Emma turned and didn't look back again. She had no idea if Liam was still standing behind her, and her enthusiasm for shopping had completely faded.
"Mommy, look at Daddy." Charlie suddenly pointed to a mirror placed at a slight angle ahead of them.
Emma hadn't noticed the mirror at first. She was about to say that even if Liam was still there, he'd be behind them, not in front. But when she lifted her gaze, she caught his reflection.
A pair of steady eyes were fixed directly on her.
Emma quickly looked away, grabbed Charlie's hand, and hurried forward.
She spotted a little black dress in a shop window. Without even trying it on, she bought it on impulse and rushed Charlie out of the mall.
Just as they reached the entrance, Emma froze. When they'd arrived, the sun had been blazing. Now, dark clouds had rolled in, and rain was pouring down in sheets.
She could handle getting soaked herself, but Charlie was with her. Emma had no idea what to do.
It was the weekend, so the mall was packed. The parking lot had been full when they arrived, forcing Emma to park a few hundred meters away.
Through the heavy rain, a figure suddenly emerged—a man holding a black umbrella, with another tucked under his arm.
"Christopher?" Emma called out instinctively.
Christopher gave a slight nod and handed her the unopened umbrella. "Miss Emma, Mr. Williams sent me to take you home."
Of course. It was Liam's doing. A flicker of emotion passed through Emma's eyes. She took the umbrella and said, "I'll take it. After all, it's his duty to protect Charlie. But my car is just ahead. No need to trouble yourself further."
Christopher knew Emma's temperament well. Seeing that she had accepted the umbrella, he didn't insist. He simply watched as she walked away under the black canopy.
When Liam stepped out, he saw two figures disappearing beneath the black umbrella—one graceful, the other lively and adorable. He couldn't help but stare a little longer.
"Sir, these are the finest dresses of the season, delivered by the stores as soon as they got the news. Which one would you like to send to Miss Emma's home?" Christopher asked, having the dresses laid out before Liam.
"Not this one, not that one, and not those two. Send the rest."
"Yes, sir." Christopher noted the instructions, picked up the rejected dresses, and turned to leave.
Henry Williams was in the hall. Seeing the dresses, he asked, "Are all these for Emma?"
"Yes, sir."
"How are things progressing?"
Christopher's eyes flickered with hesitation. "It seems there's been no progress."
"No progress?" Henry raised an eyebrow. He'd started sending dresses, and still nothing had changed. It seemed his son was moving far too slowly.
"Is there a party coming up?"
"Mr. Ethan Davis is hosting a birthday banquet at his private villa tomorrow," Christopher replied truthfully.
A party?
Henry's mind began to churn. If Emma went, Charlie would go too. He hadn't seen the boy in days.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave, sir."
"Yes, you may go."
As Christopher turned, he cast a final glance at Henry. Did the old man really not plan to show up at Ethan's villa to see his grandson?
Christopher frowned. If the old man actually went, the banquet—which was supposed to be a young people's affair—would be ruined. Ethan's expression tomorrow would be anything but pleasant.
And Emma's expression, when she received the dresses, was equally sour.
Knowing she would likely refuse them, Christopher delivered them personally.
Emma opened the door and, seeing it was him, immediately tried to close it.
"Miss Emma, I'm alone," Christopher said quickly.
Hesitating, Emma opened the door again.
"What do you want?"
Christopher handed her the paper bags. "These are from Mr. Williams."
Emma glanced at the logo and knew immediately they were dresses. Judging by the number of bags, there were quite a few.
"Take them back. I won't accept his gifts."
Seeing her firm refusal, Christopher quickly added, "Miss Emma, you know Mr. Williams's temper. If you don't accept them, he'll just send them again. Whether you wear them or not, it's better to keep them for now."
A thought flickered in Emma's eyes. She knew Liam was exactly as Christopher described. After a moment's hesitation, she took the bags.
"I'm taking them this time, not because of Liam, but because of you. But if he sends anything again, I won't accept it, even if you're the one delivering it." Emma's tone was resolute. "Since you've delivered the goods, you must have other things to do. I won't invite you in."
"I understand. I'll be going now."
As Christopher turned away, Emma closed the door.
In an instant, a small head popped up beside her. "Wow! Mommy, did Daddy send those?"
Emma looked at the curious little face darting around the paper bags and couldn't help but smile. "They're not for you. What are you so excited about?"
"How do you know there's nothing for me without even opening them?" Charlie pouted, looking displeased.
"See for yourself." Emma smiled again and ruffled his hair.
Charlie immediately darted away from her and began rummaging through the bags.
"Huh? There really isn't anything for me..." His little face fell, his lips pursed, and his eyes dimmed.
When he saw Emma still laughing, he jumped up and down. "Mommy is laughing at me!"
Watching his angry expression, Emma laughed even harder. She never thought she'd see the day when her son would be jealous of her. But next time Charlie went to Sunrise Manor, she'd have to give Liam a piece of her mind.
Far away at Sunrise Manor, Liam suddenly sneezed. After recovering, he looked at Christopher, who had just returned to report. "What did you say?"
"Sir, madam has accepted all the dresses."
"Did she say anything?"
Say anything? How could Christopher possibly repeat their entire conversation?
"She didn't say much. She didn't want to accept them at first, but when she saw I insisted on delivering them, she had no choice but to take them," Christopher said.
"I see. You may go."