Chapter 71 Did You Really Wash My Underwear?
Liam stood rooted to the spot, watching their retreating figures.
He licked his lips, a faint smile curling his mouth.
"Look at him, like a living statue pining for his wife," Logan teased from nearby.
"He's completely won over. Honestly, Emma's not bad," Hunter chuckled.
Liam's uncle, Joseph Hayes, chimed in half-jokingly. "Aren't you worried she's after the family fortune?"
"Emma's no pushover." Logan waved his hand dismissively. "While Liam recuperated in SC, she took care of every detail of his daily life."
"She's blunt, but when it comes to protecting her own, she doesn't hold back," he added.
"Last time, she even stepped in front of me!" Hunter chuckled.
"That's right. She almost chewed me out, too." Logan laughed.
Liam approached and sat beside Logan.
"Grandfather, Dad, Uncle," he greeted them briefly.
"When do you plan to return to the company?" Hunter asked.
All eyes turned to him.
"We'll see. After the holidays. No rush," Liam said lightly.
"Can you drink?" Joseph asked tentatively.
"Sure."
——
"How did you convince him to come back?" Lillian asked.
"I didn't convince him." Emma speared a piece of steak and popped it into her mouth.
Lillian was somewhat surprised.
"I see." She smiled.
After a while, her friends arrived.
"This is Emma Carter, my daughter-in-law," Lillian introduced. "Barbara Alexander, the wife of one of Logan's colleagues."
"Lillian, you finally bring her out to meet us. Were you afraid we'd steal her away?" Barbara chuckled.
"Yeah, good thing Liam didn't show up with a baby in tow," someone chimed in.
Lillian laughed.
Blushing, Emma pressed her lips together and whispered, "We've actually known each other for a long time; we just made it official not long ago."
Lillian smiled warmly at Emma and tightened her grip on her arm.
"So when did you and Liam meet?" Rosalind's mother, Kimberly Murphy, asked.
"When did you officially start dating?" she pressed.
All eyes turned toward Emma.
Lillian's expression darkened.
Emma, however, remained unflustered.
"When did we meet? Honestly, I can't quite recall. But I do remember that I'd washed clothes for him for a whole month."
Emma leaned close to Kimberly and whispered, "Even his underwear."
Kimberly's expression darkened instantly.
She had never expected that Emma had been by Liam's side while he was injured.
Lillian couldn't help but laugh.
Emma flushed and gently squeezed her hand, signaling her to tone down the laughter.
"Emma, Mom."
A deep voice echoed from behind.
Startled, Emma spun around.
Has he heard everything?
In a black wool coat, the man approached with steady steps.
"Liam, you're here," Kimberly greeted.
He walked over to Emma and Lillian and gently rested both hands on their shoulders.
"Hello, everyone," he said flatly.
"How wonderful! Emma is truly kind. Washing Liam's clothes personally—that kind of devotion is truly special," Barbara remarked.
"Yes..." Kimberly could only nod along.
Emma's face burned fiercely.
"The asparagus is ready. Are you hungry?" Liam asked.
Lillian quickly pushed him away.
"Go ahead! You two go eat first. I'll handle things here."
Liam smiled, looking at Emma.
"Okay, we'll go grab something to eat," Emma murmured.
"Alright, go ahead!" Lillian exchanged a knowing glance with Liam.
Liam wrapped his arm around Emma and left.
The moment they stepped outside, he asked, "Did you really wash my underwear?"
She nodded, her face still flushing.
"What else is there that I don't know?" he asked; a smile curled his lips.
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Well, you've done so much for me. I should show you some real affection, honey." Liam said earnestly.
Emma's heart skipped a beat.
Show me some real affection?
In what way?
"No need," she hurriedly said.
He gently tapped her nose, sliding his other hand from her shoulder to her waist.
"Emma, your face is flushed," he whispered.
Emma shyly nudged his waist away with her elbow, trying to create some distance.
"Liam, everyone's watching inside. This isn't appropriate," she murmured.
Ignoring her, he drew his arm closer, pulling her entirely into his embrace.
A faint pine scent mingled with his body heat, comforting her.
"We've made love so many times, yet you're still so shy," he smirked.
"Stop it..."
"Alright."
This scene was witnessed by Lily and Steven, who had just approached nearby.
"Emma?" Lily called out.
Liam and Emma stopped and turned toward the voice.
Lily stiffened, rooted to the spot.
Her gaze was fixed on the hand Liam had placed around Emma's waist.
Why her?
When did this start?
Before the company party?
Or during Fashion Week?
Her vision began to blur.
So the one by Liam's side was Emma herself.
Emma glanced at Steven, then turned her gaze to Lily, whose face had gone pale.
"Lily," she greeted softly.
Liam's arm around her waist tightened.
Lily snapped to reality.
"You two..." She forced a smile.
Before Emma could speak, Liam cut in with a cold response.
"This is my wife."
Wife?
They were married?!
Lily's mind spun in chaos.
Her legs buckled, and she swayed.
Steven immediately reached out to steady her.
"Sorry," he said hurriedly before leading her away.
"Let's go," Liam said lightly and took Emma's hand.
The two walked toward the grill on the nearby lawn.
The round table had a grill for cooking, and there was a thermos of chilled lemonade.
Liam and Emma sat down.
"Perfect timing—the grilled meat and asparagus are ready." Virgil set out several disposable bowls and put the cooked food into them.
He handed one to Patricia first, then to Emma.
"Thanks, Virgil," Emma said.