"I've been working as your assistant ever since you returned from the military."
Christopher Martin answered Liam Williams while sweating profusely.
"Well, that does seem like a long time."
Liam's thoughtful remark suddenly drained the color from Christopher's face.
"You don't seem to have taken much time off over the years. Since we're dealing with this situation, how about I give you a vacation? You can go wherever you like. The holiday can be... unlimited."
Before Liam even finished speaking, Christopher felt as if the world was ending. Wasn't this basically putting him on ice?
"This time, sir, it was my fault. It will never happen again."
Christopher immediately admitted his mistake, adopting a very cooperative attitude.
"Do you think there will be a next time?"
Liam's cool response made Christopher realize he had said the wrong thing out of nervousness.
"No, never again."
Christopher almost raised his right hand to swear an oath.
When the car finally arrived at the villa, Liam didn't tell Christopher whether he had canceled the vacation plan after getting out. Christopher had a feeling he wouldn't be getting a good night's sleep tonight.
"And my wife?"
Entering the villa, Liam only saw the servants.
"Madam went back to the bedroom to rest."
The servant spoke respectfully.
Liam nodded lightly and was about to go upstairs when he suddenly noticed the dining table was full of food. Although the dishes were simple, they were quite rare for Liam.
He walked over and put a chopstick of shredded potatoes with peppers into his mouth. It tasted good—the salt was well-controlled. Liam then sampled a few other dishes. Although the food was a bit cold and some flavors had been affected, he still thought it was good.
After tasting every dish, Liam put down his chopsticks. Instead of telling the servants to clear the table, he went upstairs.
Opening the door, he saw the woman wrapped in her quilt. The lights in the room were off.
He knew Emma Johnson wasn't asleep. She was probably angry with him and didn't want to acknowledge him.
"After cooking such a feast, don't you want to eat it with me?"
Liam came to the bedside and lifted the corner of the quilt covering Emma's head. His deep, charming voice rang out slowly.
Emma emerged from the quilt and sat up to look at Liam. The anger in her heart flared up again, and her bright eyes widened.
A sarcastic curve formed on her cherry-red lips.
"Compared to the simple food downstairs, how could I compete with the champagne and beauties at The Sapphire Lounge? Besides, who said those dishes were prepared for you?"
Emma looked down at Liam.
But Liam's eyes were full of amusement. He rarely saw Emma jealous over him. It showed that deep down, she did care about him. So he wouldn't take her words to heart.
"Oh, then who were they for?"
Liam's eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Can't you see the stray cat outside?"
Liam had to admit—he had underestimated how jealous a woman could be.
"Emma, I can explain."
Liam rubbed his temples and spoke to her with a headache.
"What do you need to explain to me? Don't worry, President Liam. There's still more than half a year before our marriage ends. I won't interfere in your private life at all. I don't need your explanation."
Emma's tone left no room for discussion.
Although afterward, she began to regret it. She clearly wanted to hear Liam's explanation. She wanted to know why a woman was holding his phone. Why he ignored that woman's sarcasm. She wanted to know what position she held in his heart.
But when the words reached her lips, she became timid and retreated. She was afraid—afraid to learn that she had no place in this man's heart at all. So she preferred to build a thick barrier between herself and Liam immediately, before she got hurt.
Only this way could she protect her fragile heart.
As Emma's voice fell, Liam's deep eyes suddenly darkened.
"Emma, as I said, the way you lie isn't cute at all."
He lifted her chin and captured her soft lips before she could speak again. He tasted the sweetness of her mouth, deepening the kiss despite her struggles.
Emma hadn't expected Liam to end their confrontation in such a rude and direct way, leaving her speechless. When he carried her downstairs in a daze, Emma looked at the untouched table and didn't know how her anger flared up again.
"I'm not eating."
Looking at Liam picking up his chopsticks, Emma said angrily before he could take a bite.
"Since it's for me, why can't I eat it? Emma, I haven't eaten yet."
"..."
She couldn't believe it. She stared at the man in front of her, wondering when he had learned to act like this. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Emma didn't realize that after several months of marriage, Comrade Liam had gradually developed a set of philosophies for dealing with her. In short, don't reason with a woman who has lost her mind. Taking some unexpected actions would leave the other party helpless.
It seemed that truth came from practice. Emma was now speechless, while Liam finished his dinner with satisfaction.
When the servants saw this, they breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Madam had calmed down.
At night, when the two lay in bed, Liam told Emma the whole story of what happened at The Sapphire Lounge. He wrapped his arm around her slender waist and pressed his cool lips against her ear. His magnetic voice was low and charming.
"So it was all a misunderstanding."
Liam kissed Emma's soft earlobe, and his fingers traced down her delicate collarbone to touch her smooth skin.
He told Emma that when the drunk hotel girl answered his phone, he was still negotiating and fighting in the business meeting room. He didn't even have time to drink water, so where would he find time to go downstairs and find a woman for entertainment?
Besides, Liam had always been a clean freak. Even if he was worth hundreds of millions, he would never allow himself to be so reckless in life. It was just that Emma didn't want to believe him.