"Emma, do you like it when I kiss you? But you cooperated pretty well today, didn't you?"
Emma's face flushed crimson. "No, no... I just didn't want to bump into your wound again..."
"So you don't like me kissing you? I think that's the case, isn't it? Well then..." He leaned down, ready to continue where they left off.
Emma immediately raised her hand to block Liam's lips, refusing to let him get any closer. She forced a smile. "I like it. How could I not like it? But Liam, aren't you going to be late for work? You're so busy—there must be tons of things waiting for you to handle."
Honestly, saying she liked it was bad, but saying she didn't like it was even worse.
How could Emma ever handle such a domineering CEO?
"Well, if you know I'm busy, you'd better not provoke me in the future. Otherwise, I'll come to your office every single day to see you..."
"Alright, alright. I won't provoke you, I swear. Can you please go now?" Emma tried to open the door for him.
But she forgot she was still trapped in Liam's arms. She ducked her head slightly, bent down a little, and slipped out from under his arm.
She opened the door and made a respectful "please" gesture.
Liam looked down at her, then immediately bent over and planted a firm kiss on her forehead.
"Since you said you like it, I'll give you this." With that, he strode out of the office.
The owner of New York Fashion Magazine was left speechless.
As soon as Liam left, everyone started buzzing with gossip:
"That man is so handsome. He's tall and strong, so commanding. I really like him..."
"Don't you recognize him? That's Liam Williams, the CEO of Pinnacle Corporation."
"Yes, yes, I've seen him on TV before. He looks even more impressive in person..."
"..."
"Do you think he likes our editor-in-chief? Why else would he come to see her?"
"Yeah, he even kissed her on the forehead just now. They must have been up to something in the office..."
Emma's head was spinning. The office was in complete chaos now.
Everyone at the magazine was curious, but they were too afraid of the editor-in-chief's temper to ask directly. So they pushed Ava, the one who could talk to Emma most freely, to get some information.
Ava walked into Emma's office with a cup of coffee. "Editor-in-chief, was that man your boyfriend just now?"
"No." Emma's answer was crisp and clean.
What a joke. How could she admit that?
She didn't want to become public enemy number one in the whole city.
"Then why did he come to see you?" Ava didn't believe her and kept pressing.
"He and I are just friends. Uh... ordinary friends." Even Emma didn't believe her own words.
"...Oh, I see. I'll go now." Ava set the coffee down on the desk and didn't ask any more questions.
"Alright."
Emma watched Ava leave the office, then collapsed onto her desk like a deflated balloon.
Staring at the scenery outside the window, her mind was full of thoughts. Recently, Liam's handsome, roguish face kept appearing in her mind. Every time he got close to her, even though she was a little scared, there was an inexplicable feeling stirring inside her.
It wasn't like or dislike.
Was it... a flutter?
It was almost ten o'clock when Liam left New York Fashion Magazine and arrived at Pinnacle Corporation.
This was the first time in his life he had come to the company so late.
Usually, he always demanded that he be seated in his office before eight o'clock, just like the company's employees. But today, not only had he woken up late, but he had also gone to the magazine. So when Christopher saw Liam, he almost dropped his jaw.
"Sir, I've left your clothes in the office."
"Alright, I know."
Christopher followed him and began reporting the day's schedule. "This morning, you have a meeting with Mr. Jameson, the high-end designer we've brought in from France, to discuss this year's Milan Fashion House collection. This afternoon, there's a board meeting. All the directors, shareholders, and senior executives will be there to discuss the construction and audit of next month's real estate project. This evening... Mr. Thompson of Summit Group is celebrating his birthday today. He specifically invited you to his home for dinner."
"Alright, that's fine. But I have plans for the evening. Just send a gift to Summit Group. I won't go." Liam walked into his office, took off his jacket, and put on a black suit that Christopher had just brought in.
With his lean figure and the custom-tailored suit, Liam looked not only refreshed but also exuded a wild, untamed aura.
"But sir, our relationship with Summit Group is already strained. If you don't go this time... Mr. Thompson will probably take offense." Christopher still thought it was a bad idea.
Indeed, in the entire city, Summit Group was the only company that could rival Pinnacle Corporation.
Both CEOs were young and promising, but the difference was that William Thompson was ruthless and would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Liam, on the other hand, relied on his own ability and wisdom, knew when to advance and when to retreat, and never stooped to illegal activities.
Summit Group's feud with Pinnacle Corporation wasn't something that started yesterday. Liam was used to William's despicable tactics and wouldn't give him any face.
He definitely wasn't going to that dinner tonight, because, compared to that, he was much more interested in having dinner with Emma.
"It doesn't matter. I don't agree with Summit Group's methods. As for William Thompson... I don't even want to have anything to do with him."
Liam made his position clear: he and William Thompson could never have any intersection. Apart from some public events and banquets, the two of them only exchanged a few casual greetings when they met.
"Alright, I'll arrange it later. But sir, how did you hurt your face?"
Christopher was puzzled. How did it get like this in just one night?
Had the big boss gotten into a fight with someone?
"Do I have to report everything to you? Where I was last night, who I was with, how I got hurt... should I tell you everything one by one, Assistant Christopher?" Liam's tone was light, but Christopher couldn't help shivering.
"No, sir. I'll go now..." Christopher left as fast as his feet could carry him, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.