Chapter 164

On Monday morning, Emily Smith was buried in paperwork when Lily White suddenly sidled up to her with a conspiratorial air.

"Emily, look!" She waved her phone excitedly. "Vice President Johnson's wedding photos just leaked! They look like a poster for a romantic drama!"

The image of William Johnson and Amanda Lin gazing at each other made Emily's fingers tremble. She forced a smile.

"They do make a handsome couple," she heard herself say calmly.

Lily lowered her voice. "Rumor has it the Lins originally tried to match Amanda with Alexander Johnson, but the Johnsons refused. Who knew Vice President Johnson would—"

"I'm not interested in office gossip," Emily interrupted, her fingers tapping absently on the keyboard.

"Oh come on, I'm just curious." Lily persisted. "Did you see how lavish Sophia Song and Alexander's engagement party was? Compared to that—"

"Lily," Emily looked up suddenly. "Why do you think he chose her?"

"True love, obviously!" Lily declared. "With BestTech's current standing, he could've picked someone from an equally prominent family—"

"Good morning, Vice President Johnson!"

The sudden chorus of greetings silenced them. Emily looked up to meet William's inscrutable gaze.

His long fingers tapped her desk. "Gossiping during work hours?"

Lily turned pale. But Emily stood slowly, her professional smile flawless. "We were discussing corporate culture. Your exemplary commitment to monogamy is something all employees should learn from."

William's eyes darkened. He glanced at his wedding photo on Lily's phone and gave a cold laugh.

"Miss Smith seems particularly interested in my personal life?"

The office fell silent. Emily felt dozens of eyes boring into her back.

"As employees, we naturally wish our leaders happiness," she replied smoothly. "Congratulations on your marriage."

Michael Thompson rushed over to defuse the tension, but William raised a hand to stop him. He leaned close to Emily's ear, his voice barely audible:

"Stay late tonight. I expect an explanation."

Emily clenched her pen. Ink bled across the document like the wound in her heart that refused to heal.