Chapter 78

Emily Smith had just stood up to head to the conference room when she ran into Lily White leading a stream of colleagues out the door.

"Meeting canceled?" she asked in surprise.

Lily shrugged. "The director got a call. It's been rescheduled for two this afternoon."

Emily nodded thoughtfully.

"Buzz—"

Her phone vibrated on the desk. The screen lit up with a WeChat message from the big boss:

[Come upstairs]

......

When the elevator doors opened on the 67th floor, Grace Lee's gaze immediately locked onto her.

Emily sensed the practiced smile on Grace's face—a carefully painted mask that didn't reach her eyes.

"Vice President Johnson is waiting for you," Grace said, rising to greet her. She linked arms with Emily in a show of familiarity. "Let's have lunch sometime?"

Emily smoothly withdrew her hand. "Sure. Thank you, Grace."

She walked to the office door and knocked lightly.

Silence.

Two more knocks. Still no response.

Emily pressed her lips together, amused. Throwing a tantrum again?

"Come in." The deep voice finally sounded from inside.

She pushed the door open.

"Close it," William Johnson ordered without looking up.

Emily shut the door behind her and maintained a safe distance. "What instructions do you have, Vice President Johnson?"

William set down his documents and leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "If I hadn't changed the meeting time, were you planning to ignore me all day?"

"Discussing personal matters during work hours isn't appropriate," she replied evenly.

"Concerned about my reputation?" He raised a brow.

Emily remained silent.

William chuckled lowly. This woman always knew how to get under his skin.

"I called you here for business."

She gave a slight nod. "Your orders?"

The phrase "romantic talk" she'd blurted earlier now felt bitterly ironic.

"Come here." His gaze burned into her.

Emily had barely taken two steps forward when a strong hand yanked her into his lap.

"Ah!"

She landed hard against him, trapped in his grip. His fingers lifted her chin as dark intensity swirled in his eyes.

"Not here for talk," he murmured, voice rough. "Here for—"

The last word vanished into a searing kiss.