"Ten days. If you haggle again, I won't even give you a week."
Liam Williams's tone was so overbearing it left no room for argument. Emma Johnson silently added another tally to her mental list of grievances against him.
This infuriating man. She would make him pay.
"But as my assistant, you can't just disappear all day. I'll give you half a day, every day, to meet with local designers."
Liam's harsh conditions nearly drove Emma insane. She must have been out of her mind earlier to have agreed to take on this hot potato. If she had known it would come to this, she would have kept her mouth shut.
She now understood the true meaning of 'speaking brings disaster.'
Liam headed to his study, leaving Emma alone in the bedroom, clutching his pillow in frustration.
The first thing Liam did upon reaching his study was to call William Thompson.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of a call from President Williams so late at night?"
"Although I don't know how you managed to make James prefer to destroy his own reputation by admitting to plagiarism, I'm certain you're playing with fire this time, William."
Liam spoke with a smile, but his expression was dark and icy. If William could have seen it, his heart would have trembled.
"President Williams speaks with great confidence. The chief designer of your company copied our designer's blueprints, and yet you say I'm playing with fire. I'd like to see just how big this fire can burn."
William Thompson had connections in both the legitimate and criminal worlds. Even though he was wary of Liam's military family background, he wasn't completely defenseless. But this time, he had no idea he had crossed Liam's ultimate line. The man's revenge would be far more than just a lesson.
"Then we'll see. I'm curious to see if your Evergreen Corporation can truly replace Milan Fashion House."
Liam hung up, tapping his index finger on the edge of the desk. After a long moment, the tapping finally stopped.
When he returned to the bedroom, Emma wasn't in bed yet. She was sitting at the computer desk, busy searching for information.
"Why worry so much? You can start tomorrow."
Emma heard Liam's voice and couldn't help but turn to look at him.
"Then give me two weeks, and I won't be so anxious."
She had no idea how alluring her gaze was. Her pure, clear eyes were tinged with a hint of pleading, and her beautiful face made Liam think of what he had demanded from her that afternoon. He wondered how crazy her voice would sound when she begged.
Instead of suppressing his thoughts, he walked over and turned off Emma's computer. As Emma fumed, he untied the belt of his robe. The green marks on her chest still hadn't faded, but the sight only made Liam's blood run hot.
With strong arms, he scooped Emma up, ignoring her resistance and struggle, and placed her on the bed.
"Liam, I'm tired. Not tonight."
Emma was almost completely exhausted by him that afternoon. If she had to endure another night, how would she be able to go out tomorrow?
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you enjoy the exercise."
Liam's low voice was like a siren's call, echoing in Emma's ear.
Shameless. Before Emma could get the words out, the man silenced her with a kiss, his tongue probing past her teeth to taste her sweet beauty.
Perhaps it was because it had happened so many times, but Emma's body began to respond to Liam's touch. Even though she was already very tired, she couldn't help but follow his rhythm.
She was both embarrassed and annoyed.
Fortunately, after two rounds, Liam finally let her go. Otherwise, she was afraid she wouldn't be able to get up at all tomorrow.
"Sister-in-law, are you tired from work?"
At breakfast, Amelia White suddenly asked this in front of everyone.
"I'm not tired. Why do you ask?"
In truth, Emma wanted to complain to Amelia, but she didn't dare in front of the old man. Even if the old man was willing to stand up for her, she would still have to go to the company with Liam in the end.
And once they were there, far from the old man's reach, Liam would take his revenge however he pleased. She would have no one to cry to.
"But I think the dark circles under your eyes are really bad. They weren't this noticeable when you came back yesterday afternoon. I was wondering if you worked again last night. Brother, even though your sister-in-law works for your company, you can't keep her from resting."
Amelia spoke up for Emma with great righteousness.
But the moment the words left her mouth, Emma wished she could find a hole in the ground to crawl into.
The old man, however, had changed his gloomy expression from yesterday and was now laughing happily and kindly.
He said to Oliver White, the butler.
"It seems I might be able to have a grandson soon."
"Indeed, sir."
Butler White replied with a smile. Besides Amelia, who was confused, Benjamin Williams couldn't help but glance at Liam and Emma, who were both blushing.
After getting into the car, Emma glared at Liam with her eye-knife more times than she could count. Thinking about the humiliation this morning, all caused by this man, she was furious.
During the morning meeting, Emma placed the project documents Liam needed on his desk. Then, she made him a cup of coffee.
Looking at the sweet smile on the woman's face, as beautiful as a cherry blossom, Liam really wanted to pin her down right there and demand something from her, if it weren't for the people filing into the meeting room one by one.
How could this woman seduce him with such a pure and innocent smile?
But the next second, when he drank the coffee in the cup, his face stiffened like a plaster cast for a long time.
Then he looked up at Emma, only to see her smile even more brilliantly.
How could there be ginger in the coffee? Didn't she know he hated ginger the most?
She must have done it on purpose, to get back at him.
Watching Liam's expression, unable to spit it out and forced to swallow, his face remained as usual, but his furrowed brows betrayed him.
What was it like to build one's happiness on the pain of others? Emma had experienced it firsthand. The feeling was truly not bad.
She then left the meeting room with satisfaction. Looking at the gloomy weather outside, her mood was not affected at all.
But this good mood only lasted until the end of Liam's morning meeting.
"What is this?"
Emma stared at the mountain of documents in front of her, shocked for a long time before she could ask Liam.
"These are the abandoned project plans and related documents from the past. I need you to sort them out. I'm going to study them again."