The last time Isabella Miller came to the magazine, Joshua Harris could clearly see that the famous model held a deep grudge against her cousin.
Still, a magazine had to prioritize profit. As the editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine, Emma Johnson needed to think about the publication's best interests. Besides, Isabella's agency was still run by a wealthy backer—the same company Emma had worked for before. As the saying went, it was easier to invite a god than to send one away.
Emma struggled internally. From the magazine's perspective, inviting Isabella would undoubtedly bring profit and prestige. She was the editor-in-chief, and naturally, she had to consider what was best for the magazine.
"I'll give you an answer in half a day."
Emma finally made a promise. Joshua happily hung up the phone.
Emma didn't call Isabella directly. She checked the time—it was almost noon. She said goodbye to Emilia Clark and headed to the noodle shop. After waiting in line, she bought two portions of wonton noodles for Liam Williams. Then she carried the noodles straight to Liam's company.
"Miss, please wait."
Although it was Emma's first time at Liam's company, she knew that as the boss, he would be on the top floor. She considered calling him to come down, but worried she might disturb him if he was busy. So she decided to go directly to his office.
At that moment, she truly saw herself as Liam's wife, forgetting that most people needed an appointment to see him. When the receptionist stopped her, she didn't think much of it. She casually said Liam's name.
"Do you have an appointment with the president's secretary?"
The receptionist looked at Emma's simple clothes and assumed she was a reporter trying to interview Liam.
"Appointment? No, I don't."
After Emma finished speaking, the disdain on the receptionist's face was impossible to hide.
"I'm sorry, miss. Our president is very busy every day. If you want to see him, you need to make an appointment in advance. If you don't have one, I'm sorry, but please leave."
Seeing the young receptionist's gesture inviting her to leave, Emma felt helpless. She thought to herself, how could she have forgotten that?
She didn't leave. Instead, she pulled out her phone to call Liam.
The receptionist saw that Emma wasn't leaving and sneered. In a voice loud enough for Emma to hear, she said to her colleague, "How ridiculous. Does she think the president is just an ordinary person? Anyone can see him? She should look in the mirror first."
Her colleague didn't respond. She just stared at Emma, feeling vaguely familiar, as if she had seen her somewhere before. But she couldn't quite remember.
Emma heard the receptionist's words and thought the young woman was incredibly rude. Just then, Liam answered her call.
"Emma?"
"It's me. I'm downstairs at your company with wonton noodles. Unfortunately, since I didn't make an appointment with you in advance, your front desk won't let me in. If you eat the noodles later, they won't taste good. It's up to you."
Without waiting for Liam to respond, Emma hung up. When she turned around, she saw the receptionist staring at her with her mouth open, looking utterly shocked.
"Who are you?"
Emma ignored her. It wasn't until Liam appeared in the lobby a minute later that the young receptionist was truly stunned.
She never imagined the president would come down personally for this woman.
"You don't need an appointment to see me. Just go straight to the elevator."
When Liam saw Emma coming to see him, his eyes were full of joy. Christopher Martin, standing behind him, quickly took the two portions of wonton noodles from Emma's hands.
"How can that be? This young lady here said you're busy every day. Ordinary people like me aren't qualified to see you."
Emma said sarcastically, casting a light glance at the arrogant receptionist.
The girl's face had turned pale. She couldn't speak at all.
"What's wrong with you? You don't even recognize my wife. Why should I keep you employed?"
It wasn't until Liam mentioned that Emma was his wife that the other receptionist suddenly remembered. A wave of regret washed over her.
"Starting tomorrow, replace these two."
Liam finished speaking and didn't give the two new girls a chance to explain. He went upstairs with Emma.
Christopher saw the regret on the girls' faces and felt a little sorry for their bad luck. Still, if they hadn't provoked the wife just now, he wouldn't have said anything.
The wife wasn't usually a picky person. It was obvious these two weren't properly hired. It seemed he would need to remind the HR department later.
"Did you miss me? Is that why you came to see me?"
Liam opened the wonton noodles. The fragrant aroma lifted his spirits.
"Of course. I wouldn't come to the Three Treasures Hall without a reason. I need a favor."
Emma was very straightforward. She couldn't say anything sweet.
"Well, that depends. A bowl of wonton noodles for a favor? I'm afraid the reward is too low."
Liam teased Emma.
"How can that be low? I have to queue for at least half an hour every day to buy you these noodles. That includes my time cost. The reward is very high."
Emma retorted firmly.
"Alright, then tell me what it is."
Liam asked Emma while eating the wonton noodles.
"The boss of our magazine wants to invite Isabella Miller to do the cover. She's an artist from your company. If you say one word, she'll go in no time."
Emma opened her own container and took a bite of noodles.
"That's not a big deal. I'll ask Christopher to call her agent in a moment. But I wonder why you didn't come to her yourself."
"Don't forget what happened last time. Even if she apologized to me, I still don't want to see her."
The rejection in Emma's words was obvious.
Liam understood. He didn't continue the topic.
In the afternoon, Liam left work early. He explained the company's affairs to Christopher and personally drove Emma back to Sunrise Manor.