Emma noticed he wasn't saying much during the drive. Was he upset again?
But this was good news, wasn't it? He should be happy.
At least everything was safe now.
Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, she stared blankly at the scenery passing by outside the window.
"If you have time, go look at wedding dresses on your own. I'll be busy for the next few days. After the Milan Fashion House press conference, we can almost set a date for the wedding." Liam's deep voice came from beside her.
"Oh... okay, I understand. You're not coming with me? Why don't we go together?"
Emma didn't want the media to catch her alone again, spinning stories about how Liam's new wife picked out her wedding dress by herself, hinting at trouble in their relationship.
"I mean, you can go take a first look. When I'm free in a couple of days, we'll go together." Liam had considered the media angle too. He didn't want any more scandals.
"Fine." Emma's reply was flat.
Other couples did everything together when they got married. But here she was, being sent off on her own because he was too busy.
He'd just said the acting had to be convincing.
This Liam guy wasn't committed at all.
Terrible reviews!
When autumn arrived each year, it was the busiest season in the city.
The promotion and launch of Milan Fashion House's new autumn and winter collection kept everyone at Pinnacle Corporation running nonstop.
Liam often worked late into the night, coming home long after Emma had fallen asleep. It showed just how much he cared about Milan Fashion House.
This time, the fashion design director for Milan Fashion House was a top-tier designer, Mr. Jameson, specially brought in from France. It had taken nearly five months to finalize the designs, all for the sake of promoting the Milan Fashion House brand.
And for this conference—from clothing design, production, processing, to final inspection—Liam had been personally involved every step of the way. Now, there was less than a week before the official launch.
Emma wasn't particularly busy. Although there was plenty to do at the magazine, the division of labor was very clear. So, as editor-in-chief, she was only really swamped at the end of the month.
After work, thinking it would be boring to go straight home to an empty house, she made plans with Olivia to go shopping and look at wedding dresses. But the bridal shop closed around seven.
"Let's go to your place for dinner. I haven't seen your parents in ages. Okay, honey?" Olivia had wanted to help her choose a dress, but fate wasn't cooperating.
...They'd have to try again next time.
"Alright, alright. Let's go to my place." Last time she'd gone home, Elijah had been there, and she hadn't spent much time with her parents. This time, it would make up for it.
Besides, wherever they went, they were both lazy.
When they arrived at the Johnson house, Olivia immediately turned on the charm when she saw Sophia and James. "Uncle, Auntie, long time no see! You two look younger every day. Auntie, your skin is still so amazing. I'm so jealous!"
"You little rascal, you're just like Emma—no conscience at all. It's been so long, and you didn't think to come home and see us?" Sophia scolded Olivia, but she was beaming inside.
Olivia's sweet talk was powerful enough to make Sophia and James happy, and they were more than willing to cook for them.
She and Emma sat on the sofa, sharing a bag of fries, watching TV and chatting.
Emma glanced back at the two people busy in the kitchen. "You really have a way with them. Otherwise, every time I come home, my mom nags me about this or that. It bores me to death."
"Be grateful. Your parents are so loving. Look at mine. What's that like?" Olivia rolled her eyes. "My parents are always traveling for business. It's hard to see them even once. You'd think I was an orphan."
Emma laughed. "You poor thing. Oh, by the way, Elijah is back. Did he come see you?"
She suddenly remembered that the three of them used to be close. This time, he'd definitely go find Olivia.
"Yeah, we had dinner together that day at The Waterfront..." Olivia giggled. "You know what? As soon as Mia saw him, it was like she'd seen a movie star. She went completely crazy."
"Really? She asked me to introduce Elijah to her last time. That girl, she's not actually serious, is she?" Emma said casually.
"I think she might be this time. But you know how Elijah feels about you. I think it's still up in the air..." Olivia took a sip of milk and continued, "Elijah's got great qualities, but compared to Liam, your husband is way better, huh?"
"Fifty-fifty. Liam isn't as great as you think. He..." Emma was about to continue when she heard a knock at the door.
She exchanged a puzzled look with Olivia. Then she slipped on her shoes and went to open the door. The woman standing in front of her was—
Isabella Miller?
Emma's face fell instantly. "What are you doing here? What do you want?"
Olivia heard the change in Emma's voice and turned her head curiously. Was it really her?
"Can I come in and talk? Cousin..." Isabella's voice was hoarse, and her face looked haggard.
Last time she'd come to the magazine to pick a fight, Emma hadn't settled things with her. And now she had the nerve to show up at her house.
Emma stepped back impatiently, making way for Isabella to enter.
Seeing that face, Olivia felt sick. "Oh, look who it is. The big model? Why aren't you having fun with your precious boyfriend? What are you doing here?"
Emma closed the door without bothering to look at her. She walked back to the sofa and sat down without a word.
Sophia heard someone come in and peeked her head out. Wasn't that Isabella?
The two families used to get along well. But because of this incident, they rarely spoke anymore. Word had it that Isabella's parents didn't approve of her being with Noah Taylor.
Isabella saw Sophia and whispered, "Auntie..."
Sophia's face turned even darker than Emma's. She glared at her fiercely. "Don't call me auntie. If you treated Emma like a sister, you wouldn't have done what you did. Isabella, how old are you? Can't you tell right from wrong?"
"I'm sorry... I know I was wrong, Auntie. Please forgive me, just this once." Isabella's tears started falling.
"What are you doing here, crying? Isabella, don't act like we owe you money. Are you crying? Get out of here. You're not welcome here!" Olivia felt her anger rising just looking at that face. When she did those things, why didn't she think it would come to this?