Chapter 82 Taking the Kids to School
Emily's body stiffened reflexively, instinctively wanting to pull away.
But Charles merely used his fingers to gently brush away a rebellious strand of hair from her cheek, his fingertip barely grazing the dark circles beneath her eyes.
The warm touch of his fingertip made heat bloom at the tips of her ears.
"Good, now that you've gotten your answers. Next time you want to know something, ask me directly. Don't you think I'd give you more detailed information than Nathan?"
This overly intimate gesture and his words set off alarm bells in Emily's mind.
Holding Emma, she tried to create distance with a hint of panic. "Mr. Windsor, you're being too kind. Nathan, he..."
"Enough. Let's not talk about him anymore."
Charles interrupted her, leaning down slightly to whisper near her ear, that masculine scent of cedar and tobacco instantly enveloping her. "If you're thanking me, you should show some sincerity."
Emily held her breath.
The corner of his mouth curved into the faintest smile, with a roguish push for more. "Come with me to drop the kids off at school."
Emily instinctively wanted to refuse, "Their school, I..."
Charles raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the two children, his voice pitched just right for everyone to hear. "Emma, Ethan, would you like Emily and me to take you to school together? Just like other mommies and daddies?"
Charles had deliberately added that last part.
"Yes!"
The two children's crisp voices rang out in unison, their eyes sparkling bright as they looked at them, full of expectation.
Emma squirmed excitedly in Emily's arms. "You two take us to school together, just like other kids—their mommies and daddies take them to school together!"
All of Emily's refusals died in her throat.
Looking at the children's innocent, smiling faces, then at the man in front of her who had calculated perfectly that she couldn't refuse, she could only resignedly nod her head.
Outside Joyful Jamboree Elementary.
Morning was peak drop-off time.
When the expensive black Bentley glided to a stop at the entrance and the door opened, the first to emerge was a long, powerful leg encased in black dress pants.
Charles stepped out, his perfectly tailored charcoal gray suit emphasizing his broad shoulders and narrow waist, aristocratic and commanding. He walked around to the other side, personally opened the door, and extended his hand.
Slender, porcelain fingers rested on his distinctly knuckled hand as Emily gracefully stepped out of the car, her long hair cascading loosely over her shoulders, stunning in her natural beauty without a trace of makeup.
Charles naturally slipped his arm around Emily's waist, taking Emma's hand with his other.
Emily took Ethan's hand.
The two children looked like little prince and princess.
This family of four instantly became the most dazzling sight at the school gates that morning.
"Whose parents are those? They're absolutely gorgeous!"
"Look at that car, look at them, look at those kids! Now that's what I call winning at life!"
"Oh my God, when will I get a husband that handsome?"
"Emma always said her daddy was Superman and her mommy was a goddess, and I didn't believe her. Turns out it's true!"
Amazed, envious gazes and whispered comments washed over them like a tide.
Camera flashes flickered a few times—some bold parent was sneaking photos.
Charles remained unfazed, accustomed to such attention, even pulling Emily slightly closer to his side with a hint of satisfaction.
Emily felt his large hand burning hot against her waist, the possessive grip making her uncomfortable all over, her face warming slightly.
After dropping off the children, she wanted nothing more than to immediately escape this suffocating spotlight.
"Alright, they've gone inside." She struggled lightly, trying to break free from his control.
Charles, however, looked down at her with unfathomable eyes, a mysterious smile playing at his lips. "Now that we've dropped off the kids, it's time to take me to work."
Emily was stunned. "Mr. Windsor, you have a driver."
"Then let me take you to work instead." He opened the car door without giving her a choice.
Emily saw the non-negotiable look in his eyes and knew this autocratic man would never give her a second option.
Thinking of the children's satisfied smiles just moments ago and his life-saving grace last night, she took a deep breath and got in.
When the car smoothly entered the underground parking garage with executive elevator access to the Windsor Group, the surroundings fell silent except for the soft friction of tires against concrete echoing through the vast, sterile white space.
After the car stopped, the interior fell into absolute silence.
Emily unbuckled her seatbelt, her fingers just touching the door lock.
A soft click. Charles leisurely unbuckled his own seatbelt, the sound particularly clear in the silent, enclosed cabin.
Emily's heart skipped a beat.
The next second, a powerful and aggressive presence suddenly closed in!
He leaned half his body over, one hand braced against her seat's headrest, the other pressing down on her wrist at the door lock, his powerful frame nearly engulfing her completely in the narrow space between the passenger seat and himself.
The crisp scent of cedar mixed with hints of tobacco, combining into an intoxicating and dangerous aroma that overwhelmed her senses.
"What... what are you doing?" Emily's breath caught, her back pressed tightly against the seat, forced to crane her neck upward.
The air in the car seemed to be sucked away in an instant.
Charles's breath swept across Emily's ear, sending tiny shivers through her.
His deep eyes locked onto hers, churning with emotions she couldn't understand and was powerless to resist, burning hot enough to melt her.
"What am I doing?" Charles's deep voice carried a hint of amusement, his gaze sweeping over her slightly flushed cheeks and evasive eyes before settling on her wrist, which he held firmly.
The skin beneath his fingertip was delicate and warm, her pulse racing.
"Ms. Johnson, you have graciously honored me with your company to work. Such a tremendous favor deserves proper gratitude."
Emily struggled, but her wrist was gripped even tighter.
"I don't need your thanks, let me go!"
Charles not only didn't let go, but leaned even closer, his thin lips almost touching her ear, his hot breath caressing her sensitive neck. "When the children were kidnapped, you raised the money but couldn't reach me. You must have felt desperate, right? Seeing them return safely, you were both terrified and grateful it was me who found them, weren't you?"
Emily's body instantly stiffened.
How... how did he know she couldn't reach him?
Charles precisely caught the shock that flickered through her eyes, his lips curving into a knowing smile. "Why didn't you dare come to me for the children? Hmm? What were you afraid of?"
His other hand lifted, warm fingertip gently brushing across her trembling lashes. "Six years ago, it was these same eyes, red from crying, yet still too stubborn to admit defeat."