Chapter 150

Emily Smith was organizing meeting minutes when Mia Harris's message popped up.

"Lunch together? Mom just got fresh bluefin tuna."

Emily glanced at the calendar, her fingertip brushing lightly over the number 22.

It was the same private room at the Japanese restaurant. As she pushed the door open, Emily froze mid-step.

At the center of the lavish sashimi platter sat an exquisite cream cake, candlelight flickering over the number "22."

"Happy birthday, my love."

Mia wrapped her arms around Emily from behind, presenting a Tiffany-blue gift box. Inside lay a diamond-studded smile pendant, glimmering in the candlelight.

"It suits you." Mia gently pinched Emily's flushed earlobe. "Just like how you always face life with a smile."

Emily lowered her head to fasten the necklace, the diamonds warm against her collarbone. The sterile scent of disinfectant from last year's birthday still lingered in her memory, but now the room was filled with the sweetness of salmon.

"I have to attend Grandma's birthday dinner tonight, so lunch is all I can spare." Mia placed a slice of fatty tuna on Emily's plate. "Eat extra for me."

Emily nodded with a smile, the candlelight casting delicate sparks in her eyes.

Meanwhile, on the 67th floor of BestTech Tower, William Johnson loosened his tie by the floor-to-ceiling window. Across the street, Daniel Chen was pulling an extravagant bouquet of blue roses from his car trunk.

He remembered the date on her resume. Today was her 22nd birthday.

At 6:05 PM, Emily appeared at the building's entrance. When Daniel approached her, the blue roses burned vividly under the sunset.

William watched the girl's lips curve as she accepted the flowers, his knuckles rapping a dull rhythm against the glass.

"William?"

Amanda Lin entered just as he stared absently at the fading taillights.

"Mother wants us back at the mansion for dinner." She linked her arm with his, the scent of her perfume overwhelming.

As the black Maybach passed through the commercial district, William caught sight of Daniel helping Emily try on a bracelet in front of a jewelry store window. The girl's upturned profile, illuminated by neon lights, was strikingly vivid.

Suddenly, he recalled the trembling of her lashes when she resisted him last night, his Adam's apple bobbing involuntarily. The uncontrollable restlessness made him roll up the window in irritation.

Amanda flipped through an auction catalog, her diamond earrings casting cold glints with each movement. William closed his eyes, but all he could see was another face—bare and serene.