"Yes."
"Good."
"Everything's set up at the company, right?"
"Yes, I'll be right over."
Emma watched Liam take a phone call, then start pulling clothes from the closet. She tilted her head and observed him quietly.
"Charlie, go out now, sweetheart." Liam touched Charlie's little head and said, "Mommy needs to change. We're leaving soon."
"Okay."
They had just returned from Sunrise Manor. Before she could even exchange a few words with Liam, he'd been on the phone. Judging by the urgency, he was heading out soon—and it was a very formal occasion.
Charlie hung his head and walked out of the room.
A moment later, Liam emerged from the bedroom. He crouched down, a gentle smile on his lips. His slender, pale hands rested lightly on Charlie's shoulders.
"Charlie, Mommy has to go."
"Mommy, what's happening at the company?" Charlie's eyes were wide and reluctant, blinking with a hint of grievance. They'd only just come back from Sunrise Manor, and he hadn't even had a chance to spend any time with Liam before he had to leave again.
"Well, Mommy has something very important to do today. When I get back, I'll take you out for something delicious, and then we'll go play together."
Charlie nodded obediently.
At the front door, Liam slipped on his shoes and glanced back at Charlie a few times with nostalgia before finally leaving.
After all, they had lived together day and night for five years. Suddenly, after being separated and then reunited, they hadn't stayed together long before he had to leave again. Thinking about it made Liam's heart ache.
But this was truly important—more important than the past few days. He had to handle it personally.
A lot of groundwork had been laid. Today was the first time Liam would formally meet all the employees of New York Fashion Magazine. The entire company, from the highly paid editors-in-chief to the office staff, would gather in the largest conference hall on the top floor at 11 a.m. to meet their new chairman, Liam Williams.
Originally, Liam hadn't cared. He figured everyone would find out sooner or later anyway, and he had no intention of hiding it.
But from what he understood, Ava had done a lot of advertising and planning. She must have been caught off guard, forced to present herself in front of the company like this.
After all, most of New York Fashion Magazine's employees were old-timers. Some had been promoted, some demoted. Most of them knew Liam.
When Liam walked through the revolving glass doors into the building, he caught his reflection in the large mirror in the lobby and couldn't help but smile.
If Ava knew that he hadn't taken the meeting seriously and had just shown up in a casual suit, all her efforts to hide would be for nothing. He wondered if she'd be furious.
But even Liam didn't realize how stunning he looked. He wore a light green chiffon jacket, paired with sharp wide-leg trousers and dark high heels. He looked effortlessly beautiful yet elegant. His makeup was light, as always, but still appropriate for the occasion.
It was work hours at New York Fashion Magazine, and the lobby was full of people. From the moment Liam walked in, he drew a lot of attention.
There were glowing, appreciative looks from the newly hired employees, as well as surprised stares from the old-timers who had once worked alongside him.
Perhaps no one had expected that the woman who had left the magazine to marry into a wealthy family would return five years after divorcing Liam Williams and disappearing from the country.
And she was making a triumphant comeback.
Just as Liam was about to step onto the escalator, the entire lobby suddenly erupted in commotion, then fell silent in an instant.
Then, Liam heard the sound of high heels clicking on the polished floor.
His brow furrowed slightly, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth. He had heard from Ava that Isabella was coming to New York Fashion Magazine today.
Thinking about how much work the magazine's employees had done to successfully recruit Isabella, Liam naturally separated public and private matters. He didn't want personal grudges to affect the company's interests.
After all, the company's revenue wasn't great, its reputation was declining, and its position in the fashion and magazine world was slipping lower and lower.
If they didn't find a way to save it, they might go bankrupt at any moment.
Having Isabella, now a top model, shoot their cover—and possibly collaborate further—would create a sensational effect.
In other words, if they wanted to bring New York Fashion Magazine back from the brink, Isabella was the fastest way.
Liam knew Isabella was coming today and had been prepared. That's why he had arrived at the company so early. He wanted to avoid her, to prevent any unnecessary arguments that would hurt the harmony and ruin the cooperation between the magazine and Isabella. He was afraid there would be complaints within the company.
But Liam hadn't expected such a narrow escape.
Even though he had tried his best, he still couldn't avoid Isabella.
Listening to the sound of Isabella's high heels clicking on the floor, Liam turned around and met her charming gaze.
At that moment, their eyes met. Two similar faces were put together—one bright, one dark; one heavy, one light—but both were beautiful.
For a moment, it made people feel that light makeup was always appropriate.
But with a few more glances, those watching immediately understood.
Although Isabella was already an artist with Pinnacle Corporation and a top model, she couldn't compare to Liam in appearance or temperament.
At that moment, those who didn't know Liam suddenly realized.
A few years ago, everyone knew that Isabella's cousin, Liam, had been the editor-in-chief of New York Fashion Magazine. She had married into a wealthy family, the man every woman dreamed of: Liam Williams.
Although the divorce a year later was truly surprising, it was still published in major magazines. But Liam was truly a woman touched by a strong legend.
People who had never met Liam were excited when the magazine recruited them. They were thrilled to have a chance to meet this woman.
They just hadn't expected her to look dozens of times better than the photos they had seen before.
Just as everyone was buzzing with excitement, Isabella's words came down like a bucket of cold water.
"Get this woman out of the company right now, or I'll refuse to cooperate with New York Fashion Magazine."