Chapter 12 Liam’s Wife
“Emma! You kept me waiting,” Hunter called as he emerged from the estate, smiling broadly as he hurried toward them.
“Liam’s wife,” he said to the security guard, gesturing toward Emma.
Everyone at the gate went still.
“Why did you come in separate cars?” Hunter asked, looking between the two of them. “Did you quarrel?”
Emma shot Liam a silent plea with her eyes.
He gave a soft chuckle and stepped out of the car. “Grandfather, please go inside first.”
He offered Hunter his arm and guided him toward the gate.
Hunter didn’t move immediately. Though he clearly wanted to intervene, even he knew when to stay quiet.
Liam walked back to Emma, his expression cold. “What’s going on?”
She instinctively stepped back.
“I don’t know. I only came to pick up the custom-made clothes,” she said, doing her best to sound innocent.
“Then why did Grandfather say you’re my wife?” His tone was ice, edged with anger and rejection.
“I don’t know…” She hesitated, then added in a small voice, “I asked him to make you a shirt…”
He went still. “You know my measurements?”
“I didn’t. I brought your jacket and told him…” Her face heated. “Told him it was for my boyfriend and asked him to use the suit for the measurements.”
“What exactly did you say?” he pressed.
“I said it was for my boyfriend and asked him to tailor it based on the jacket.”
“How clever.” Liam let out a short laugh. “You’ve really landed yourself in trouble.”
He folded his arms and glanced toward Hunter, who was still nearby, clearly waiting to see what they would do.
“Did I… cause trouble?” she asked.
“All my clothes are custom-made by Grandfather and embroidered with my name,” he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers. “No wonder he asked me last time if any of my clothes had been torn…”
“…” Only now did Emma grasp how badly she’d stepped in it.
“Today is Grandfather’s eightieth birthday. All our relatives and business associates are here,” he continued, watching her carefully.
Her throat tightened. “What should I do?”
“Grandfather came out personally to welcome you. They’re probably all waiting for ‘Liam’s wife’ to arrive.”
Emma stared at him, horrified, her eyes full of wordless pleading.
“Either come in with me,” he said calmly, “or explain yourself to Grandfather.”
He turned his gaze back toward the old man waiting by the gate.
What should I do? Leave, or not?
If she went in, every relative and guest would dissect her from head to toe.
After a moment’s struggle, she finally said, “I’ll follow your lead…”
“Follow my lead?” Liam’s brows lifted, genuinely surprised.
Is this stubborn girl actually compromising?
“Yes, I…”
“Then come with me.” His gaze pinned her in place, sharp and unwavering.
She forced a smile, then hesitated. “Is there really no other option?”
“You can get in your car and drive away right now,” he said, turning his back to her.
“If I leave, won’t you have to deal with the fallout?” she asked, meeting his deep, oppressive eyes.
“That’s none of your concern,” he replied coldly, his jaw tightening.
“I’m… truly sorry,” she murmured, dropping her gaze under the weight of his stare.
He exhaled, then went to help Hunter into the car and drove through the estate gates.
Emma stood frozen outside, hands balled into fists.
“Such a good girl, and that’s all you can say to her? Bastard,” Hunter snapped from the passenger seat.
Liam’s expression darkened, but he said nothing.
“Still hung up on that wretched ex-girlfriend of yours? Has she come back even once?” Hunter barked. “When are you going to fix that temper?”
“Grandpa, I don’t like her,” Liam said suddenly, his eyes glinting.
“Don’t like her? Then why was that fifty-thousand-dollar coat wrapped around her shoulders instead of mine?”
…
The car rolled to a stop near the castle-like main house.
He’d expected Emma to have driven off by now. Instead, she followed them in.
Their eyes met, neither of them speaking. Hunter sensed the tension and tactfully wandered off.
That heavy gaze fell on her again. Behind his rimless glasses, something flickered, then vanished.
“Do you understand the consequences of going in there?” Liam asked.
She shook her head and instinctively stepped back. Her shoulders hit the car door.
“If you go inside with me, it’ll be hard to walk away. Tonight, we’ll sleep in the same bed. Tomorrow, we’ll register the marriage.”
“Since I’m already here…” She tried to sound calm, but her voice still wavered.
He fell quiet, his gaze intensifying.
His throat moved as he swallowed, then he gave a slow, measured nod. “So you’ve decided to be the mistress of the Hayes family?”
“I can play along tonight,” she blurted. “At least I won’t make things awkward for you.”
“Should I thank you for your generosity?” He let out a soft, humourless laugh. “Emma, if you haven’t made up your mind, then leave. I don’t play games.”
His calm tone held a cutting edge.
She tightened her grip on her car keys. “Sorry for disturbing you.”
She opened the door, got in, and stepped on the accelerator, speeding away from the estate.
He stayed where he was, watching her car disappear, his face unreadable.
Emma’s hands shook on the steering wheel.
When she finally pulled over, she opened her phone and typed:
Emma → Hunter:
\[Sorry, Mr. Hayes. Something urgent came up. I’ll visit another time. Please give the custom-made clothes directly to Liam.\]
\[Transferring $1,500\]
The payment bounced back almost immediately.
Hunter → Emma:
\[Emma, no need to thank me. Come visit together next time.\]
\[No need to pay for his suits—I’d be making them for him sooner or later anyway.\]
So he’s already admitted our “relationship” to the family?
A laugh slipped out.
Does a rich young master really expect lifelong commitment after just one night? That’s… rare.
She opened WhatsApp, intending to message Liam about the shirt.
He’d blocked her.
That bastard.
Her slender fingers tightened as she tapped into his profile and blocked him right back.
Fine. We’re done.
Biting her lip, she drove downtown, grabbed a quick meal, then went home.
The living room was overflowing with packed suitcases. The sight alone was enough to sour her mood.