Chapter 58 Fear of Being Taken Away
Steven walked straight toward Liam and the other man.
The three of them began talking easily, like old acquaintances.
“Emma.”
“Hm?”
Charles…
Why do I keep running into him everywhere?
“Mind if I sit down for a moment?” Charles asked, wearing his most gentlemanly expression.
“Yes.” Emma shot him a look.
Despite her refusal, he sat down anyway.
“You’re clever, using me to get things done.”
He smirked.
“Isn’t that because you have the means, Charles?”
“You really are likable. No wonder so many men pursue you.”
“No, don’t say that. I’m no saint.” She lowered her voice. “You saw what happened to Ben today.”
“I didn’t force you. You were the one who chose to leak that information.”
“I hear you’re Liam’s mistress. How much does he pay you?” he pressed.
Emma’s fingers tightened around her glass.
“Do all of you men think women come with price tags?” Emma snapped.
“No, I’m just curious.”
“You may leave now.” She took a slow sip, irritation flashing in her eyes.
“How much do you need? I can give it to you.” He leaned closer.
“You don’t need to live like this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t fall for someone like Ben.” His tone softened deliberately.
“After all, Chloe was the one who dragged you into this mess.”
“If you need money, I can help you find a decent job.”
Emma froze.
“Are you suggesting I leave him so I can belong to you instead?” she asked quietly.
“No.” He shook his head.
“I have no interest in keeping a mistress.”
“If you want someone to rely on, we can get married. I won’t treat you badly.”
⸻
Liam’s gaze drifted toward Emma.
Seeing her seated across from Charles, engaged in conversation, his expression darkened instantly.
When Emma met his eyes, she smiled faintly.
“With his leg condition… can he really satisfy you?” Charles blurted.
Emma’s expression hardened.
“Go find companionship elsewhere. With your looks, you won’t have trouble, Charles.”
“If you want revenge on Ben, I’m your best option.” He persisted.
“I can give you freedom, money, and respect.”
“Those terms do sound tempting.”
“I should be better than him in bed.” His gaze dropped briefly.
“Want to find out?”
“Get lost!” Emma nearly spat out the drink she’d just swallowed.
Charles nodded slightly, lifted his glass, and left.
⸻
Not long after, Liam returned.
“Someone you know?”
“Chloe’s uncle. He was the one who found that video while fixing my car.”
“Oh.” Liam’s gaze sharpened. “I thought he was one of your admirers.”
“Are you jealous?” Emma turned to him.
“Mhm.”
“It proves your wife is attractive.” She smiled faintly.
“I’m afraid of losing you,” he admitted quietly.
“After all, none of them know about us.”
“You’re getting smoother.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Don’t read into it.”
She set down her glass, stood, and reached for his hand.
They walked back slowly together.
…
The moment she lay down on the bed, her phone buzzed.
She opened WhatsApp and saw a greeting emoji from Celeste.
She shrugged and set the phone aside.
…
The next day, they woke early and returned to work.
Emma stepped out of the car in the underground parking garage and took the elevator up.
The moment she sat down at her desk, Ivy dragged Iris’s chair over and plopped down beside her.
“What is it?” Emma frowned.
“I saw it.” Ivy cut straight to the point.
“Saw what?” Emma snorted.
“You and Liam… um—”
Before Ivy could finish, Emma clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Speak properly!” she hissed.
Ivy snorted, eyes dropping pointedly to the ring on Emma’s finger.
Feeling a twinge of unease, Emma subtly pulled her hand back.
“Everyone knows Liam’s married. Just not publicly.” Ivy scoffed.
“I thought it was some rich heiress.”
“Hmph. His taste isn’t that great either.”
“His taste is questionable,” Emma replied coolly.
“He doesn’t even look at you.”
“I ordered you a coffee. Consider it an early congratulations,” Ivy said, standing up.
“Congratulations for what?”
“Oh, come on. Check the group chat yourself.” Ivy waved dismissively.
“Spending all day in romance…”
Emma opened the group chat.
Her work had won first prize.
Renowned designers from both domestic and international circles had praised it. Several left messages expressing interest in recruiting her with generous offers.
Emma leaned back in her chair, spinning once, twice—unable to stop smiling.
⸻
Liam: \[Find me after lunch.\]
Emma: \[What’s up?\]
Liam: \[Claire’s studio business.\]
\[What did you think it was? Or what did you want it to be?\]
Emma didn’t reply.
Liam stared at his phone for the rest of the morning.
Everyone started talking about Emma after the design competition results were announced. Some even noticed her ring.
“This ring is worth at least ten million dollars.”
“I heard it’s a custom piece with a real name. Only once in a lifetime.”
Emma was startled; she had expected it to be just an ordinary, plain band.
“Stop talking nonsense,” she snapped, suddenly afraid someone might see through her.
“Emma just got out of a relationship. How could she be getting married? She may just use the ring to spite that jerk.” Ethan stepped in to break the awkward tension.
“Exactly! Her ex-boyfriend got married yesterday,” Ivy remarked as she walked by.
“So that’s how it is.” Everyone nodded in agreement.
Emma gave an awkward chuckle, quietly slipping the ring off her finger.
Examining it closely, she found that the inner band of the ring was engraved with her name.
She paused, sensing that something was off.
We had only been married a few days, yet he had already put it on my finger.
Don’t custom rings take months to make?
Could this be a fake?
That can’t be it.
She decided to get to the bottom of it.
⸻
At the restaurant, Emma pulled Ryan to a secluded table.
Liam, walking ahead, turned and frowned at the pair sneaking around.
What could be so secret?
He sat down to eat alone, his jaw tightening with irritation.
Lily happened to be seated across from him.