Chapter 56

Vivian Lu's nails dug into her palms as she stared at Emily Smith and William Johnson's intertwined hands.

The crystal chandelier cast shimmering light over the dinner table. Emily sat quietly beside William, occasionally serving him dishes. She could feel Vivian's gaze like poisoned needles pricking her skin.

"Try this." William placed a peeled shrimp in her bowl, his fingers brushing her wrist.

The sharp crack of billiard balls echoed from the basement game room. Emily stood behind William as he leaned over to take a shot, the defined lines of his waist visible beneath his shirt. Vivian scoffed.

At the mahjong table, the moment Emily touched a tile, Vivian sneered, "Quite skilled, aren't you, Miss Smith?"

"First time playing," Emily replied softly.

William excused himself to answer a call. The screen flashed—Olivia Davis's name appeared briefly. Emily lowered her eyes and drew another tile, winning two consecutive rounds with perfect hands.

"Your girl's cheating, Will!" George Taylor groaned, knocking over his tiles.

When William returned, he caught the faint blush on Emily's ears. He kissed the top of her head, making George drop his chips. "You two are running a scam!"

The bathroom mirror reflected Emily's pale face. The door swung open—Vivian leaned against the frame, arms crossed, lips curled in mockery.

"You think sleeping with William will make you royalty?" She jabbed Emily's shoulder. "Amanda Lin was far more dazzling than you, and now she's six feet under."

Emily's hands stilled under the running water.

"Miss Lu." She turned, droplets sliding down her chin. "I'm just a plaything. Why lower yourself?"

Vivian grabbed her jaw. "Don't act innocent! William will marry Olivia eventually. You—"

"Vivian." Ethan Zheng's voice drifted from the hallway. "Your turn."

Emily pulled free, hearing Vivian hiss behind her, "Leave now, or else..."

Back at the table, William toyed with a strand of Emily's hair. The pile of chips before her resembled offerings on an altar.