Chapter 132

"It was Miss Smith who settled the bill in advance," the cashier replied with a smile.

Michael Thompson frowned. "When did she pay? How much was the private room?"

"Right when you arrived." The cashier pulled up the receipt. "Total was 2,568."

"Refund it. I'll pay." Michael took out his phone.

"But—"

"Do it now." His tone left no room for argument.

The cashier had no choice but to comply.

Not far away, William Johnson's expression darkened the moment he heard "Miss Smith."

He hadn’t expected Michael to care so much about Emily.

A cold smirk curled his lips as he turned and walked toward the garden to take a call.

Inside the private room, Emily was laughing with her colleagues when her phone buzzed.

A bank notification showed the refund—the exact amount of their lunch.

Understanding immediately, she excused herself to the restroom and hurried out.

Michael had just finished paying when Emily rushed up to him.

"Boss!" Her eyes were slightly red.

He chuckled and ruffled her hair. "The celebration lunch is on me. That’s the rule."

William happened to return from the garden just then.

His gaze darkened as he caught sight of Michael’s hand in Emily’s hair and the faint redness in her eyes.

"But I promised to treat everyone..." Her voice trembled.

"Stop insisting on paying all the time," Michael said gently. "It makes the team uncomfortable."

Emily opened her mouth to protest, but he gently pulled her back toward the room.

Neither noticed William standing in the shadows.

His knuckles whitened around his phone, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

When Emily and her colleagues left later, two familiar figures stood at the cashier.

Amanda Lin clung to William’s arm, their silhouettes painfully perfect together.

"It’s Vice President Johnson!" a colleague gasped.

William turned at the sound.

Emily had no time to hide—their eyes locked.

Time seemed to freeze.

She quickly ducked behind a coworker, her heart pounding so hard it hurt.

The others stepped forward to greet him.

Michael smiled and nodded, but Emily stayed hidden at the back.

"William, are these your colleagues?" Amanda beamed.

William intertwined their fingers. "From the Business Department."

"Hello, everyone. I’m Amanda Lin, William’s girlfriend." She introduced herself with effortless grace.

The word "girlfriend" stabbed through Emily like a blade.

Her head snapped up—just in time to see their clasped hands.

Her nails dug into her palms, but she forced herself to stay composed.