Emma thought to herself, even if he spat blood, there was no way he could clear thirty levels in an hour. So she made that promise quite happily. But the next second, Liam snatched the phone right out of her hand.
She watched as the man lowered his head and started playing the game, a cold, charming smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Don't go back on your word, Emma."
For some reason, seeing that smug curve on Liam's lips made a wave of unease wash over her.
An hour later, when the flight attendant, who had finally composed herself, came to tell them they were about to land, Emma stared at Liam. He had already beaten level thirty-five. The shock in her eyes couldn't be put into words.
Was this guy's IQ just off the charts?
"Liam, what's your IQ?"
Emma fixed her eyes on him and asked.
"One ninety. Why?"
Liam handed the phone back to her, his dark eyes taking in her soft, pure, lovely face. He couldn't help reaching out to tap her nose, then pressed his cool lips to hers in a quick kiss.
Emma didn't have the energy to notice the jealous, hateful looks from the flight attendants. She just felt like she had dug a hole for herself, thinking Liam would definitely lose.
How could her average IQ of one hundred and one ever compete with his genius-level one ninety? That was like throwing a pebble at Mars.
"Don't forget what you promised me. You're cashing in tonight."
Emma looked at him in horror, that bad feeling growing stronger and stronger. She just hoped he wouldn't come up with some crazy condition.
They got off the plane at noon. She and Liam arrived at their hotel, and soon a bunch of local government officials and business owners showed up to invite Liam to lunch.
At that moment, Emma was taking a shower in the bathroom. Liam told her the floor and the name of the restaurant where he'd be eating, then left with Christopher to meet the officials and local partners.
After her shower, Emma went downstairs to find Liam. As she walked into the restaurant on the eighth floor, a fat, forty-something man in a suit came out of the restroom nearby. His eyes landed on Emma's face and wouldn't budge.
Disgusted, Emma leaned to the opposite side of the hallway. The man didn't move until she got closer, then he stepped right up to her.
"Nice to meet you, miss. Here's my card. Could I get your contact information?"
Emma looked at the business card he shoved into her hand, amazed at his nerve. Without even glancing at it, she tossed it aside.
"Sorry, I'm not interested."
She was being polite. But this fat guy clearly had skin thicker than leather. He grabbed her arm. Emma caught the smell of alcohol on him and couldn't hold back her temper anymore.
"If you don't let go, don't blame me for being rude."
Emma glared at him, but the man was obviously mesmerized by her looks. His words got even more disgusting.
"I like roses with thorns. No one's ever dared to talk to me like that. Where are you from? Where do you work? You know, it's an honor to have me like you. If you want to stay in Silverdale, you'd better listen to me, got it?"
Oh, threats now. He was clearly some local big shot. Too bad Emma wasn't from Silverdale. Even if she was, she'd never bow down to a creep like him.
"Ah!"
A pig-like howl rang out. The man was doubled over, hands clutching his groin, red-eyed as he stared at the elegant Emma.
He couldn't believe she had just kicked him right in the family jewels with her high heel.
"Do you think you're some kind of celebrity? Take a look in the mirror. If I don't call the cops, consider yourself lucky."
The fat man flailed his arm, pointing a finger at her.
"Do you know who I am? You're asking for trouble."
"Trouble? Please. Who do you think you are? You think you can control whether I live or die? This is a country of laws. Do you really think you can cover the sky with one hand?"
"Ah, Director Wright, are you okay?"
Just as Emma was laughing at this fat, middle-aged loser, a passing waiter saw the man on his knees and shouted in surprise.
Director Wright? So he was a local official.
Emma raised an eyebrow. She was a little surprised, but not scared. She was in the right. Still, she worried she might cause trouble for Liam.
But even if he was the mayor, not just some director, she would have done the same thing all over again. That was just her personality. She couldn't change it, and she wasn't about to take crap like this.
"Director Wright, what happened to you?"
The waiter came over to help the man up. The man named Wright had a fierce look on his face as he stared at Emma.
"Get someone to take her to the police station. Say she's mentally ill and attacked an official."
Emma had never seen anyone so blatantly try to frame her. She looked at Director Wright with a hint of novelty, suddenly feeling like he must have done this kind of thing before.
"What's going on?"
A voice rang out. Emma turned her head and saw several people coming out of one of the private dining rooms. Among them, she spotted Liam.
Oh no. Don't tell her that Director Wright was one of the local officials eating with Liam.
"This woman is crazy. She attacked me just now. I'm having the waiter arrest her."
Director Wright said angrily to the mayor who had asked the question.
The mayor looked at Wright with a headache, thinking this guy must have let his lust get the better of him again. Seeing this woman wasn't giving in, he tried to force things. In the past, he would have turned a blind eye. But today, he was supposed to be discussing serious business. Why did this have to happen now?
If Wright wasn't Secretary Lewis's brother-in-law, he would have found a reason to take him down long ago. Now he was making him look bad in front of Liam.
"What are you waiting for? Take her away!"
He didn't want another incident in front of Liam, so the mayor could only try to cover for Wright for now. But unexpectedly, Liam suddenly spoke up.
"Hold on."
Seeing the waiter about to drag Emma to the police station, Liam's voice was as cold as ice.