Chapter 178

The elevator doors slid open at the basement level.

William Johnson stepped out lazily, draped in a silk robe. The cold garage lights accentuated the sharp contours of his profile, making him appear even more aloof and aristocratic.

Daniel Chen's car was parked right in front of the elevator. Through the windshield, he caught sight of William's disheveled state. His knuckles turned white as he flung the car door open and stormed out.

"William Johnson!" Daniel swung a fist straight at his face.

William tilted his head, narrowly avoiding the blow. The hem of his robe fluttered gracefully in the air. When the second punch came, he caught Daniel's wrist with precision.

"Such anger in the middle of the night?" William chuckled lowly, his eyes reflecting the harsh garage lights.

Daniel wrenched his hand free, chest heaving. "You know exactly what you did!"

"Oh?" William leisurely adjusted the sash of his robe. "Do enlighten me."

"Stop playing dumb!" Daniel sneered. "You dug up Emily's past and threw it in my mother's face. Couldn't stand seeing us happy, could you, Mr. Johnson?"

A flicker passed through William's gaze as he noticed a flash of red by the elevator. His lips curved. "Is that all?"

"You think this will tear us apart?" Daniel followed his line of sight and smirked when he saw Amanda Lin standing there. "Sorry to disappoint you."

Amanda lingered by the elevator, her silk nightgown clinging to her waist in the draft.

Before getting back into his car, Daniel deliberately raised his voice. "By the way, Emily spent the night at my place yesterday—thanks to you, Mr. Johnson."

The engine roared as William turned away expressionlessly. When he passed Amanda, she reached for his arm, but he subtly evaded her touch.

"William..." Amanda hurried after him into the elevator.

As the metal doors closed, William pressed the button for the penthouse. "Don’t you have anything better to do?"

Her manicured fingers trailed over his chest. "Jealous?"

The Monday morning meeting had just ended when Emily Smith walked out of the conference room, files in hand. Grace Lee approached in stiletto heels, drawing sharp intakes of breath from those nearby.

"Miss Smith." Grace offered a professional smile. "The Vice President requests your presence upstairs immediately."

The weight of curious stares prickled Emily's back. She tightened her grip on the folder. "Did he say why?"

"How would I know the Vice President's business?" Grace stepped aside, gesturing toward the elevator. "This way, please."

The elevator ascended straight to the top floor. When the frosted glass door of the Vice President's office closed behind her, Emily heard the soft creak of a leather chair turning.

Silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows, William twirled a pen between his fingers, its metallic glint cold and sharp.

"Come here." His voice gave nothing away.