Chapter 22

Morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the bedroom. When Emily Smith opened her eyes, the space beside her was already empty.

Her fingers brushed against the cool sheets, still carrying a faint trace of cedarwood scent.

After freshening up, she went downstairs to find William Johnson already dressed and reading the newspaper at the dining table. Without looking up, he muttered, "Morning."

"Morning," Emily replied softly.

They finished breakfast in silence. When stepping out of Sky City apartment building, they instinctively kept their distance.

As if last night's passionate entanglement had been between two strangers.

On the subway, Emily stared blankly at the scenery flashing by outside. Her phone vibrated with a message from Lily White: [Lunch together?]

Just as she replied, the elevator arrived at her office floor.

The morning workload kept her busy. Nearing noon, she carried a stack of files to another department.

When the elevator doors opened, she saw Emma Clark leaning in the corner with an armful of documents, her face dark as thunder.

Emily immediately withdrew her foot.

"Emily Smith!" Emma shrieked. "Are you blind? Come help me!"

She quickly pressed the close button.

"Bitch!" Emma's curse was cut off by the closing doors.

During lunch break, as Emily prepared to join colleagues at the cafeteria, her phone rang.

"Come to the 67th floor immediately," Emma's haughty voice demanded.

At the executive floor, Emma shoved a pile of English documents into her arms.

"Aren't you an English major? Finish translating these by end of day."

"Quite the authority you wield, Secretary Clark."

William's voice came from behind them. Emma jumped, nearly dropping the files.

"Vice President Johnson..."

Emily kept her head down as a tall figure brushed past her.

"These are confidential documents." William tapped the files with slender fingers. "Secretary Clark, as my most trusted staff, this task falls solely to you."

He patted Emma's shoulder. "I expect the translation by tomorrow morning."

Turning away, he added without looking back, "Emily Smith, still here? Planning corporate espionage?"

In the elevator, William pressed the B1 button. "What would you like for lunch?"

"I have plans with colleagues." She hurriedly pressed the 50th floor button.

The next second, she was pulled back and pinned against the elevator wall.

"Being disobedient?" His breath warmed her ear.

"I'm... still sore there." She shrank back.

"Is that so?" He released her. "Then I'll apply medicine after lunch."

Emily: "......"

In the private room of a Michelin three-star Japanese restaurant, William leisurely wiped his hands.

"Where does it hurt? Let me see."

"It's fine now!" She shook her head hastily.

"Then come here." He undid two shirt buttons. "Feed me."

Emily fled in panic.

Back at the office building, she texted William: [It won't hurt when we're home tonight]

In his executive office, William looked at his phone, lips curling slightly.