Chapter 161

Emily Smith hurried back to Mia Harris's apartment at a jog.

She rushed into the bathroom, her fingertips still trembling slightly as the hot water cascaded over her body.

After hastily drying her hair, she grabbed a dress and slipped it on, not even bothering with makeup before bolting out the door.

In the elevator, she touched up her lipstick against the metallic wall.

The mirror reflected her slightly pale face.

The familiar black car was parked outside the apartment.

Daniel Chen sat in the driver's seat, the window halfway down, his gaze distant.

As Emily approached, she noticed his slender fingers absently tapping the steering wheel.

"Daniel."

She called his name twice before he seemed to snap out of his thoughts and turned to her.

A gentle smile curved his lips, but there was something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

"You seem distracted today," Emily remarked casually as she fastened her seatbelt.

Daniel started the car with a light chuckle. "Pulled an all-nighter revising a proposal. Just a bit out of it."

He paused. "Don't make me wait so long next time."

Emily's heart skipped a beat. She had left ten minutes early.

As they drove past the Four Seasons Hotel, both of them instinctively glanced at the opulent building.

Emily's nails dug into her palm—she saw William Johnson stepping out of the revolving doors, his tall frame accentuated by the black suit.

At the same moment, Daniel spotted him too.

His grip on the steering wheel tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white.

"Watch out!"

A sharp honk shattered the morning quiet.

Emily's startled cry was cut short as the car swerved violently, scraping against a white sedan in the next lane with a screech.

"Are you okay?" Daniel immediately turned to check on her.

Emily shook her head, but she noticed the fine beads of sweat forming at his temples.

This wasn't the composed Daniel she knew—the ever-unflappable senior.

The other driver stormed over angrily.

Daniel efficiently handled the insurance details before flagging down a taxi for her.

"Go ahead to the recording studio," he said, opening the door for her, his voice uncharacteristically tender. "Meet me at the usual spot for lunch."

Emily hesitated, wanting to say more.

In the rearview mirror, Daniel stood watching her leave, his figure growing smaller until it disappeared around the corner.

She clutched her bag strap tightly.

Inside was the hotel keycard she hadn't had the chance to return.