Chapter 30 Driven Away in Anger
"Mr. Windsor, then I must thank you for saving my life," Emily replied coolly, not wanting to engage with him any further.
Elodie rolled her eyes beside her, about to snap back, but Wesley stopped her with a warning glance.
Wesley leisurely pulled up a chair and sat down with a smile. "Mr. Windsor, it sounds like you're saying Emily's survival depends entirely on you."
Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Emily's pale face. His tone carried a deliberately casual air. "What else? If I hadn't arrived in time, Ms. Johnson might be crying somewhere unknown right now."
He paused, leaning closer, his voice dropping to a lower, more commanding tone. "Emily, I saved your life. How do you plan to repay that debt?"
Emily frowned, about to refuse, when she met his penetrating gaze.
His eyes held complex emotions—curiosity, dominance, and a hint of stubbornness that she couldn't quite identify.
The atmosphere in the hospital room suddenly became a bit awkward.
Elodie glanced between Charles and Wesley, suddenly feeling the room was a bit too crowded.
"I'll restore Mirage Fashion to its former glory, living up to Mr. Windsor's investment in me. Will that suffice?" Emily deliberately maintained her awareness of Charles's identity—he was Clara's man, and Emily had no desire to get involved with him.
Anything Clara had used, objects or people, Emily found repulsive.
Charles's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, an inexplicable anger rising within him. He had rescued her from danger, but in her eyes, that was worth nothing more than a business commitment?
He stared at her indifferent face; she wouldn't even spare him a proper look, as if he were some nuisance to be avoided.
"Emily, you know that's not what I want," Charles's voice deepened, carrying suppressed displeasure.
He didn't want to be just her investor. He didn't want their relationship to be limited to cold business transactions. But these words caught in his throat, impossible to voice.
Emily looked up at him, her eyes reflecting impatience. "Then what do you want, Mr. Windsor? I honestly don't know. Perhaps you'd like a framed thank-you letter delivered to the Windsor Group?"
She was genuinely annoyed. Charles's persistence made her uncomfortable, especially considering his relationship with Clara.
She paused, her tone filled with sarcasm. "If that's not enough, I could personally design the wedding attire for you and Clara. Any style you prefer—my small contribution to congratulate you both on your happy union."
Charles's expression immediately darkened, and the atmosphere around him became somewhat oppressive.
The last thing he wanted was for Emily to connect him with Clara. It felt like having cotton stuffed into his chest, suffocating him.
"Must you bring her up?"
Wesley spoke up leisurely from the side, a smile playing on his lips. "What's the matter, Mr. Windsor? Ms. Johnson kindly offers to design your wedding attire, and instead of appreciating it, you get angry? Could it be... You don't want to marry Clara?"
This comment was like oil on fire, instantly igniting Charles's fury, his eyes fierce enough to devour someone.
He wanted to grab Emily's hand and ask if she had any conscience at all, but hesitated when he noticed the needle marks on the back of her hand.
"Who I marry is none of your business!" Charles didn't understand why he was so angry. Emily's words were clearly meant to provoke him, yet he couldn't control his desire to lash out, to pull her into his arms and force her to take back what she'd said.
Realizing this stunned him—they had no relationship whatsoever.
Yet seeing Emily's indifference still bothered him immensely.
Finally, he could only glare at Wesley before storming out of the hospital room.
In the hallway, Charles leaned against the cold wall, irritably loosening his tie.
He couldn't understand what was happening to him.
When he couldn't see her, his mind was filled with images of her stubborn face; yet when they actually met, her few words left him trembling with anger.
This woman was like a curse, leaving him completely distracted.
Wesley watched Charles's furious retreat, the amusement in his eyes deepening.
Charles had truly met his match—so angry, yet forced to keep it all bottled up.
He turned to Emily and said softly, "You're impressive. I've never seen Charles so helpless before."
Emily remained silent, but secretly felt relieved. At least temporarily, she wouldn't have to face Charles's probing eyes.
Having enjoyed the drama, Wesley stood up and handed over an autographed photo. "I have a scene to shoot this morning, so I need to leave. Rest well, Ms. Johnson. See you tonight."
Emily accepted the signed photo, casually responding, "Sure, Mr. Martin. See you tonight."
Wesley smiled, "Please, call me Wesley. Just like Elodie does."
"That's enough, Wesley! Emily isn't one of your fans. If you want to charm someone, do it outside my hospital!" Elodie irritably pushed against Wesley's back, physically escorting him out.
After Wesley left, Elodie moved closer to Emily, smiling. "Impressive, Emily. A few words and you had Charles storming out like that. His expression was just like Ethan's when he's angry."
Elodie suddenly covered her mouth in horror, drawing in a sharp breath.
Of course—how had she never realized it before? Ethan looked exactly like Charles.
"Emily, could Charles possibly be the man you slept with six years ago?" Elodie asked timidly.
"I don't know, but whether he is or not, I don't want anything to do with him," Emily's response was decisive.
Elodie teased, "My best friend is truly exceptional. In all of Emerald City, you're probably the only woman who doesn't fall at Charles Windsor's feet!"
Elodie was about to say more when a nurse came in for rounds and urgently pulled her away to see other patients.
Since Elodie was still on duty and couldn't stay with Emily long, she left with a quick "See you tonight" before disappearing.
See you tonight?
Why was everyone planning to see her tonight?
Just then, Emily received the day's schedule from her assistant.
How could she have forgotten something so important happening tonight?