Chapter 66 The Consequences of Tempting Me
Liam folded his hands on the table and lowered his voice to a dangerous whisper. “I’ll make sure you understand the consequences of tempting me…”
Emma’s ears flushed pink as heat surged through her body.
She lifted her camel milk and deliberately avoided his gaze.
Then she picked up her bag and headed for the restroom.
Emma washed her hands and dried them with a paper towel.
In the mirror, she caught Simone’s murderous glare from behind.
“Well, Simone?” Emma chuckled, her black heels clicking softly on the damp floor as she turned around.
“You slut! You seduced my son and ruined him!” Simone’s face darkened.
“With your son’s behavior, did he even need seducing? He’d sleep with anyone, wouldn’t he?”
“You dumped Ben and found another man! You sleep around, and now you’re spreading lies. You’re just using my son as an excuse to cover up your promiscuity!”
Simone was nearly shouting.
“So what?” Emma smiled, leaning forward slightly. “What can you do about it? Is your son still head over heels for me?”
“He must be blind to fall for a slut like you!” Simone spat.
“He can’t even last ten minutes in bed. How impressive could he possibly be?” Emma swept Simone with a look of open disgust.
Then she turned to leave the restroom.
Furious, Simone hurried after her, reaching out to grab her hair.
Before Emma could react, a large hand seized her arm, yanking her sharply aside.
Simone lunged forward and missed her target, stumbling.
Water splashed across the floor with a heavy thud.
“Ow…” Simone’s wail echoed.
“Serve you right,” Emma muttered.
Her gaze fell upon the man’s chest, where his pectoral muscles strained against his shirt, his tie knotted tightly at his neck.
Looking up, she met an arrogant face.
Charles snorted and let go.
“Thanks.” Emma sidestepped to create distance between them.
He glanced at her, then turned to leave.
Ignoring Simone’s wails, he walked away.
Liam glanced toward the restroom, his brow furrowing.
Back at her seat, Emma said with a chuckle,
“I ran into an old friend.”
Within minutes, chaos erupted near the restroom.
Simone was carried out.
Liam smirked.
She truly never let herself be wronged.
“Let’s go back. I’m so tired…” she murmured.
“All right.”
They rose together and headed toward the elevator.
Liam slipped his arm around her shoulder and glanced at Charles, who was watching them.
“Do you have a problem with him?” Emma asked.
Frowning, he tightened his grip.
“Stay away from him,” he said.
“Alright.” She nodded, following him into the elevator.
——
Three days later, it was Samuel’s birthday.
Liam and Emma stepped out of the car in front of Clearspring Manor.
Lawrence frowned when he saw them approaching.
Rumors said Liam had a mistress—he’d never expected it to be Emma.
Liam took Emma’s hand and walked toward him.
“Minister Lawrence?” he greeted.
Emma paused, then nodded briefly.
She hadn’t expected to run into him.
Lawrence’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting to Liam.
“Grandfather asked me to greet an important guest. I didn’t expect it to be you,” he said with a smile.
“Samuel Bryant is your grandfather?” Liam frowned.
Lawrence nodded.
“What a coincidence.” Liam’s lips twitched slightly.
“Liam, Lawrence!” Celeste’s voice called out from behind them.
Emma and Liam exchanged a glance.
Ignoring her, they walked inside.
The banquet hadn’t started yet.
Just then, a maid approached.
“Mr. Bryant requests your presence in the backyard, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes,” she said.
“All right.” Liam nodded and headed to the backyard with Emma.
Samuel was playing chess with a man in his fifties.
He frowned, fingers pinching a black piece as he hesitated over his move.
Emma’s lips curved slightly.
“Can you play chess?” Liam leaned closer.
“Yeah, of course,” she whispered.
“You’re amazing, honey,” he chuckled, his warm breath trailing along her ear.
Heat crept up her cheeks.
She gently nudged him, but he leaned in closer.
“I concede!” Samuel placed his piece down.
“Samuel, you clearly let me win on purpose!” the man laughed.
The two players finally noticed Liam and Emma standing nearby.
“Mr. Bryant,” Liam said.
“Hello, Mr. Bryant,” Emma greeted with a smile.
Samuel stood up, walked over, and gave Liam a firm hug.
“I thought you’d slack off and not show up again! Look at those muscles—still rock hard! Been working out, huh?” he chuckled, patting Liam’s shoulder hard.
“Sure.” Liam smiled.
The man beside them stood up, his gaze settling on Emma.
“Emma,” he said softly.
“Professor Grayson.”
Samuel froze.
“You two know each other?” he asked.
Grayson Reid gave a slight nod.
“Emma was my student.”
“How about playing a chess game with me, Emma?” he asked.
Emma nodded.
“You’ve been busy lately, haven’t you? I haven’t seen you at the studio.” Grayson played with the white pieces.
“Busy getting married,” she replied lightly.
“Married already? I was planning to set you up with someone,” he chuckled.
“It was unexpected.” She smiled.
Grayson studied the board before him and said earnestly,
“There are no accidents in this world.”
She paused, then nodded.
She settled the black piece onto the board.
The game reached a stalemate; neither side yielded.
Samuel and Liam stood beside them.
“Your wife seems smarter than you,” Samuel remarked.
“I have good taste.” Liam nodded with a smile.
Samuel shot him a look.
Grayson set down the white piece with a hint of resignation.
“All right, losing to your own student isn’t exactly shameful!” Samuel chimed in.
“At least you did lose to me,” Grayson scoffed.