Chapter 53 Anything That Can Be Stolen Is Trash
Late at night, the room was dimly lit by a small lamp.
Liam’s hand roamed along her waist. His palm was slightly rough, sending shivers through her.
“Mmm…” She tried to pull away, but failed.
He lowered his head and bit her ear, her entire body shuddering at his hot breath.
His kisses trailed down her neck; she couldn’t help tilting her head back, her hands clutching the sheets until they crumpled.
She flinched at the faint chill as his other hand undid the buttons of her nightgown.
His hand cupped her breast, kneading it with deliberate pressure.
She moaned softly, instinctively pressing her body against his.
Her mind turned hazy. His lower body pressed against hers, the hardness unmistakable even through his trousers.
He paused, staring at her in the dim light.
Then he leaned down, his tongue entering her mouth, stealing her breath.
Clutching the fabric of his shirt, she felt the hard muscle beneath her fingers.
His hand slid down her back, cupped her waist, and pulled her forcefully against him.
Just then—
“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”
His phone on the nightstand vibrated violently, the screen flaring bright.
It was Oliver calling.
Liam froze, lifting his head with clear irritation. Sweat beaded at his temple.
He glanced at the phone, panting.
It was 2:00 a.m.
“Speak,” he answered, his voice icy.
The call was brief, lasting less than half a minute.
His expression shifted slightly before he hung up.
Without a word, he got out of bed, pulled on his trousers, and picked up his shirt from the floor.
Emma’s face remained flushed; the sudden halt left her hollow, unfulfilled.
Buttoning his shirt, he walked to the bedside and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Something urgent came up. I should go. Don’t wait for me, honey,” Liam murmured.
“Okay.” Emma nodded.
“And… do you have time to help Celeste pick out furniture?” he asked before striding out of the room.
Helping Celeste pick out furniture…
Fine…
⸻
The next day, she got up early and went to the company.
Liam didn’t show up. He didn’t come back that night, either.
…
On Saturday morning, Emma met up with Lillian.
She had planned to look at furniture with Celeste, but Celeste refused, leaving Emma to handle it alone.
Arthur drove, and Lillian and Emma sat in the backseat, flipping through furniture catalogs.
“I didn’t expect you’d help Celeste pick out furniture. She always clings to Liam. I was worried you might mind,” Lillian said, her expression slightly awkward.
“Liam sees her as his own sister, so of course I should treat her like a little sister.” Emma leaned closer to Lillian.
“She’s a month older than you,” Lillian teased, “not exactly a little sister.”
Emma chuckled.
“Liam said the year-end projects are almost finished, and he’ll have about a month off afterward. Have you two planned a wedding?” Lillian asked.
A wedding?
“Well… it feels a bit rushed.” Emma flushed.
“It’s up to you two,” Lillian said with a smile, patting her hand gently.
They visited several custom furniture stores, finalized a plan, and scheduled an in-home measurement.
That evening, Emma treated Lillian to dinner and then had Arthur drive her home.
When she arrived, several makeup artists were waiting at the door. Liam had arranged for them to be there.
⸻
At eight o’clock, Ryan drove over to pick her up.
“Did Lily invite you too?” Emma asked.
“No. She invited Mr. Hayes. I’m here in his place,” he said, sounding resigned.
“Where did he go?”
“I thought you knew.” Ryan sounded surprised.
“Should I call and check?” she asked.
“If you could muster even half the passion you had when dating Ben for Mr. Hayes, he’d probably come running back immediately,” Ryan said with a sigh.
“Hmph…” Emma scoffed.
⸻
The car pulled up to Vineyard Peak Estate.
Ryan parked while Emma waited by the door.
She dialed Liam’s number and got through quickly.
“Where are you?” she asked.
“Miss me?” He chuckled, his voice low and hoarse.
“…”
“I’m at the hospital. Celeste has a heart condition and is still unconscious.”
“What?” Her heart sank.
“Don’t worry. I’ll leave as soon as Daniel gets back. He’s on a business trip, and there’s no one here to watch over her.”
“Okay.”
Silence hung between them for a few seconds.
“Honey?” Liam called.
“…”
“Honey?” Liam called again.
Blushing, Emma hurriedly hung up.
The scene from those nights when they lost themselves, when he called her “honey”… replayed in her mind.
“I’m starving. Not done with your call yet, Emma?” Ryan asked from beside her.
Blinking as clarity returned, Emma turned and walked inside with him.
⸻
The birthday party was crowded, and Lily kept glancing toward the entrance.
When she spotted Ryan and Emma together, she immediately stepped forward. “Ryan, Emma.”
“Happy birthday, Lily!”
“Mr. Hayes…” Lily murmured.
“He couldn’t make it tonight.” Ryan gave an awkward smile.
Lily’s smile froze instantly, and Celeste immediately came to mind.
Emma noticed the subtle shift in her expression.
“I heard Celeste isn’t feeling well. Mr. Hayes probably doesn’t have time,” she added.
Ryan’s eyes widened at Emma.
Lily listened, then sneered.
It was time to cut the cake.
Lily clearly wasn’t happy, but she forced herself to hide it.
⸻
“Emma.” A familiar voice echoed.
It was Rosalind.
“Rosalind.” Emma nodded.
Ryan nodded and tactfully stepped away.
“Thank you.” Rosalind raised her glass and clinked it with hers.
“For what?” Emma asked.
“For bringing my company its first business deal since opening,” Rosalind said with a smile.
“Is that so?” Emma said. “Congratulations, then.”
“That deal actually made me quite a profit,” Rosalind said. “As repayment, I won’t compete with you for men for now… but maybe not in the future.”
“Go ahead and fight for him.” Emma laughed, her eyes glistening slightly. “Anyone worth fighting over is trash anyway.”
Emma and Rosalind talked for a long time, finding an easy, unexpected kinship.
Only after exchanging WhatsApp contacts did they part ways.