Chapter 38 Episode 38

Chapter 38 Episode 38
Chapter 38

The elevator doors had just closed again when Emeli hurriedly stepped away from the area in front of the CEO’s office. Her breathing was still uneven. Her hand instinctively touched her neck, which still felt hot from what Ken had done inside the elevator earlier.

“Crazy…” she muttered softly as she quickly walked toward the women’s restroom.

She did not even dare look back. Her heart was still beating too fast after hearing Ken’s words earlier.

“I don’t like seeing you close to other men.”

That sentence kept echoing in her head, making her thoughts even more chaotic.

As soon as she entered the restroom, Emeli immediately stood in front of the large mirror. She stared at her own reflection for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.

“Why is the mark so obvious…”

There was a faint red mark on her neck that was difficult to cover. Emeli immediately opened her small bag and hurriedly took out her cushion and powder.

“If someone sees this, I’m done for…”

She slowly tried to cover the mark while occasionally adjusting her hair so it would fall over her neck. However, only a few minutes had passed when the sound of the restroom door opening made Emeli instantly straighten her posture.

Two employees walked in while chatting.

“Hey, was it true that Liona and the new girl pulled each other’s hair earlier?”

“Yeah! Even Mr. Andreas got dragged into it too.”

Emeli immediately pretended to be busy fixing her hair.

“It was such a mess. But it’s my first time seeing Liona that angry.”

“Well, how could she not be angry? They said Mr. Ken kept looking for Emeli.”

“Hmm… maybe there really is something going on.”

Emeli immediately left the restroom before the conversation went any further. She did not want to listen any longer.

However, just as she reached the corridor, her phone vibrated.

Aric’s name appeared on the screen.

Emeli’s expression softened slightly.

She immediately answered the call while slowly walking toward the small balcony near the emergency stairs where it was quieter.

“Hello?” she said softly.

Aric’s warm voice was immediately heard from the other side. “Still working?”

“Yeah.”

“How is it? Is it fun?”

Emeli laughed softly. “Not bad.”

“I just finished checking on patients,” Aric said casually. “Do you have any plans tonight?”

Emeli leaned lightly against the balcony railing. The evening breeze gently blew through her hair. “No, why?”

“Let’s go on a date.”

Those words made Emeli fall silent for a moment.

Aric chuckled softly. “Why are you quiet?”

“It’s nothing… I’m just surprised.”

“So, what do you think?”

Emeli smiled faintly. “Okay.”

“I’ll pick you up at the office later.”

Reflexively, Emeli immediately shook her head even though Aric could not see her. “No need to pick me up.”

“Hm? Why?”

“Let’s just meet at the usual place,” Emeli answered quickly. “I might get off work late.”

Aric was silent for a moment before finally nodding lightly. “Alright. The usual place at seven?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” Aric’s voice sounded lighter. “Don’t forget to have dinner first if you get hungry.”

Emeli smiled faintly. “Yes, Doctor.”

“And don’t stress too much about work.”

“Are you my doctor or my mom?”

Aric laughed softly. “Maybe both.”

Emeli laughed softly as well.

After the call ended, she let out a relieved sigh.

At least there was something that made her day feel a little lighter.

“Hopefully this time goes smoothly…” she muttered softly.

Meanwhile, upstairs, the atmosphere inside the CEO’s office was far hotter.

Bang!

The door to Ken’s office swung open without even being knocked on first.

Ken, who had been reading documents, immediately raised his head with an annoyed look.

Liona walked in while casually throwing her bag onto the sofa without the slightest guilt.

“We need to talk.”

Ken slowly closed the file in his hand. “Next time, knock first.”

Liona snorted softly. “I’m your fiancée.”

Ken’s gaze immediately turned flat. “Since when?”

Liona frowned. “Ken, don’t start.”

“I’m serious.” Ken leaned back in his chair. “I’ve never considered myself engaged to you.”

“Our families arranged our marriage since we were children.”

“That’s our parents’ business.”

“And we’ve always been close.”

Ken slightly raised an eyebrow. “According to you.”

Liona immediately walked closer to Ken’s desk. “So now you’re saying I’m nobody to you?”

“I never gave you any status.”

Those words instantly changed Liona’s expression.

“You changed after that woman came.”

Ken looked at her coldly. “Which woman?”

“Emeli.”

The room immediately felt quieter.

Liona crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s your relationship with her?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re lying.”

Ken remained calm. “I have no reason to explain anything to you.”

“If there’s nothing going on, then why do you keep looking for her?” Liona protested angrily. “Since when do you care about a new employee?”

Ken’s gaze slowly turned cold.

“I don’t like people interfering in my business.”

“But I’m your future wife!”

Ken immediately stood up from his chair. “No, you are not my future wife.”

Those words made Liona fall silent for a moment.

Ken walked closer with a calm yet intimidating expression. “Never try to control my life.”

“Do you like her?”

“Think whatever you want.”

“Ken!”

But Ken instead pressed the intercom button on his desk. “Juna.”

Not long after, the door opened and Juna walked in with his usual professional expression.

“Yes, Sir?”

“Escort Miss Liona out.”

Liona’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re kicking me out?”

Ken looked at her expressionlessly. “I’m busy.”

“I’m not done talking!”

“But I’m done listening.”

Liona clenched her fists in frustration. “You’ve really changed because of that woman.”

Ken did not answer at all.

His silence only made Liona even more frustrated.

“Fine!” she finally snapped. “But remember, our families won’t stay quiet if they find out you’re close to an ordinary woman like her.”

After saying that, Liona immediately grabbed her bag and walked out with heavy steps.

Juna could only let out a small sigh before following her out to calm the situation.

Once the door closed, the room became quiet again.

Ken stood still for a few seconds while staring at the large window behind him.

His thoughts returned to Emeli.

To the scent of that man’s perfume.

And to the fact that Emeli had cried earlier inside the taxi.

His jaw slowly tightened.

Meanwhile downstairs, Emeli finally returned to the design department after feeling a little calmer.

But the moment she entered the room, several gazes immediately turned toward her again.

“Emeli, are you okay?” one of the staff members asked carefully.

Emeli quickly nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Liona really went too far earlier.”

“Yeah,” another person added. “She’s really scary when she’s angry.”

Mr. Andreas, who was standing near the printer, immediately turned around. “Is the problem over now?”

“Yes, Sir,” Emeli answered softly.

Andreas let out a long sigh. “Next time, don’t pull each other’s hair again. I still love my hair.”

Several staff members immediately laughed softly.

Emeli reflexively lowered her head in embarrassment. “Sorry, Sir…”

“I even got slapped earlier.”

“That was an accident…”

Andreas rubbed his forehead dramatically. “Luckily, I’m still handsome.”

The atmosphere in the room finally became a little lighter.

Emeli laughed softly for the first time since earlier that afternoon.

But at the same time, her thoughts drifted back to Aric.

Their date tonight.

For some reason, just thinking about it already made her heart feel lighter.

“Hopefully Ken won’t bother me,” Emeli muttered softly.