Chapter 148

Emily's fingers trembled slightly.

Her gaze lingered on Sam's face for a moment before she finally stepped into the car.

The door slammed shut with a sharp thud.

Sam quickly started the engine, and the black sedan glided silently into the night.

She sat pressed against the window, her peripheral vision catching William reclining motionless against the leather seat.

The icy aura surrounding him seemed to drop the temperature inside the car.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, clutching the hem of her shirt.

"I didn't know you and Miss Lin were at the apartment."

William remained still, like a statue carved from ice.

"I just..." Her throat tightened.

"I needed to retrieve the USB drive I left in the guest room."

"USB drive?" William's eyes snapped open, a cold glint flashing in them.

"What could possibly be so important that you'd sneak in at midnight?"

"It's blue, in a box inside the desk drawer." She met his gaze steadily.

"If you've seen it—"

"You want me to fetch it for you?" His lips curled into a sneer as his long fingers suddenly gripped her chin.

"That important?"

Emily nodded, hearing the faint crack of his knuckles.

"Perfect." Dark flames flickered in his eyes.

"Even a damn USB drive is worth more than me."

Silence stretched between them.

"Forget it." She turned her face away.

"Just stop the car."

"You don't get to decide." William tightened his grip abruptly.

"Emily, who the hell do you think you are?"

The mechanical sound of the partition lowering made her tense.

Before she could react, she was yanked into his arms.

"Let me—"

His scorching lips smothered her protest.

He tore at her blouse like unwrapping a prize, buttons scattering with sharp clicks.

"William!" She drove her knee toward his stomach, but he easily blocked her.

His burning palms seared her waist, leaving trails of shivers in their wake.

The once-familiar touch now only made her sick.

"Stop pretending," he growled against her ear.

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

Tears splashed onto the back of his hand.

She suddenly went still.

"Does Amanda know you're like this?"

The words acted like a switch.

William paused, then ripped her skirt open with renewed brutality.

The car jolted violently.

In the rearview mirror, Sam stared rigidly at the road ahead, beads of sweat forming at his temples.