Chapter 205

Daniel Chen's fingers lightly traced Emily Smith's nose bridge, his eyes brimming with tenderness.

"Just kidding," he suddenly said seriously. "I have a business trip with the station leaders tomorrow. It'll take about three or four days."

Emily looked up at him.

"I've already arranged for a driver," he brushed away the stray hairs on her forehead. "He'll pick you up from Leap Studios on time every day."

Ever since the incident with David Brown, Daniel never dared to let her take a taxi alone. He had contacted a trusted driver he'd worked with for years to ensure her safety.

"Okay," she nodded obediently. "Do you want me to see you off?"

"No need. We're leaving as a group." His fingertips lingered near her ear. "Remember to eat on time and rest early. Call me immediately if anything happens."

"Alright."

Daniel's absence made Emily's life suddenly feel empty. Her resignation was being processed, and no new projects were assigned to her.

Time stretched endlessly before her.

After work, she still went to voice acting sessions and visited her sister at the hospital whenever possible. But a hollow ache had settled deep inside her, leaving her restless.

She'd never felt this way when she was alone before. Even with Mia Harris by her side, the emptiness clung to her like a shadow.

This void hadn't started with Daniel's departure—it had been growing silently until it became impossible to ignore.

Daniel video-called her the night he left. But in the dead of night, the weight of her emotions kept her tossing and turning for two hours before she finally fell asleep.

Mia came over specifically to keep her company. Lying in bed, they chatted aimlessly, and Emily felt slightly better.

On the third morning, as Emily finished handing over her last tasks, her phone vibrated three times.

Three MMS messages from an unknown number appeared on her screen.

When she opened the first photo, her pupils constricted violently.

No. This couldn't be real.

Her trembling fingers zoomed in. The man passionately kissing a stranger was unmistakably Daniel.

In the second photo, his shirt was already off, his skin pressed against the woman's.

The third was a direct bedroom shot. The angle deliberately focused on his face—clear and painfully sharp.

Emily's breath caught as if an invisible hand had seized her throat.

Daniel's eyes in the photos were alert, showing no signs of being drugged.

She snapped her phone shut and took a deep breath.

It had to be photoshopped. With today's technology, face-swapping was effortless.

Or... he'd been set up.

Just as she tried to console herself, her phone vibrated again. The caller ID showed the same unknown number.

Her blood ran cold.

She didn't need to answer to know the caller's intentions. The humiliating words of Daniel's mother echoed in her ears.

"Emily? You look pale," Lily White said worriedly, leaning closer.

Emily stood up abruptly. "I need to take this call."

She practically fled to the restroom, her phone burning like a branding iron in her hand.