Chapter 65

"Choose." William Johnson's long fingers gripped her chin, his voice icy. "Either quit voice acting or replace Daniel Chen."

Emily Smith's pupils contracted. The warm bathwater suddenly turned piercingly cold.

"You think I'm joking?" He leaned closer, water droplets falling from his hair onto her collarbone.

She shook her head, fingers unconsciously digging into the tub's edge.

"William, Daniel and I are just colleagues." She grasped his wrist. "There's nothing between us. Please believe me."

He scoffed, thumb brushing her flushed earlobe. "Nothing?"

"It's true!" Her eyes reddened with urgency. "We've never—"

"Then why does he look at you like a starving wolf?" William suddenly gripped her waist. "Why is he always present during your recordings? Why—"

"You investigated me?" Emily shoved him away violently.

Water sloshed. William leaned back against the tub, his Adam's apple bobbing. "Did I need to?"

She noticed coffee stains on his shirt hem—he'd come straight from the recording studio to pick her up.

"I won't give up voice acting." She took a deep breath. "Daniel helped me enter this industry. I can't betray that kindness."

William's expression darkened. He knew Daniel's tricks—using coaching as pretext for physical contact, frequent work meetings, even deliberately favorable profit splits.

"Prove it." He yanked her against his chest.

"How?"

"Call him now." William shoved his phone into her hand. "Tell him you're terminating the collaboration."

Her fingers trembled. Memories flashed of Daniel staying up late to revise scripts with her.

"Can't do it?" He sneered. "Then I'll handle it."

"William!" Her voice rose sharply. "You have no right to interfere with my work!"

Water splashed. William froze, surprised the timid rabbit had claws.

"Because I'm your man." His grip tightened on her nape, voice hoarse. "Is that reason enough?"

The bathroom mirror fogged as they glared at each other.

Finally, Emily turned away. "I'll reduce contact...but we must finish the recordings."

William studied her stubborn profile, recalling the investigation report—the fifteen-year-old girl who'd supported her family alone.

"Remember your promise." He stood abruptly, water cascading off him.

A towel slung around his hips, he paused at the door. "If I find you meeting him privately—"

The slammed door cut off his threat.

Emily slowly submerged, releasing a stream of bubbles. Rose petals swirled on the water's surface, mirroring her tangled thoughts.