Chapter 252

"William Johnson, thank you for helping me with Sophia Song last time." Emily Smith pulled her hand away and took a step back. "But tonight you ruined my plans. We're even now."

"Why can Ethan pursue you, but I can't?" William's voice turned icy.

Here we go again.

Emily's expression darkened as she struggled against his grip. "Let go."

Instead, William tightened his hold and yanked her into his arms.

"Emily," his voice softened suddenly, "I can't stand seeing you smile at others while giving me the cold shoulder."

Her struggles paused.

"It hurts more than being stabbed." He looked down at her with sincere eyes.

The nickname made her ears burn. She turned her face away. "Don't call me that."

"What should I call you then?"

"My name."

William frowned. "Then how am I any different from everyone else?"

Emily had no reply.

In the distance, a bus approached. She seized the chance to break free. "The bus is here."

William released her but grabbed her hand, pulling her quickly toward the stop.

As they boarded, Emily smoothly pulled up the mobile payment code on her phone.

"How do you do this?" William leaned in to ask.

She gave him a look as if he were an alien.

"Give me your phone." She held out her hand.

William handed it over with a smile. "The passcode is your birthday."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

She unlocked it swiftly, pulled up the payment code in seconds, and shoved the phone back into his hand before heading straight for the back of the bus.

William followed closely and sat beside her, reaching for her hand again.

This time, Emily dodged.

"William," she stared out the window, "we're really not suited for each other."

"How would we know without trying?" His gaze burned into her.

"Social compatibility isn't just a saying." Her voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't reach the heights of Vice President Johnson."

William remembered Sam's report about what happened at the restaurant that day.

The private room door hadn't been fully closed. The waitstaff heard everything.

She always knew when to cut her losses.

She wouldn't subject herself to that humiliation a second time.