don't care. But the reputation of our Williams family is ruined. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Liam didn't speak. But Benjamin, lounging on the sofa, couldn't stand it anymore. He crossed his legs casually and tried to help. "Dad, isn't this a bit much? Besides, brother did it for his sister-in-law. It's only natural. You should be happy. In two days, brother's getting married."
"What do you know? The more beautiful a woman is, the more trouble she brings. I think your brother has lost all reason over his wife. It's terrible! A man should focus on his career. Women are just passing clouds. Liam, if you keep this up, you'll not only destroy the entire Pinnacle Corporation, but yourself as well."
Henry's words cut deep into Emma's heart. So this was how they saw women?
What had she done wrong?
Fortunately, she was only Liam's wife in name.
In a year, they'd both be free.
He wouldn't have to lose his mind over her.
She wouldn't have to live such a terrifying life.
To put it bluntly, all the suffering she was enduring now came from this meaningless title.
Even though the old man was scolding him, Liam still felt he'd done nothing wrong.
In truth, he hadn't changed at all.
He'd always been like this—violent, ruthless, unable to tolerate even a grain of sand in his eye.
Especially when it was Emma being bullied. She was his wife, even if only in name.
Even an ordinary man wouldn't stand by.
So how could he possibly bear it?
"Dad, it's not that serious. I'll have my people follow up on Milan Fashion House's contracts and try to minimize the losses. As for those who doubt my attitude, there's really nothing I can do. I grew up with this temper. I can't change it."
Liam finished speaking crisply, his face expressionless.
His attitude was still tough, leaving no room for argument.
"What are you saying, huh? You never acted like this before. Are you throwing the company's interests and reputation away for a woman? I told you to find a wife to be your virtuous helpmate—someone who wouldn't cause you trouble outside and could serve you well at home. But instead, you protect her no matter what. What are you doing to yourself?" Henry was so angry he felt like he was about to vomit blood.
All the women in the Williams family were virtuous, dignified, gentle, and generous.
What about Emma Johnson?
She was just a little editor at a gossip magazine. She'd only been causing trouble for two or three days.
Wasn't it all because his son doted on his wife?
"Dad, how can you blame Emma for this? She was the victim. She stayed in the banquet hall all day yesterday and didn't cause any trouble for me. It was clearly that drunk man who harassed her. This happened because our group's security measures weren't perfect. How can you put all this on her?" Liam couldn't listen anymore. What was wrong with him? He'd said before that he wouldn't object to the woman he chose.
What was happening now?
At least in this case, Liam didn't think Emma was wrong.
"Hmph. This is the first time I've seen you defend a woman like this. Fine, let her explain herself. As the daughter-in-law of the Williams family, did she conduct herself properly yesterday? Don't think I don't know. Even though I wasn't at the scene yesterday, I have a clear picture of what happened inside."
Henry paused and turned to Benjamin, who was still sitting on the sofa. "Go and call your sister-in-law for me. I have something to ask her."
Benjamin was startled. He was supposed to call his sister-in-law?
If he called her in now, she'd definitely get scolded by the old man.
Benjamin didn't get up. He just looked up at Liam.
He didn't think his big brother would agree. Look at how fiercely he'd defended Emma just now.
He pursed his lips and stayed silent.
"Dad, can you be reasonable? I told you, I'll make up for this later. I'll go talk to the media. They'll give me some face. Let's just forget about this, okay? Emma... she's frightened too. If you're angry, take it out on me."
Liam's protective instincts had fully kicked in.
This time, he was serious.
The old man's anger was understandable, but Liam couldn't stop worrying when he thought of Emma's innocent eyes.
Emma stood at the door, hearing every word he said clearly.
So Liam wasn't as much of a jerk as she'd thought.
So even when something this big happened, he still stood by her side, never wavering.
At this moment, she didn't know what to do.
Should she go in? Or leave?