Chapter 145

He took two steps back, calmly straightening his shirt collar.

When the elevator doors opened again, Amanda Lin stood outside. William lifted his gaze, all traces of desire gone from his eyes, replaced by cold indifference.

The scene made Emily Smith look utterly disheveled. She stood inside the elevator, clothes rumpled, like a mistress caught in the act.

"William, you two—"

"Here to pick me up? Let's go."

William cut Amanda off, stepping out of the elevator and naturally wrapping an arm around her waist. His voice was uncharacteristically tender.

But Amanda didn’t move.

She stared at Emily inside the elevator and smirked. "Emily Smith? Working this late—or were you just waiting for William?"

Emily met their gaze head-on.

William’s back was turned, hiding his expression. But the hatred in Amanda’s eyes was almost tangible.

"I’ll let it slide this time," Amanda said, her red lips parting. "But if there’s a next time, I’ll remind you who his real girlfriend is."

She linked arms with William and walked away.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, Emily finally collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor.

She didn’t cry.

Someone like him wasn’t worth her tears.

On a quiet weekend morning, Emily’s fever broke.

After visiting her sister at the hospital, she went straight to the game company for a recording session.

On Tuesday evening, Ryan Harris invited her and Mia Harris to dinner.

"David Brown’s been detained for now," Ryan shared the good news. "But it’s unclear how long they’ll hold him."

"Bro, wasn’t David sentenced to years in prison before?" Mia asked, chewing on her straw. "Who got him out?"

"Rumor is the Johnson family intervened."

Emily’s grip on her chopsticks faltered.

"Which Johnson?" Mia pressed, glancing subtly at Emily.

"Alexander Johnson."

"Alexander Johnson?!" Mia’s eyes widened. "What connection does he have with David?"

Emily’s head snapped up.

"James Wilson is David’s cousin," Ryan explained. "James’ mother and Mrs. Johnson are cousins. He calls Alexander ‘uncle.’"

Emily suddenly remembered that night at The Royal Club.

James had indeed called William "little uncle."

"Then will Alexander try to—" Mia started, but Emily tugged her sleeve.

"Thank you, Ryan," Emily said softly. "Even a short detention is better than nothing."

Ryan nodded. "If he gets released, we’ll figure something out."

Emily smiled faintly.

So she’d misjudged William.

But then again, this wasn’t the first time she’d misunderstood him.