Chapter 268

The night was deep, and the apartment in Jinzhou Bay was enveloped in silence.

William Johnson pushed the door open to find only a dim wall lamp illuminating the bedroom. Emily Smith lay curled under the blankets, her breathing even and steady. Her long, dark hair spilled across the pillow, contrasting sharply with her snow-white skin.

He stood by the bed, watching her for a long moment. The exhaustion in his eyes gradually softened into tenderness. Slipping off his suit jacket, he lifted the corner of the blanket and slid in beside her, carefully pulling her into his arms.

"Mmm..." Emily instinctively nuzzled closer, her lashes fluttering as she cracked open one sleepy eye. "You're back?"

"Did I wake you?" He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

She shook her head, a sweet smile tugging at her lips before she drifted back to sleep. William tightened his embrace, burying his face in her hair, breathing in her familiar scent as he closed his eyes.

When morning light filtered through the curtains, Emily fumbled for her phone and squinted at the screen—9:30 AM.

She shifted slightly, trying to ease out of his arms. But the moment she moved, his grip around her waist tightened.

"Stop it..." she murmured in protest, only to freeze when she turned and felt something hot pressing against her through his thin shirt.

William chuckled darkly, rolling her beneath him and capturing her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. He didn’t let up until she was breathless.

"Don’t like it?" His voice was rough as his fingers traced her flushed cheek.

Emily turned her face away. "We should get to work."

"Don’t want to." He nuzzled her neck like a spoiled child. "Unless..."

"Unless what?"

"Come back to BestTech?" He lifted his head, his gaze intense.

Emily shook her head firmly. "No."

"Double your salary?"

"No."

"Then..." He lowered his voice, whispering something in her ear that made the tips of them burn red. She swatted at him. "William!"

Laughing, he caught her hand. "Think about it?"

"I like my current job better," she said seriously. "And..."

"And what?"

"And dealing with you is too hard on my back." She blinked innocently.

William stared for a second before growling and tickling her mercilessly. They tumbled across the bed, laughing, only to end up tangled together again.

"Ow—" Emily suddenly winced, sucking in a sharp breath.

He stilled immediately, his forehead pressed to hers, breathing heavily. "Bear with it?"

"You think this is something I can just bear?" She gave him a helpless look, taking in his flushed face.

With a long sigh, William flopped onto his back, staring blankly at the ceiling. "What did I do to deserve this..."

Emily giggled and leaned over to kiss his chin. "Be good. I’ll make it up to you tonight."

His eyes lit up, but before he could respond, his phone rang. The moment he saw the caller ID, his expression darkened.

"What’s wrong?" She instantly noticed the change.

William ruffled her hair and sat up to answer. "Nothing. Just work."

But Emily clearly saw the shadow that flickered in his eyes as he turned away.