"Time to wake up."
Emma Johnson blinked sleepily up at Liam Williams. She had just woken up, and the drowsy look on her face was so endearing that Liam felt a familiar heat stir in his lower abdomen.
If she hadn't been so exhausted from the night before and in desperate need of rest, he would have pulled her back into the bedroom without a second thought.
Emma wanted to nod, but her stomach growled loudly before she could even speak.
A flush of embarrassment crept up her cheeks. But honestly, she hadn't eaten a single thing all day. It was only natural that she was starving.
Liam let out a low, clear laugh. He set down the things in his hands, walked over to the coat rack, and slipped on his jacket. Then he took Emma's hand and led her out of the office.
There was no time to go to the market, buy groceries, and cook at home. So Liam had already made a reservation at an Italian restaurant. Emma thought he was being thoughtful. If this had been that French restaurant from last time, where she'd had such a miserable experience, she would have turned around and walked right back out.
But as the saying goes, the more you dread something, the more likely it is to happen.
When she saw Kennedy Taylor walking toward them with a bright smile, wearing a tight, deep purple dress, Emma's mood soured instantly.
Especially when she caught sight of Kennedy's nearly exposed cleavage and her stunning figure. Emma had to fight the urge to look down at herself, just to avoid feeling inadequate.
A woman like that was bold and aggressive. Emma expected her to shoot a provocative glare her way, just like last time. But surprisingly, Kennedy only greeted them warmly before returning to her friends.
That struck Emma as odd.
But when she felt a gaze lingering on her from across the room, she looked up curiously.
Sure enough, Kennedy was watching her, intentionally or not. Her cat-like eyes seemed to hold a hint of reluctance. Emma wondered if Kennedy was holding back from being provocative, or maybe she was afraid of the consequences?
Emma didn't know why she thought that. But when she remembered Liam's calm, expressionless face, it really was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
"Why aren't you eating? Weren't you just starving?"
Liam looked at the spaghetti he had already mixed for her.
"Actually, I think Kennedy is pretty impressive."
The words slipped out before Emma could stop herself.
"You mean she's impressive for me?"
Liam looked at Emma with a faint smile, but the coldness in his eyes made her instantly regret speaking. She had thought she was brave enough to say anything, but now she realized she had just poked the bear.
"No, I just think she's a good woman."
Emma wasn't the jealous type. Years of working in fashion had taught her not to be easily threatened by other women. When faced with someone exceptional, she didn't resort to petty jealousy. Even though Kennedy had shaken her confidence as a woman, Emma could still rationally and objectively admit that Kennedy was an outstanding woman.
A woman like that should be attractive to any man. That was why she was surprised. How could Liam be so indifferent? Even though she and Liam were close, that didn't mean he would fall in love with her. She wasn't that naive.
"She is impressive. Before she returned to her family, she got into a world-renowned university under terrible circumstances and graduated with top honors. That alone puts her ahead of most people."
Liam's generous praise left Emma feeling a little bitter. She thought, even if you really admire her, do you have to say it right in front of me?
Watching the woman across from him poke at her spaghetti as if it had personally offended her, a glimmer of amusement appeared in Liam's eyes.
Clearly, she had started this conversation. But when he went along with it, she got upset.
He remembered what his good friend Ethan Davis had once told him. Women are the most complicated creatures in the world. When they're simple, they're as plain as boiled water. When they're complicated, they drive you crazy. So it's best not to overthink them, because the moment you start worrying, you're already doomed to fall.
Liam thought about it and felt that his original view still held some truth.
Just like the woman sitting across from him. She often looked cute and confused. But who would have guessed that, on the other hand, she had a deep connection with Adrian Frost, the core figure of Black Feather, the largest international criminal organization?
Emma Johnson, which one is the real you? Even though they had been as close as two people could be, Liam felt like he still couldn't see through her.
The next day at work, Emma unexpectedly ran into Isabella Miller at the company. Isabella had come specifically to find her.
"Cousin, please help me, okay?"
Isabella looked haggard. The moment she saw Emma, tears started streaming down her face like a broken faucet.
Emma didn't like her cousin much, but even she was startled by Isabella's appearance. She closed the door to her office, and once they were alone, she finally spoke. "What's wrong? You have to tell me what happened first."
"Cousin, my career is about to be ruined."
"How is that possible? Aren't you going to Milan Fashion Week? This is the perfect time to make a breakthrough. How could it be ruined?"
Emma asked in surprise.
It seemed Liam hadn't told Emma anything about this. Isabella thought about it silently.
"Cousin, someone else has replaced me at Fashion Week. Not only that, starting tomorrow, all my events have been canceled. I'm afraid I've been blacklisted."
"Blacklisted?"
Emma asked in disbelief. Even though she and Isabella didn't get along, outsiders didn't know that. Isabella was signed to Liam's modeling agency, and all the agents there were top-notch. For her cousin's sake, they shouldn't have neglected Isabella.
How could she suddenly be blacklisted?
"Cousin, it must be because my brother-in-law was angry with me. He must have told my agent to cancel all my shows."
Isabella's words made Emma unable to believe it. How could this be related to Liam? But it seemed like the only explanation that made sense.
"Why would he cancel your shows?" Emma was still confused.
"I don't know the exact reason. But I think it might be because of Scarlett Martinez. At that time, I was very close to Scarlett. After you got caught up in that scandal because of her, my brother-in-law must have thought I was behind it. So he wanted to get revenge for you."
Isabella looked up with tear-filled eyes, her expression pitiful.
"Cousin, I swear to God. Ever since I admitted my mistake to you last time, I haven't had any bad intentions toward you. If I'm lying, let me be struck by lightning."
Isabella took the most vicious oath, hoping to earn Emma's trust.