The mention of Elijah Clark's name sent a jolt of excitement through Emma Johnson. He was a genius. His films had to be incredible. Just as she was about to blurt out an enthusiastic acceptance, the phone was snatched from her hand by the man across the table.
"Do you really think a married woman has time to meet another man at night, Mr. Clark?"
With those words, Liam Williams ended the call with a sharp click. He then saw the obvious disappointment flickering across Emma's face.
"Are you that upset you can't see him?"
Liam felt a surge of anger burning inside him. This woman couldn't even bother to hide it. Didn't she know how much he despised Elijah Clark? And she dared to show such a crestfallen look right in front of him.
"Huh?"
Emma was still lost in the disappointment of missing the chance to see her favorite comedy star direct a film. Liam's words only confused her further.
What was he even talking about?
"I'm not—"
"Are you done? If you're finished, go to the front desk and settle the bill. Don't forget, you're my assistant. Surely you can handle such a simple task."
Liam tossed a card onto the table in front of Emma, not interested in hearing any explanation.
In his mind, any excuse Emma offered was pointless.
Left with no choice, Emma picked up the card and walked to the service counter to pay.
After returning to the company, Emma lost her lunch break entirely.
"Take this document to the Human Resources department."
No sooner had Emma made him a cup of coffee than Liam placed a thick stack of papers into her hands. She obediently complied.
After she delivered the documents to HR, Liam handed her a planning proposal and instructed her to take it to the Strategic Planning department for revisions. Emma did as she was told.
For two straight hours, Emma had no time to rest. Wearing high heels, she trekked across the entire floor—Strategic Planning, Production Technology, Safety Supervision, Legal Affairs... Finally, when she reached the Finance department, her feet felt numb, as if they no longer belonged to her.
"Sister Wei, are you alright?"
As Emma emerged from Finance and hurried to the break room for a rest, Emilia Clark quickly followed her out. Seeing Emma take off her heels, she couldn't help but ask.
"I'm fine. It's just Liam. He's trying to work me to death."
Emma couldn't help but complain.
"Did you have a fight with the CEO?"
"No. How could I possibly fight with him?"
Realizing she had complained in front of Emilia, Emma quickly backtracked. Even though her relationship with Liam was strained, she shouldn't let others see it.
Besides, she didn't want Emilia to worry about her.
"Sister Wei, you look exhausted. You should go home and rest later. When the CEO asked you to be his personal assistant, he probably wanted to keep you close."
Emma thought to herself, Keep me close? More like keep me miserable.
But she couldn't say that to Emilia.
Before returning to Liam's office, Emma called Elijah Clark herself. She told him she couldn't make it to the cinema and suggested he take Mia Lewis instead. It would be a shame to waste the movie tickets, and it was a perfect opportunity. She hoped Elijah would take her advice.
Mia was a wonderful woman. Emma truly hoped her two good friends could find happiness together.
"Why are you back so late? Did you call your childhood sweetheart?"
Liam didn't even look up. Emma stared at him in surprise, thinking, Boss, do you have eyes in the back of your head?
When Liam finally looked up, he caught the surprised expression on Emma's face. His anger flared up again.
"Close the door."
The man's clear voice held no warmth. The moment Emma closed the door, she felt a sudden pressure behind her, pinning her against it.
"Liam."
Emma gasped in surprise. The man's thin, cold lips bit down on her earlobe.
"The secretarial department is right outside. If you want them to hear, go ahead and scream."
When his hand slid under her skirt, Emma couldn't believe he would dare to do this here.
He was like a bloodthirsty beast, gnawing at every inch of her skin. All she could do was passively endure wave after wave of violent impact that threatened to shatter her.
Furious with him, Emma suddenly rebelled when he thrust into her again.
The sharp pain on his shoulder made Liam pause. He straightened up and looked at the two rows of teeth marks Emma had left on his skin. A cold, sinister smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
When he covered her again, his demands were even more relentless than before.
"Liam, you bastard."
Emma was crying beneath him, unable to bear it any longer. Finally, the man was satisfied and agreed to take her back to her office. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.
Liam cleaned himself up briefly, then took a wet towel and carefully wiped Emma down.
Seeing her skin, as delicate as a baby's, covered in his marks, a look of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.
"Emma Johnson, no one else will ever touch you but me."
Liam reached out and traced the bruises on Emma's body with his cold fingertips. They were his exclusive marks.
It was a long time before he finally left the room.
A moment later, Christopher Martin suddenly entered. His expression was more serious than ever.
"Sir, there's a problem with Milan Fashion House."
After hearing Christopher's report, a cold glint flashed in Liam's eyes.
...
On the way home that evening, Emma felt as if the oppressive silence in the car had trapped her in the frozen Arctic. Liam's quietness was unsettling. She glanced at the man who had ravaged her like a storm that afternoon and wondered, What happened? I just took a nap. How did Liam become even colder when I woke up?
"Brother, sister-in-law, you're back."
Amelia White, who had been lounging on the sofa in the living room, greeted them with a sweet smile, acting as if she were close to Emma.
Emma was grateful to her for not telling the old man or Benjamin Williams about what had happened at the mall. Unconsciously, she began to treat Amelia like a sister.
After all, if Benjamin ever found out that Amelia had been in that kind of danger, he would probably tear her apart.
"Liam, come with me."