Chapter 46

His dark eyes gleamed as his thumb brushed her flushed earlobe. "Throwing a tantrum?"

Emily Smith turned her head away, lashes fluttering. "Vice President Johnson, it's working hours."

Her fingers tightened around the files, knuckles turning white.

William Johnson chuckled, his warm breath grazing her neck. "Since when do we care about time and place?"

His long fingers tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

Emily suddenly lifted her eyes, clear and composed. "We absolutely should. After all, you only bought my nights."

"Oh?" He raised a brow, fingertips trailing down to her collarbone. "Name your price for now, then."

"No." She took half a step back. "I'm on the clock."

The man's gaze darkened instantly. He seized her slender waist.

As his heated lips descended, Emily pressed a hand against his chest in panic. "It's my time of the month."

The air froze.

William stilled, his Adam's apple bobbing. After a long pause, he released her and leisurely adjusted his cufflinks. "Get out."

Emily didn't look back as she yanked the door open.

Grace Lee from the secretary's office nearly dropped her coffee at the sight of Emily's reddened eyes and slightly swollen lips.

Emily splashed cold water on her face in the restroom when her phone buzzed.

A message from Michael Thompson: Any issues with the contract?

She took a deep breath before replying: Vice President Johnson didn't mention anything.

No sooner had she returned to her desk than the intercom rang. Michael's voice carried undisguised curiosity: "Come to my office."

"Manager Wu will review the quarterly data next week." Michael handed her a stack of reports, feigning casualness. "Anything unusual happen on the 57th floor this morning?"

Emily accepted the files. "Just routine handover procedures."

At lunch, Robert Miller from Finance slid into their table with his tray.

"You must be the new hire," Robert said, eyes fixed on Emily. "I'm Robert Miller from Finance."

Lily White kicked Tom Brown under the table.

"Emily Smith." She offered a polite smile before focusing on her soup.

Robert seized the chance to push a stew toward her. "This is good for women's health."

Just then, a commotion erupted at the entrance. William entered with Grace in tow, his gaze turning icy as it swept over their corner table.

Robert was eagerly serving Emily more food. "There's an art exhibition this weekend—"

"Excuse me." Emily abruptly stood. "I forgot some documents."

As she hurried away, she could feel a pair of eyes burning into her back.

In the executive dining box, William slammed his chopsticks down.

"Vice President Johnson?" Grace asked tentatively. "Is the food not to your liking?"

He straightened his suit jacket and rose. "Move the afternoon meeting forward."

Passing through the main hall, he spotted Robert grinning at his phone. William narrowed his eyes and turned to Grace. "Audit Robert Miller's expense reports."

Grace blinked. "Now?"

"Immediately."