Chapter 177

Morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains. Emily Smith opened her eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment.

Her phone screen lit up with a message from Daniel Chen: "I'm waiting downstairs."

Her finger hovered over the screen before she finally replied with a single word: "Okay."

Inside the recording studio, Emily immersed herself in her work with complete focus. Daniel sat outside, watching her concentrated profile through the glass window.

"Cut!" the director called. "That's a wrap."

Emily removed her headphones and stepped out. Daniel immediately handed her a thermos. Her fingers trembled slightly as she took it, nearly spilling the water.

"Careful," he said, reaching out to steady her, but she subtly avoided his touch.

Silence hung like an invisible wall in the car on the way back. Daniel opened his mouth several times but ultimately only adjusted the air conditioning two degrees warmer.

Outside her apartment building, the night was deep.

"We're here," Daniel said, stopping the car and turning to look at her.

Emily unbuckled her seatbelt. Suddenly, he leaned toward her. Instinctively, she flinched back, her shoulders pressing against the car door.

Daniel froze, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes before he forced a casual smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," she murmured, quickly exiting the car without looking back as she headed for the elevator.

The moment the elevator doors closed, Daniel slammed his fist against the steering wheel. The sharp honk startled a night bird from the trees.

He pulled out his phone and dialed his mother.

"Mom, what exactly did you say to Emily yesterday?" His voice was icy.

The faint clink of a teacup came from the other end. "What could she have told you? Probably just some self-righteous nonsense."

"What's this about fifty thousand?" Daniel cut straight to the point.

His mother hesitated. "She told you? Seems she didn't mind taking the money after all."

"She never accepted it!" Daniel's voice rose sharply. "Mom, do you even know how much she earns in a month now?"

"How much could a voice actor possibly make?" His mother scoffed. "Daniel, don't be fooled by her. I looked into it—she's involved with William Johnson from BestTech—"

"Enough!" Daniel snapped. "I'm coming over."

Hanging up, he stared at the lit window of her apartment for a long moment before abruptly turning the car around.

Twenty minutes later, Daniel stood in the underground garage of Jinzhou Bay, dialing William Johnson's number.

"I'm downstairs."

A faint rustle of fabric came through the phone before William's deep, amused voice replied, "Interesting."

A sliver of light from the master bedroom cut across the floor. Amanda Lin emerged in a silk nightgown that accentuated her curves.

"Going out this late?" She leaned against the doorframe, her gaze lingering on the loose collar of William's robe.

William tightened the belt without turning. "Business to handle."

As the elevator doors closed, Amanda caught the dangerous curve of his lips.

The garage lights were harsh. Daniel stood by a pillar, shadows obscuring his expression.

Footsteps approached. William strode over in his robe, his collar revealing a glimpse of golden skin.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he said lazily, stopping three paces away. "Surely you didn't come at this hour to discuss scripts, Director Chen?"

Daniel's fists clenched, veins bulging. "What exactly is your relationship with her?"

William arched a brow before letting out a low laugh. The sound echoed through the empty garage, slicing through the night like a blunt knife.