Chapter 50

William devoured the food on the table with gusto, talking nonstop between bites.

Emily sat quietly, her plate barely touched. The prices at this restaurant made her heart race—a single steak cost half her monthly living expenses.

"This project has incredible potential..." William gushed animatedly, completely oblivious to Emily's discomfort.

An hour later, William finally wiped his mouth in satisfaction. Emily checked her watch and stood to pay the bill.

"Your total comes to $1,200," the cashier said with a polite smile.

William, who had been standing beside Emily, immediately took a step back upon hearing the amount.

Emily had braced herself. She pulled a debit card from her purse. "Please charge this."

The card held her hard-earned voice-acting income—every penny painstakingly saved.

"Of course, ma'am." Just as the cashier reached for the card, commotion erupted at the entrance.

William Johnson walked in arm-in-arm with a stunningly beautiful woman. His gaze landed on Emily's debit card, his expression instantly turning icy.

"Vice President Johnson!" William's eyes lit up with recognition, and he scurried over obsequiously. "What a coincidence! Let me cover this bill for you!"

The cashier couldn't help rolling her eyes.

Emily turned and met William's penetrating stare. She froze, her heartbeat skipping.

"Ma'am, would you like to combine the checks?" the cashier asked.

"No." William's voice was cold as he handed over a black card.

William continued babbling, "Vice President Johnson, please don't stand on ceremony—"

A single glance from William silenced him mid-sentence.

"William, are these your employees?" the woman asked sweetly.

Emily finally noticed the woman beside William. Dressed in designer labels, she carried herself with the effortless grace of a wealthy heiress.

"Subordinates," William replied, his tone uncharacteristically gentle.

The woman waved cheerfully. "Hello!"

"Hello! Hello!" William eagerly handed over his business card. "I'm Robert from Finance."

Emily forced a smile, her throat tightening as if something were lodged there.

"Let's go." William guided the woman away without so much as a glance at Emily.

Only after they disappeared through the door did Emily exhale deeply. She suddenly remembered that night in the underground garage—the woman in William's arms had been the same one.

So in his eyes, she had never been special at all.