William Thompson has been operating in the underworld for years. If he gets even the slightest chance to catch his breath, he'll find a way to make a comeback.
"Olivia? Where's Olivia?"
Ethan Davis's anxious voice came from outside the private room. Emma Johnson studied his worried expression. Wasn't he supposed to be concerned about Olivia? Then how did Olivia end up so furious?
"Olivia drank too much. She's in a bad mood today. Did you do something to upset her?" Emma asked, her eyes fixed on Ethan.
Ethan recalled taking Olivia to a business cocktail party yesterday. His ex-girlfriend, Jessica Hart, had been there. Jessica had made several cutting remarks toward Olivia. And Olivia was never one to swallow her pride. She had fired back at Jessica on the spot. Jessica had been livid. He'd heard she'd arranged to meet Olivia for lunch today. God knows what she said to her to make her this angry.
"I think I know what this is about. I'll handle it. Christopher, give me the detailed information on those people tomorrow. I won't let them off so easily."
Ethan carefully wrapped Olivia in her coat again, then lifted her gently into his arms. He shot a cold, furious glare at Liam Williams. The look on Ethan's face at that moment was enough to intimidate anyone.
"Don't worry. I've already sent Captain Reed to the police station. If you're not satisfied, you can go see for yourself tomorrow," Liam said, informing Ethan of what he'd already done.
Ethan nodded at Liam, thanked Emma, and left the private room with Olivia in his arms.
With things mostly resolved, the room, thick with the smell of alcohol and a faint trace of blood, was starting to make Emma feel sick. She stood up to leave. But as she rose from the sofa, a wave of dizziness hit her. She lost control and started to fall.
Below her lay shards of broken glass from the liquor bottles.
Just as Emma thought she was about to get seriously hurt, an arm wrapped around her waist. In an instant, she was pulled into Liam's embrace.
She didn't want to be anywhere near this man. She pushed him away, stumbling back a few steps until she was a safe distance from him.
Liam's hands froze in mid-air for a moment before he lowered them. The murderous look in his eyes had faded, but the cold aura radiating from him still made it impossible for anyone to get close.
He watched as Emma took off his suit jacket and handed it back to him.
"Thank you for coming. Here's your jacket back."
Emma's gratitude was purely formal. She returned the jacket to Liam. Liam narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze dark and unreadable as he looked at her.
Christopher Martin, standing outside the room, could clearly feel the icy tension inside. The atmosphere between the CEO and his wife was so thick you could cut it with a knife. He wisely chose not to enter. He figured it was safer to stay outside by the police car than to go in there.
"Emma Johnson, is this how you show your gratitude?" Liam's voice was cold, a nameless anger rising within him as he watched the woman keep her distance.
"I appreciate you being here today. If you hadn't arrived in time, the consequences for Olivia and me would have been unimaginable. So, I won't let you down at the winter clothing conference."
That was the only response Emma could think of. She didn't understand why his face had suddenly turned so dark. It was as if she had done something to displease him.
He clearly hated her being too close to him. Why else would he insist on going back to Sunrise Manor every night?
Their thoughts were on completely different wavelengths. Emma stopped looking at the gloomy Liam. She felt tired. Right now, she just needed to go back to her apartment and get some rest.
The winter clothing conference was starting in a few days. She needed to be in top form.
"I'll take you home," Liam's voice came from behind her.
"No, I can drive myself. I didn't drink today," Emma replied.
As soon as the words left her mouth, her arm was grabbed. Liam pushed her against the wall of the private room. Under the dim, colored lights, Emma looked up at his face.
"Do you honestly think you can drive home safely in your condition?"
Emma wanted to say yes, but the coldness radiating from him almost made her shiver. She finally fell silent, tacitly agreeing with him.
Christopher drove Emma's car back, while she got into Liam's Land Rover. She hadn't expected him to drive himself.
When they reached her apartment, Emma took off her high heels. Seeing that Liam was also taking off his shoes, she looked at him with confusion.
"I'm fine. You can go back now."
Her tone was casual, not at all implying she expected him to stay.
"Isn't this my home? Where am I supposed to go back to?" Liam's words left Emma speechless. Shouldn't he be going back to Sunrise Manor?
But seeing the look on his face, she decided it was better not to say anything.
Besides, what he said was true. Whether it was Sunrise Manor or this apartment, they were all his homes. She was, at best, a temporary guest allowed to stay.
Emma took a shower in the bathroom. When she came out, she saw Liam sitting in the living room, smoking. His brows were furrowed, as if he was deep in thought. Emma wondered if he was in a bad mood because of what had happened at the club tonight. Even though she had no feelings for him, she was still, after all, Mrs. Williams. As William Thompson had said, if the media reported tonight's incident, it could shake the stock price of Pinnacle Corporation.
"I'll be more careful in the future. I won't let my personal affairs affect your reputation or the company's interests," Emma said, pouring herself a glass of water. After drinking it, she felt better. She made the promise to Liam seriously.
Maybe Liam hadn't expected her to take the initiative to reassure him. He looked up at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Then, suddenly, he smiled.
"Emma Johnson, do you think a simple promise is enough?"
What else was she supposed to do? Emma looked at the sarcastic smile curling at the corner of his mouth. If a promise wasn't enough, she could take out their contract and write her vow on it. Would that make Liam feel more secure?
She thought it, so she said it.
Liam crushed out the remaining half of his cigarette in the ashtray, then stepped over the coffee table and walked toward Emma.