Chapter 380
As James looked at them together, a pang hit his heart. They seemed too cozy, all open and chummy, cheeks squished together. Armando, with his serious and icy demeanor, appeared almost heartless. But James knew better; beneath that frosty exterior simmered a hidden fire, ready to ignite.
The creak of the door made Armando glance up. Spotting James, he straightened, tapping the table lightly, guilt nowhere in sight. Emily, looking puzzled, followed his gaze to James at the entrance.
"Hey, James, what's up?" Emily greeted him, pleasantly surprised.
James walked in, his voice monotone, "What are you drawing?"
At James' question, Emily's eyes widened, swiftly gathering her sketches into a drawer, playing mysterious. "Can't spill the beans just yet."
A shadow crossed James's face, but Emily had already packed up and approached.
"No late shift today?" James inquired.
"I missed you, so I popped by," James stated.
A small smile tugged at Emily's lips. She leaned in, planting a quick kiss on James's lips. "Missed you too."
Observing this, Armando's gaze darkened. "I'll head back to the office. You two carry on."
However, instead of leaving, Armando veered towards a wall on the left side of the office, revealing a door that James hadn't noticed before.
Once Armando exited, James's expression soured. "Your offices are connected?"
Emily nodded casually. "Armando's office is next door. He set this up for me a few years back and has kept it for me since."
James furrowed his brow. So, Armando had his eye on Emily for years.
Pushing down his unease, James asked, "Had dinner?"
Emily replied, "Armando took me for some killer Mexican burritos."
Then she turned to James. "You eat?"
Though hungry, James fibbed, "I'm good."
His tone chilled, "Since you're busy, I'll take off."
Perplexed, Emily questioned, "You just got here, why leave so soon?"
Struggling for words, James used work as an excuse. "Been swamped lately."
Sensing James's mood, Emily wondered if jealousy was rearing its head again. She looped her arm through his. "I'll come with you."
Seeing Emily's beaming face, James quelled his jealousy. "Let's grab some late-night grub."
Emily was taken aback. "But you said you already ate?"
James joked, "I'm just a bottomless pit."
They ventured to a secluded, elusive restaurant tucked away in the alleys. Despite the chilly trek, a steaming bowl of chicken soup warmed Emily's insides. Seeing James lost in thought, she prodded, "How's things at Smith Group? Nicole has the Allens on board, but the Mellons are iffy. Are you sure you can sway them?"
James sidestepped Emily's question, proposing she kickstart her jewelry brand with full backing from him and the Smith Group.
As Cassia's major shareholder, Emily was satisfied with the dividends and Armando's support. She couldn't fathom betraying him to start anew.
James couldn't unravel her dilemma. He couldn't spill about his suspicions of Armando or his unease with Emily's constant proximity to him. Emily didn't believe Armando harbored feelings for her, and James wouldn't push her to sacrifice her career for him unless she desired a change.
James fell silent, head bowed. "Just a thought. Forget it if it doesn't sit right."
Sensing James was holding back, Emily phoned Ryan after James had left the office. Ryan mentioned that James fretted over the informal meeting with the four major families the next day, so Emily let it go.
The following day, representatives from the Mellon and Allen families arrived at Smith Group. Keith from the Mellons and Nolan Allen, Eric's dad, were in attendance. Eric, James's childhood pal, murmured, "Give me a second. Let's not butt heads with him today."
The meeting room housed Keith, Nolan, James, and Ryan's Dream Project crew. Ryan pitched the project, highlighting AI's unstoppable growth and its potential to reshape the future. Smith Group extended a thirty percent share offer to bring both families on board.
Keith grew antsy, slamming the proposal down. "James, in the past, I'd back you blind, even if you pitched junk. But now, seeing my daughter like this, the Mellons won't dance to your tune anymore. I won't invest a dime. I'm here to set things straight."
Though aware that Sunny's injury wasn't James's doing, Keith couldn't shake his resentment. Seated at the head of the table, James stayed composed. "Already running the show for the Mellons, brother-in-law?"