Amelia White's hands were clenched so tightly that her fingernails had broken.
When she finally forced herself to turn around and walk away, it felt like lead weights were attached to her feet, making every step agonizingly difficult.
Emma Johnson.
Her mind kept chewing on those two words, over and over, as if grinding them to dust would somehow bring her peace.
The old man noticed that only Amelia had come downstairs, and she didn't look well at all. He asked, confused.
"Weren't you going to invite Liam and Emma for dinner? Why did you come down alone?"
Amelia took a deep breath, finally suppressing the dark flames burning in her chest. She turned to him with a sweet smile plastered on her face.
"It seems my brother and sister-in-law have things to discuss. Let's eat first."
"Maybe it's because the year is ending. They probably need to talk about business matters. After all, this has been a turbulent year for the company. We need to reward our employees properly at the end of the year."
The old man thought about it and smiled at Amelia.
Year-end activities?
Amelia's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything more. She quietly accompanied the old man to dinner.
Emma was completely exhausted by Liam. Finally, she grabbed his arm and bit down hard. The man didn't try to pull away. Not until she tasted the metallic sweetness of blood in her mouth did she finally stop.
"You're really something. Biting like a wild animal."
Liam's cold voice rang in Emma's ear, completely unconcerned about the wound on his arm. Emma glared at him and wrapped herself up in the quilt, not wanting to talk to him anymore. But the man wouldn't let her hide.
He pulled her close, his thin lips brushing against her earlobe. The light, ticklish sensation made Emma's still-sensitive body tremble slightly. She heard the man's low laughter in her ear, and her face turned as red as a pomegranate. She wanted to find something to cover his mouth.
"Emma, lying is a bad habit. You never seem to learn."
Liam's voice lingered around Emma. She turned back to glare at him angrily. But her eyes were as beautiful as water, the corners slightly lifted. That stare was like wearing a tiny hook, making Liam's eyes gradually darken again.
"Why do you call me a liar?"
"If you really had plans tonight, it's been two hours. Why hasn't anyone called you yet?"
Liam looked at Emma with his bright eyes. She was stunned, realizing there was nothing she could hide from this hateful man.
"I just haven't had time to contact them yet."
Emma's excuse sounded very reluctant. Liam smiled slightly, then got up and hugged her.
"What are you doing?"
Emma was pulled out of the warm quilt by him, defenseless. She subconsciously hugged the man tightly, which made his smile deepen.
"Going to the bathroom, of course."
Liam's voice fell as he carried her to the bathroom to take a bath. Once again, he couldn't help teasing her, as if trying to make up for all the days they had missed. Emma cursed Liam silently in her heart, but didn't dare say it out loud. Because she couldn't imagine what more the man would do. If she provoked him further, she would have no place to cry.
Finally, when Liam carried her out, Emma was so tired she didn't even want to say a word. Lying in Liam's arms, she almost fell asleep. Vaguely, she heard the sound of Liam changing the sheets with the servants. She felt her ears turn red with shame again.
"Don't sleep. You haven't eaten anything tonight. You'll be hungry."
Perhaps satisfied after eating and drinking, the man's lazy voice was full of contentment. He was finally gentle with Emma. Emma ignored him, thinking, You still remember dinner? What time is it now? She was so tired she didn't want to eat a single bite except to sleep.
"Tired? It's okay. I can feed you."
Liam's voice sounded again. Startled, Emma opened her eyes. She mercilessly glared at the man's teasing eyes. She remembered the last feeding experience had taught her enough lessons. She didn't want to try again.
So she reluctantly climbed out of bed and obediently followed Liam to eat in the kitchen downstairs. But her legs were a little weak, making it hard for her to stand. Not to mention walking. With the servants coming and going, she was too embarrassed to let Liam carry her again.
She could only walk reluctantly, cursing Liam from beginning to end in her heart. It was a secret relief.
At that moment, Amelia was sitting in the living room watching TV. When she saw them, she couldn't help smiling sweetly. Emma didn't want to talk to her, but she couldn't ignore her completely. She just greeted her lightly and then followed Liam into the kitchen.
Feeling a little cold behind her, Emma unconsciously turned around and found Amelia still looking at her. Although she was smiling, there was no smile in her eyes. Emma glanced faintly and then turned around again.
Now that she knew the reason, there was no need to think about it anymore.
The kitchen had kept dinner for them all this time. Emma looked at the food and found nothing she liked. So she just ate a few mouthfuls of rice and went back upstairs to sleep.
"At this hour, are you sure you're full?"
Liam frowned as he looked at the rice Emma had left behind.
Emma's arm was caught by him, and she couldn't leave. She couldn't help feeling impatient.
"I'm not hungry. You can eat. These are all carefully prepared by your good sister."
Emma's sneering voice, when heard by Liam, took on a different meaning. He couldn't help laughing, and then with a little effort, he made Emma sit on his lap and kissed her tender cheek.
"There's nothing you like to eat, is there?"
Emma rolled her eyes inwardly, but she didn't want to admit it. After all, it would be too mean. Actually, she wasn't usually so picky. But tonight, she had been dragged down to eat by this man because of her bad temper. As a result, she didn't like the food, which made her even more unhappy.
Liam put Emma back on the chair and asked her to wait for a while. Emma thought, If it's difficult, he'll have to do it himself. But a few seconds later, when she saw the man take out tomatoes and eggs from the refrigerator, she knew it was true.