When his lips met hers, thin and cool, Emma Johnson's mind exploded into a blank. Her brain instantly lost all ability to think.
His tongue eagerly sought hers, demanding the sweetness within her mouth. Emma felt her thoughts dissolve into nothingness. Beyond the man before her, she couldn't focus on anything else.
Only when she was nearly breathless did he finally release her. Gasping for air, her mind slowly regained a sliver of clarity.
She shot Liam Williams a resentful glare. This man was impossible. They had been discussing something serious moments ago, and now he'd veered off into something entirely different.
Liam clearly hadn't had his fill. His passion was already rising. His slender fingers attempted to slip beneath Emma's skirt, only to be caught firmly by her hand.
"You still haven't told me what happened," Emma said angrily, struggling to keep her thoughts from drowning in his charm.
Seeing the fire in Emma's eyes, Liam had no choice but to smile and pull his hand away.
"It needs to stay a secret. Saying it now would ruin the surprise. You'll understand when you see it that day." Liam's eyes held a mysterious glint, only fueling Emma's curiosity further.
She stared at him, her eyes wide with curiosity, moist and bright like a lovable creature. Liam immediately pulled her into his arms, rubbing her head affectionately.
"But if you really want to know, it's not impossible to tell you." Liam teased, dangling the bait before her.
"What?" Emma's eyes widened, blinking at him eagerly.
But she quickly realized this man never gave in so easily. Whatever he wanted in return wouldn't be simple.
Sure enough, when Liam stated his terms, Emma couldn't help but throw a pillow at him.
"Forget it. Keep your secret." Emma huffed, storming into the bathroom to shower.
Three days. She could wait three days to find out what Liam planned to do to William Thompson. She still had patience.
Liam watched her retreating figure, a smile playing on his lips. A trace of unconscious tenderness flickered in his eyes.
So deep.
"Sister Wei, I really don't understand. Why did Miss Amelia suddenly go to Switzerland for treatment? It's so abrupt. I used to go to her coffee shop and chat with her, but now it's no fun going there anymore."
The next day, Emma went to the office. She was still overseeing the charity project, so it was time to balance rest with work.
During a break, she and Emilia Clark went to the break room to relax. Emilia sighed, bringing up Amelia White to Emma.
"It's for her own good. On the surface, she seems no different from anyone else. She can even exercise and run her coffee shop. But Dr. Moore told me there could be other complications in the future. So it's best to treat her as soon as possible. After all, Amelia is still young. Her life hasn't even truly begun."
Emilia nodded, seeming to find sense in Emma's words. "You're right, Sister Wei. Besides, Miss Amelia doesn't have a boyfriend. If she falls in love and gets married in the future, she won't be able to do that at eighteen."
Emma smiled and nodded, but she felt Amelia would never find a boyfriend. Thinking of her dependence on Liam, Emma couldn't help but shake her head.
"By the way, Sister Wei, haven't you contacted Brother Elijah these past two days? Last night when I went for my regular check-up, he asked about you."
Emilia's question caught Emma off guard. She had indeed forgotten to call Elijah. But since nothing had happened, she didn't feel the need to contact him.
If he wanted to say something, he could call her himself.
"What did he want?"
"Nothing specific. But I could tell he misses you." Emilia said to Emma.
"I see. I'll call him when I have time."
"Brother Elijah looks much thinner. Maybe it's because he went to Portland. His family isn't there, and no one takes care of him. It's pitiful." Emilia sighed, her eyes flickering with concern as she watched Emma's expression. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corner of her lips before disappearing.
After leaving the break room, Emma decided to call Elijah. She told Emilia to go ahead, then dialed his number in the hallway, telling him to take better care of himself.
Emilia went upstairs first, just as Liam returned from a meeting. Seeing her come back alone, he couldn't help but ask about Emma.
"Sister Wei is downstairs calling Brother Elijah. She said Brother Elijah hasn't been well lately, and his family isn't around. So she's worried about him." Emilia spoke carelessly, telling Liam about Emma's call to Elijah.
Christopher Martin watched Emilia with a headache. He didn't know how to read her. How had she become a friend of the president's wife?
Didn't she know the bad blood between the president and that Elijah Clark?
He stole a glance at the president's face. As expected, it was cold, tinged with a hint of gloom.
Fortunately, the meeting was over, sparing everyone from a disaster.
When Emma returned to the office, she saw Liam sitting on a black leather chair, frowning at her. She wondered what had happened, as if he was in a bad mood.
"Is something wrong with the company?" Emma looked at Liam and asked.
"No." The man's answer was cold.
Emma stepped forward, reaching out her index finger to stroke the space between his brows, trying to smooth his frown.
"Don't frown all the time for no reason. You're only thirty. If you keep this up, it won't be good for you."
Liam looked at Emma in surprise. He hadn't expected her to react this way. The questions he had intended to ask were left unspoken. He stretched out his long arm, pulled her into his lap, and pressed his thin, cool lips to her soft cheek. "Alright," he whispered softly.
Liam never knew he could tolerate so much for a woman. That he would even lose his own principles.