Chapter 113 Unreasonable
Emily's cheeks burned hot, a mix of shame and anger: "Alex, let go of me!"
She struggled hard, but her hands and feet were firmly pinned by him, unable to move.
"This is the Johnson family home. If you dare act out again, I'll call for help right now!"
A low chuckle escaped him, his warm breath brushing her ear, filled with obsession and longing.
"Call for help?" He slowly rubbed her ankle, the smooth feel making his heart race: "So everyone can see how the Johnson family's eldest daughter, fresh out of the shower, ended up locked in the study with her ex-husband?"
"You!" Emily glared at him with wide eyes: "You're completely unreasonable!"
She couldn’t understand it. Alex used to be distant, cold and barely willing to spare her a glance.
Why was he acting like this now?
Alex stared at her flushed face, something pent-up finally snapping inside him.
He leaned down, forehead against hers: "Kiss me."
Emily jerked her head up and, without a word, swung her hand to slap him!
But before it landed, he grabbed her wrist.
Alex looked down at her, his eyes darkening with intensity.
"Alex, you're crazy! You're about to get engaged—don't you know that? This is unfair to Grace!" Her voice trembled with anger, her eyes glistening though she forced the tears back. "Let go of me! Or I'll call someone now. Your engagement is coming up—you don't want a scandal right before it, do you?"
The man sneered: "You think I care?"
That single sentence shattered the last bit of calm in her heart.
"If you won't make the first move, I'll do it this time."
With that, he leaned in!
Emily turned her head sharply: "Get lost, or I'll call your mom right now. She cares most about the Baker family's reputation—you might not keep your spot at the company!"
She struggled fiercely, her wrist aching under his grip. In the struggle, the strap of her robe slipped off her shoulder, revealing smooth, pale skin.
Alex's gaze darkened instantly: "Tsk."
He lost control, lowering his head to claim her lips in a possessive kiss.
He'd held back for so long.
Now, he didn't want to anymore.
Her pupils shrank as Emily froze. In the stillness of the study, the touch of their lips was unmistakably clear.
She could even smell the faint cedar scent on him—strange yet familiar.
Just then, footsteps echoed faintly outside the study.
"Where's Mr. Baker?"
"He's in the study waiting for you, but it seems the young lady is there too."
Emily became alert—it was Dad!
She shoved Alex hard: "Stop messing around, get off!"
Alex had heard it too.
As his thin lips pulled away, his eyes stayed dark: "Call me dear."
Emily was stunned: "What?!"
Alex raised a brow: "Call me that, and I'll let go."
The footsteps were getting closer.
Andrew was almost at the door!
Emily panicked, her limbs going weak. She grabbed Alex's suit instinctively: "You're shameless!"
For a moment, Alex thought she would give in. But the next second, she drove her knee straight into his stomach.
"Urgh!" Alex grunted, his grip on her wrist loosening.
Emily broke free, quickly fixing her clothes: "Mr. Baker, please behave."
Click.
The study door opened.
Andrew walked in, his sharp gaze sweeping over them both. When it landed on his daughter's reddened eyes, the politeness in his eyes faded.
"Emmie, why are you here?"
"Dad, I'm tired. I'm heading back to my room." Emily's voice was steady, giving nothing away.
She turned and left quickly. The atmosphere in the study turned icy.
Andrew let the pretense of warmth fall away, as he looked at Alex fixing him with a direct, unmistakable warning glare."Mr. Baker, you know this isn't the time to bother Emmie. The Baker family's engagement announcement has already been announced and every media outlet in the city is watching. Whether it's the company's stock or public opinion, you can't mess around. If you really care about Emmie, stay away from her and her daughter!"
Alex's hand at his side clenched slowly: "Andrew, I know."
Andrew sat behind the desk: "Your position is sensitive right now—every move you make will be blown out of proportion. If you're caught meeting Emmie privately, the ones who'll get hurt are my daughter and granddaughter. They can't handle that kind of scrutiny."
"Besides..." Andrew's face grew serious: "I don't care if you regret it or not—after the engagement, you're Grace's fiancé! If I catch you harassing Emmie again, Johnson Corporation will cut all deals, even if it means offending the Baker family. You won't get near her!"
Alex's knuckles turned white.
He knew Andrew meant it.
With the media watching and the engagement binding him. One wrong move from him
and Emily would be dragged into the storm.
Alex was silent for a long time, then said lowly: "Yeah, I know."
Andrew's expression eased a bit, but his face stayed cold.
Suddenly, Alex looked up: "Andrew, for the west-side land deal, Baker Corporation will make full concessions. All terms will prioritize Johnson Corporation's interests—as compensation."
Andrew paused, clearly not expecting this.
"The deal has its own team. I just hope you stick to your words today and leave Emmie alone!"
Alex nodded slightly and left the study without another word.
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Outside the downtown hotel, luxury cars lined up along the entrance. A red carpet stretched out.
All the prominent families in the city had arrived.
Everyone was there for the engagement party.
The Johnson family was invited too!
Andrew and Lillian led the way, exchanging greetings with familiar faces.
Emily wore a fitted gown with a sharp, elegant cut.
No excessive jewelry—just a sky-blue pendant resting at her collarbone, making her skin appear even fairer.
The venue was too crowded and noisy, so she left Eleanor at home.
As soon as she entered the hall, she drew stares from half the room.
After all, she was Alex's ex-wife.
Everyone in the circle knew.
Now, with Alex getting engaged, she showed up bold as brass.
Her calm poise sparked whispers.
"Isn't that Emily? When did she get back? She dares show up to Mr. Baker's engagement?"
“I’d be too embarrassed to even show my face.”
"Heard she had a daughter after the divorce—no one even knows who the father is.”
"Get real—who doesn't know Mr. Baker and Miss Miller were in love? If Emily hadn't traded family interests for it, Miss Miller would've been Mrs. Baker ages ago!"
"Isn't she just humiliating herself by coming?"
The murmurs pricked like needles.
But Emily ignored them all.