Chapter 127
He had her WeChat.
He had her phone number.
Yet he deliberately called the company landline to reach her.
The message behind this action couldn't be clearer.
Emily Smith felt as if an invisible hand had clenched around her heart, squeezing so hard that her eyes instantly reddened. She bit her lower lip fiercely, forcing herself to pick up the phone. "Vice President Johnson, you wanted to see me?"
"Come upstairs."
His voice was cold as ice, devoid of any warmth. Emily’s tears finally spilled over. She hastily replied with a "Yes" and nearly slammed the receiver down.
She rushed into the restroom, locking herself in a stall. The mirror reflected her red-rimmed eyes—a pitiful sight of defeat. Digging her nails into her palms, she scolded herself for breaking down over something like this.
Hadn’t she seen this ending coming all along?
From the very beginning, what existed between her and William Johnson was nothing more than a transaction with clearly defined terms. Now that it was over, what right did she have to grieve?
Emily splashed cold water on her face until no trace of tears remained. She fixed her expression and headed to the 67th floor.
"Good morning, Emily," Grace Lee greeted with a smile, though her gaze lingered on Emily’s slightly swollen eyelids.
"Good morning, Grace," Emily forced a smile and walked straight toward the heavy office door.
She knocked lightly.
"Come in."
William didn’t even look up. Emily kept her head down, her eyes fixed on the corner of his desk.
The air was suffocatingly still.
"Do you need anything, Vice President Johnson?" she broke the silence first, her voice eerily calm.
William finally lifted his gaze, his dark eyes boring into her like knives, slicing through her fragile composure.
When he remained silent, Emily spoke again. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll return to my work."
She turned to flee the oppressive space.
"Emily Smith."
His voice struck her like a thunderclap, freezing her in place.
"It ends here. Move out of Jinzhou Bay today."
Two simple sentences drained all the strength from her body. Emily clenched her fists so tightly her nails nearly pierced her palms.
"Fine," she heard herself say. "I packed everything last night. I’ll collect my things after work."
She practically bolted, keeping her head down as she rushed toward the elevator. The doors slid open—and she collided with a soft figure.
"Watch your step."
The voice sent a jolt through her. Emily looked up and met the smiling eyes of Amanda Lin.
That flawlessly made-up face radiated the ease of a victor.