Daniel Taylor curled up, clutching his foot in agony. He couldn't even manage a single word through the pain.
Vicious woman. The most vicious woman I've ever met.
He'd only wanted to tease her petite figure. He never expected she'd actually go through with it!
Emma Johnson watched him struggle to speak for a long moment, then left the lounge with a satisfied smirk.
Fight her?
She'd have to ask the heels on her feet if they agreed first.
She'd barely taken a few steps when she spotted Mia Lewis walking toward her, smiling. Mia wore a red trench coat and black leather pants.
"Well, well. The lady finally has time to visit my restaurant? If you'd stayed away any longer, I was going to have you banned for life." Mia's voice carried a hint of playful anger, remembering how long it had been since Emma last visited The Waterfront.
"Since when did you start sounding like Olivia Davis? Do you even want to stay in business?" Emma wasn't offended. She pulled an invitation from her bag and handed it over. "Here. Make sure you bring a fat red envelope. I won't disturb you since you're so busy. Bye. See you tomorrow."
"Fine. See you tomorrow. Happy wedding."
Mia reached out and pinched Emma's cheek. A sigh escaped her lips. Another friend joining the married club.
Her own sweetheart had only just appeared.
Thinking of Elijah Clark, Mia's narcissistic streak flared up again. "Hey, Emma. You're getting married tomorrow... Will Elijah be there?"
"Of course. He wouldn't dare not come. Just you wait."
Though Emma's words were light, worry lingered in her heart.
Did Mia really like Elijah that much?
Did love at first sight truly exist in this real world?
Thinking back, Elijah had been saying he wanted to marry her for years. Emma had always dismissed it as a joke.
For so many years, it seemed the only man Emma had truly loved was Noah Taylor. Unfortunately, fate hadn't been kind, and their story had no happy ending.
On the way home, Emma's mind wandered.
Since meeting Liam Williams, her life had undergone earth-shattering changes.
From a small-time magazine editor to a high-society lady, she felt no happiness at all.
Because she knew very well that in this marriage, she and Liam weren't the protagonists in each other's lives.
At best, they were just passing strangers.
She'd only been out for an afternoon, but when she returned, the house was already buzzing with excitement.
The villa was decorated inside and out with red lanterns and ribbons, the atmosphere fresh and festive.
Charlotte saw her coming from a distance and hurried over. "Madam, you're finally back! Did you know we have a distinguished guest today?"
Emma raised an eyebrow at Charlotte's mysterious expression. "A distinguished guest? Do I know them?"
"Madam, you've only been home a few days. Naturally, you wouldn't know them." Charlotte took Emma's bag as they walked toward the entrance together.
Before she even entered the living room, Emma heard Benjamin Williams's hearty laughter... and a woman's voice?
Emma glanced at Charlotte, puzzled. Guests were rare at home, let alone a woman.
Who could it be?
Emma changed into her slippers and took a few steps into the living room, where she found four people seated.
In the center, naturally, was the old man. Liam and Benjamin were also there. Beside them sat a beautiful young girl.
She looked thin, almost smaller than Emma herself.
Her makeup was fresh and lovely, with a chestnut-brown bob that made her look playful and cute.
She seemed about twenty-one or twenty-two.
Was this the guest Charlotte mentioned?
Emma looked up at her and found the girl staring back with equal curiosity.
But there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes. The moment she saw Emma, the smile on her face vanished without a trace.
Seeing Emma return, Liam spoke first. "You're back? Let me introduce you to this lovely little girl."
Lovely little girl?
In all the time she'd been with Liam, this was the first time Emma had heard him call another girl so intimately.
A sour feeling churned in her stomach.
Emma cleared her throat. "Oh..."
She took a step and sat down next to Liam. The girl was directly across from her.
As soon as she settled, Liam's voice drifted over. "She's my sister. Well, now she's your sister too. Amelia White."
What?
Since when did Liam have a sister?
She'd been living here for so long. Why hadn't anyone mentioned it?
Before Emma could process the information, Amelia pursed her lips and said, "You must be my brother's wife, right? Hello, I'm Amelia White."
"Emma Johnson." She simply stated her name.
Wait a minute...
What the hell was going on?
Emma looked at the old man and the two brothers beside her, completely confused.
Why did they suddenly have another sister?
Were these people so rich they had nothing better to do?
Was this some kind of "sister" arrangement?
Was being a godfather or goddaughter out of fashion now?
A "dry sister"?
Thinking about it, Emma's expression soured.
She looked at Amelia again and noticed her eyes seemed fixed on Liam, not straying for a second.
Was "affectionate" even a strong enough word?
A woman's precise sixth sense told her this "sister" was anything but simple.
Lost in thought, she secretly glanced at Liam, hoping to gauge his reaction.
But when she looked up, she found Liam staring right back at her.
Their eyes met. Emma panicked and quickly looked away, staring at her own toes.
"Why are you peeking at me?" Liam noticed something was off with this woman the moment she walked in. Now she was sneaking glances at him?
Wasn't she afraid of getting a lazy eye?
Emma was speechless.
"I... How could I be peeking at you? Besides, if you weren't looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you..."
Her husband... In front of so many people, how could he say something like that?
Peeking?
Don't be ridiculous.
Hearing her retort, Liam reached over and pinched her cheek, pulling her face out of shape. His tone was laced with affection. "I'll let you look all you want tonight. For now, just sit here and behave."
The gesture was too intimate. The voice was too gentle.
Of the three other people present, Amelia had the worst expression.
"Brother, don't show off. Yesterday you wore matching outfits, and today you're flaunting your love in front of us. Have you considered the feelings of us single dogs?" It was Benjamin's voice.