That afternoon, Elijah drove with Mia in the passenger seat. Watching Mia through the rearview mirror, Emma felt a flicker of unease. In that moment, she finally understood why Olivia had been so wary. Mia seemed fragile, the kind of person who made others want to protect her. But sometimes, she was just a little hard to stomach.
Mia had no idea what Emma was thinking. She was busy sighing dramatically in the car with Elijah.
"Elijah, did you see how nice our CEO is to Emma? But he looked kind of angry earlier. I hope he doesn't take it out on her when they get back."
Mia spoke while watching Elijah's expression through the rearview mirror.
"He won't."
Elijah thought about what had happened that morning—the way Emma had complained about him before she left. He had clearly seen how swollen her lips were. It was obvious that Liam had kissed her hard. The image burned in his mind.
"Who knows? Our CEO has a temper. He's nice when things are good, but when they're bad... it's not easy being his wife."
Mia's words trailed off, leaving the implication hanging in the air. She noticed Elijah's hands tighten on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. A faint, strange smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"Emma isn't the kind of girl who lets herself be pushed around. You've been her friend long enough—don't you know her personality?"
Elijah made an excuse, trying to defend her.
"Emma is strong. That's how she became editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine so young. But the CEO is stronger. Maybe it's like they say—everyone has their match. Honestly, I think someone gentle and warm, like you, Elijah, would be better for her. The CEO's temper isn't very gentle. I see it every day in the secretariat."
Mia saw the veins bulging on the back of Elijah's hand and arm as he gripped the wheel. She knew he was almost at his breaking point. A meaningful smile spread across her face. Even when Elijah didn't reply, she didn't care.
She suddenly remembered what Adrian Frost had told her. Elijah was a decisive, ruthless man. But when it came to Emma, he hesitated again and again. It was because he cared too much about what she thought of him. That was why he was moving so slowly in taking her back from Liam.
Sometimes, he needed a little push. Otherwise, who knew when he would finally bring Emma to his side?
After her words sank in, Mia could tell from Elijah's reaction that he was about to take action soon.
Liam didn't go to the company today. Instead, he drove straight to Sunrise Manor with Emma. When they arrived, Henry Williams was just hanging up the phone in the living room.
Seeing them come in, he called out to Liam.
"You're back just in time. I just got off the phone with your sister, Amelia. She said she wants to come back early. I told her you'd pick her up tomorrow."
Liam's eyes darkened slightly, but he didn't argue with the old man. He just gave a faint reply.
Emma held Little White, who was happily nuzzling her feet, and sighed inwardly. Amelia was coming back. She hoped everyone could live in peace.
She didn't have much of an opinion about Liam personally picking her up.
When they returned to the bedroom, Emma did her best to pack for him. She knew that Liam was still a little upset about the misunderstanding on the phone earlier. Even though she was innocent, she was still one of the parties involved.
So she decided to be proactive, like a good wife. That way, Liam wouldn't keep dwelling on what happened that morning.
Watching Emma's back as she busied herself, Liam felt a surge of warmth. He loved seeing her busy herself for him. It gave him a deep sense of satisfaction.
The next day, Liam temporarily handed over the company's affairs to Christopher Martin. After all, he would be back soon.
Emma didn't go to the company either, since Liam had already left on the plane. She was busy working on the project proposal in her office. That way, everything would be ready before the new year, and it would be easier to implement afterward.
At noon, she suddenly received a call from Elijah.
"Emma, can you come out this afternoon?"
Elijah asked.
"What's up?"
Emma asked.
"I heard today is the anniversary of Oakwood High, our old school. I think it's a rare opportunity, so I plan to go check it out. Would you like to come with me?"
Elijah's words brought back memories of Emma's youth. She happily nodded and agreed. Although Elijah offered to pick her up from the company, Emma refused. She planned to drive herself and agreed to meet him at the gate near the school.
Just as she hung up, Emilia knocked on the door and came in, smiling at Emma.
"Emma, what should we have for lunch today?"
"I'm sorry, I'm going to the school with Elijah, so I can't eat with you."
Emma looked at Emilia apologetically. A flicker of something passed through Emilia's eyes. She hadn't expected Elijah to act so fast. Was he going to play the nostalgia card? The smile on Emilia's lips deepened unconsciously.
"It's okay. I'll eat with the other colleagues. Have fun, Emma."
Emma always felt that Emilia's last sentence sounded a little strange, but she didn't want to dwell on it. So she smiled and nodded, then gathered the documents on her desk. She looked at her hair and went to the restroom to freshen up.
Emilia watched Emma as she didn't come out immediately. Her eyes flickered. She closed the door again and went back into the office. Instead of leaving, she walked over to Liam's desk, opened the first drawer, and saw a USB drive inside. She quickly picked it up and slipped it into her pocket. Then, pretending nothing had happened, she went back to the door. When Emma came out, she left the office with her.
After Emma left, Emilia returned to her desk. She turned on her laptop and, when no one was looking, copied the contents of the USB drive onto her computer.