Chapter 114 Intoxicated
At King Manor, Elora was gleefully watching the news coverage.
"Dad, look! Clara got kicked out of Mirage Fashion by Simon! This is what happens when she crosses the King family!"
Owen nodded with satisfaction. "Emily's plan was absolutely flawless. Now Clara is finished, and your reputation has been cleared."
"That woman got exactly what she deserved! She dared to scheme against me—now she got what she deserved!"
Briana cautioned from the side. "But, we can't let our guard down. Clara's been backed into a corner now, and desperate people do desperate things. And Obscura Fashion..."
Elora waved dismissively. "She doesn't even have a company anymore. What could she possibly do to retaliate? As for Obscura Fashion, Emily helped me, so naturally I won't shortchange her."
Meanwhile, Obscura Fashion's offices sat in darkness. The designers who would normally stay late were all gathered in a private dining room at a nearby hotel, celebrating.
"To our success!" Emily raised her champagne flute, her face glowing with rare, relaxed joy.
The entire company was immersed in celebration—they had just officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with Luminance Jewels to launch a collaborative line of luxury handbags. For Obscura Fashion, this was a major milestone.
"Ms. Johnson is incredible! Even an established luxury brand like Luminance Jewels wants to partner with us!"
"I heard this collaboration could triple our market growth!"
The employees buzzed with excitement, their admiration for Emily evident in every word.
The celebration lasted well into the night. Emily, allowing herself to unwind for once, had several drinks and was pleasantly tipsy by the time it ended.
"Ms. Johnson, let me give you a ride home," her assistant, Luke Butler, offered with concern, reaching out to steady her.
Just then, a black Rolls-Royce silently pulled up in front of the building.
The window rolled down, revealing Charles's sharp profile.
He watched Luke supporting Emily, his brow furrowing almost involuntarily.
"Mr. Windsor!" Luke startled, quickly dropping his hands.
Charles stepped out of the car and strode over, naturally wrapping his arm around Emily's waist. His tone was indifferent, "I'll take her home."
Emily looked up at him through hazy eyes, breaking into a silly smile. "Charles, you came."
She melted softly against his chest, her warm breath ghosting across his neck.
Charles caught the faint scent of wine mixed with her familiar perfume, his Adam's apple bobbing almost involuntarily.
"Why did you drink so much?" His voice was low, carrying a barely perceptible note of jealousy.
"I'm celebrating," Emily cooed, nuzzling into his embrace like a kitten. "We got the Luminance Jewels partnership."
Charles swept her up in his arms, carefully placing her in the passenger seat. As he fastened her seatbelt, his fingers accidentally brushed against the soft curves of her chest, making him freeze momentarily.
Emily seemed oblivious to the contact, unconsciously tugging at her collar and exposing a stretch of delicate collarbone, her body shifting restlessly.
"So warm..." She murmured.
Charles's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his gaze darkening as it swept over her flushed cheeks. In the moonlight, her slightly parted lips looked like tempting fruit, almost irresistible.
At a red light, he finally lost control, leaning over to capture those enticing lips.
Emily responded to the kiss in her drunken haze, even wrapping her arms around his neck.
This response nearly shattered Charles's remaining restraint. His kiss became more passionate, his hands wandering restlessly over her body.
The temperature inside the car spiked, the air thick with an ambiguous atmosphere.
Just as he teetered on the edge of complete loss of control, Charles forced himself to stop.
He remembered his promise to Emily—that he would never force her when she was unwilling. Though she might be responding now due to the alcohol, this wasn't what he wanted.
Charles took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and restarted the car.
When they arrived at Windsor Manor, the three children were waiting anxiously by the front door.
"What's wrong with Mommy?" Jasper asked worriedly, looking at Emily cradled in Charles's arms.
Ethan stood on his tiptoes, trying to feel Emily's forehead. "Is Mommy sick?"
Emma's eyes were already brimming with tears as she began to sniffle, "Mommy has to be okay."
William, who could obviously see what was happening, chuckled as he approached, "Don't worry, Emily just had a bit too much to drink. Charles will take care of her. You three should get to bed."
He crouched down, speaking to the children, "Would you like a little brother or sister?"
Jasper immediately understood William's meaning, his little face flushing as he took Ethan and Emma by the hands. "Come on, let's go to our rooms and sleep. Let Mommy rest properly."
Though Ethan and Emma didn't quite understand, they obediently followed Jasper upstairs.
---
Charles gently laid Emily on the master bedroom's king-size bed, the warm bedside lamp casting a golden glow over her flushed cheeks. She murmured incoherently in her drunken state, unconsciously tugging at her shirt collar and exposing a stretch of her neck.
"Don't move," Charles's voice was rough as he caught her restless hands.
He went into the bathroom and returned with a warm, damp towel. Sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze inevitably fell to where her shirt had come slightly undone, his breathing growing heavier.
Charles took a deep breath and began carefully wiping her face. The warm towel glided gently over her forehead and cheeks, finally coming to rest at her slender neck.
Emily made a soft sound of contentment, nuzzling against his hand like a lazy cat.
This unconscious gesture made his hand tremble slightly. He stared at her slightly parted lips, his Adam's apple working.
As he began unbuttoning her shirt, his fingertips inevitably brushed against her delicate skin.
She shivered lightly, letting out a soft whimper.
That small sound raced through him like silk across his nerve endings. He paused, his gaze intensely focused on the woman beneath him. Drunk, she had shed her usual sharp edges, appearing exceptionally soft and alluring.
When he undid the final button, the moonstone necklace slipped free, catching the lamplight with a gentle luminescence.
Charles's attention was drawn to it, and he gently lifted the pendant, his fingertips inadvertently grazing the skin of her chest.
Emily trembled sensitively, unconsciously grasping his wrist, "Don't..."
The touch made his breathing suddenly ragged. He leaned closer, close enough to count each of her fluttering eyelashes.
Their noses nearly touched, warm breaths mingling.
"Emily..." his deep voice carried suppressed longing.
Emily gazed up at him through hazy eyes, her expression dreamy and seductive. She slowly raised her hand to caress his cheek, "Charles..."
That soft call completely demolished his self-control. He bent to capture her lips, this kiss fierce and unrestrained from the start.
Emily responded clumsily, which only made it harder for him to maintain control.
His kisses gradually moved lower, trailing down her slender neck and leaving ambiguous marks. Emily arched her head back, releasing soft moans, her fingers unconsciously threading through his hair.
Just as Charles's hand moved toward the hem of her skirt, the moonstone necklace suddenly slipped from her chest, its cool touch making them both freeze momentarily.