Chapter 32 Trying to Seduce the Boss
Emma froze. Wasn’t he sleeping at home last night?
She unlocked her phone and opened his chat window.
No new messages.
“Your eyes are so swollen, Emma. Did you get Botox?” Iris leaned in close.
Emma smiled faintly and said nothing.
“Did you hear? The branch promoted two department managers—one from Corporate Communications and one from our department. Both are top-notch!” Iris continued.
She pulled Emma into a WhatsApp group reserved for company executives.
“I thought that when Ethan got promoted, you’d move up a level, too. Then I’d finally have someone to lean on,” Iris said.
“That’s not a good idea, Iris.” Emma picked up her compact mirror to examine her puffy eyes, then glanced at her phone.
“You’ve checked your phone so many times in just one hour. What’s up? Got a new crush?” Iris seized the chance to tease. “Found love in S-Country?”
Emma froze and turned to look at her.
“It seems like you’re the one craving romance.” She retorted.
Then she finally opened her laptop to compile the S-Country Fashion Week summary.
She worked straight through until lunchtime and headed to the cafeteria.
Sitting alone by the window, she ate distractedly.
Suddenly, two lunches appeared on her table—Ryan’s and Liam’s.
Startled, Emma stared at the two men across from her.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Didn’t you sleep well last night, Emma?” Liam remarked, noticing her visibly puffy eyelids.
“Good morning? Tsk, tsk…” Ryan shook his head.
Iris, walking by, spotted the two big shots sitting with Emma. Startled, she quickly pointed to the empty seats nearby and hurried away from the VIPs.
“I’ll be rushing to finish year-end work over the next few days, so I might not be able to leave on time,” Liam said softly.
“…”
Ryan quickly ate a few bites before hurrying away.
“An urgent company matter came up last night, so I had to step out,” Liam continued, setting down his knife and fork. “I probably won’t be home for the next few days.”
“Okay,” she murmured, biting her lip.
Is he reporting to me?
Silence fell.
“Please take your time, Mr. Hayes. I’m finished and will leave first.” She felt flustered and hurried away.
“Mhm.” He nodded and resumed eating absentmindedly.
…
For over a week afterward, Liam didn’t return to the villa. Whether he was avoiding her or not, Emma rarely saw him at the office either.
One weekend, she arrived at the clothing store.
Hunter, deeply focused on his work, glanced up and took a moment to recognize her.
“Emma?”
“Hunter!”
She stood beside him, smiling brightly.
Hunter scanned the area but didn’t see Liam.
“Where is he?”
“He’s swamped. It’s year-end.” She picked up his ruler and started playing with it.
“What brought you here?”
“I want to make him a garment myself,” she spoke shyly, “Could you help me?”
“Did you tear up his clothes again? If so, I’ll find some cheap fabric for him.” Hunter frowned.
“No, no! Grandpa, I just want to make him a shirt.” She explained.
“No problem!” Hunter was delighted. “But you’ll have to come back tomorrow. I don’t have time today.”
“That’s fine. I can help you out. When I get my clothes made, could you give me some pointers?” Emma asked.
“Haha! Great!” He agreed readily.
Emma stayed and helped him prepare fabrics and cut garments.
After a busy day, she was completely worn out.
Around four or five in the afternoon, she fell asleep in the chair.
When she woke up, it was eight o’clock at night.
Back at the villa, the maids had finished their work and left, leaving the large house empty and quiet. She almost felt her own breath echo.
For the next several days, she worked late at the shop, sometimes staying behind long after others had left.
Eventually, Hunter simply gave her an extra key.
On Friday, the two new managers arrived: Jack Cooper from Corporate Communications and Lily from Design.
Liam came downstairs to greet them personally.
It was the first time she had seen Liam in two weeks. He wore the same all-black suit and radiated an aura of unapproachable reserve.
“Manager Lily, your office is this way.” Ryan led the way.
Lily followed closely behind while Liam trailed at the rear, looking visibly exhausted.
Ryan stopped beside Emma’s office. Lily stepped inside and surveyed her new workspace.
Liam paused at Emma’s desk and fiddled with the stuffed animal on it.
Iris was startled. Flustered, she dashed back to the restroom.
The design department was unusually quiet.
Emma returned from the break room.
Seeing the man at her workstation, she paused, tightening her grip on her freshly brewed coffee.
She approached cautiously and placed the coffee and documents on the desk.
“Mr. Hayes,” she said, leaning slightly forward.
“Mhm.” He responded lazily.
“Did you need me?”
“I’m tired. Taking a break.”
“Understood.”
She could only bring another chair over and work beside him.
The group chat started buzzing.
\[Emma, did you offend the CEO back in S Country?\]
\[He actually made our Emma work on a low stool!\]
\[Don’t indulge him. Just sit on his lap.\]
\[Just flirt with him already, Emma.\]
\[Don’t you think Emma and the CEO are a perfect match?\]
Emma stared at these messages popping up on WhatsApp, utterly speechless.
Someone even took a photo.
“Everyone, put your work aside for a moment!” Ryan stood in the center of the design department, with Lily beside him.
All turned their eyes to the new manager.
“This is Lily Foster, the new manager of the design department…”
Then Lily began her self-introduction.
Emma listened attentively but noticed that Liam was watching the desktop.
Oh no.
She crouched slightly and carefully reached behind her to touch the mouse, intending to close WhatsApp.
Instead, she touched a pair of warm, large hands. She quickly pulled her hand back and stole a glance at Liam.
He was moving the mouse and looking at the messages in the WhatsApp chat window.
She gritted her teeth as she twisted his wrist.
He was chuckling softly behind her.
Fortunately, no one noticed their exchange.