"Emily, the promise I made to you twelve years ago still stands. You just enjoy life and leave the rest to me," Elton's hand suddenly covered hers.
His palm was warm, unlike Murray's, which was always cold, making holding his hand feel like grasping a block of ice.Emily was startled and instinctively tried to withdraw her hand, but then she realized, was this a confession?
Noticing his forwardness might have startled Emily, Elton quickly released her hand, stumbling over his words in an apology, "Sorry, I... I got a bit ahead of myself. Did I scare you?"
Emily nodded, then said, "I've always remembered when you said you would take care of me forever, brother."
Hearing her still address him as 'brother,' Elton realized she might have misunderstood his intentions. He longed to tell her that his desire to care for her was not just as a brother but as a lover. Yet, he also thought that with Emily's university life still unfinished, a conf
As Lydia stormed out, Sandy happened to come back. Seeing Lydia's angry retreating figure, Sandy asked, "What set her off again?"Emily didn't reply, simply pointing to the two lunch boxes on her desk. "I saved some food for you. Go heat it." Sandy lifted the lunch box lid, inhaling deeply with satisfaction, her eyes narrowing contentedly. “There's a lecture in the department soon. They've snagged a top-notch business mogul as the speaker. I should head over now and eat later.”Emily thought to herself that explains Lydia's return at this time.Emily thought to herself, no wonder Lydia came back now. Both she and Sandy were finance majors - Lydia had likely rushed back for the lecture, too."Want to come with?" Sandy asked. "No thanks," Emily declined decisively. "Oh, okay then," Sandy said, stuffing a crab leg in her mouth before grabbing her bag and heading out again.Once Sandy was gone, Emily felt an urge to leave, too. Ever since she moved back in, visitors had been frequ
Emily picked up her phone, still carrying Murray’s warm.She sent Sandy her location.Soon enough, Sandy arrived, oblivious to what had transpired. She asked Emily excitedly why she hadn't responded to her messages, but Emily’s expression clearly read “not interested.”Undeterred, Sandy teased, "Guess who the mystery business big shot was tonight?"Emily sipped her freshly served cold beer. “Don’t want to guess.”"You're no fun!" Sandy said. "It was Murray Gibson! Shocking, right?""Oh." Emily nodded; no wonder he had come to see her. “Honestly, I think your part-time job isn’t too bad,” Sandy mused, admitting even she couldn't deny Murray Gibson’s allure despite her usual indifference.Emily didn't interrupt, letting her wax lyrical to her heart's content. Only when she finally wound down did Emily briefly explain Murray's earlier visit and abrupt departure. Sandy took a swig of beer, grimacing at the taste, and then spat it out. “So, the tycoon’s old flame is back? Why haven’t
Murray arrived at the bar in response to Stacey's call.He found her being coerced to drink by a group of people, seemingly part of some rich kids' gathering rather than a business event. He scanned the group coolly - did they really need to get so wasted?Striding over, Murray shoved aside the man blocking his path and tossed him away like trash.The man whipped around, cursing. But spotting Murray, the fist already raised quickly dropped back down again."Oh, Murray! What brings you here?" His tone instantly turned ingratiating."Get lost," Murray said bluntly, not even sparing him a glance as he went over to gather the tipsy Stacey into his arms.The room fell silent, watching as he carried her away.Nestled against Murray's chest, Stacey was quiet in her semi-drunken state, breathing softly.Reaching his car, Murray said, "I'll take you home."“No, I can't go back. If I return like this, my dad will
Emily and Sandy met at the nearby milk tea shop by the hotel. Emily had always known that Murray had someone following her, thinking it was merely for her safety. Only after Woody's odd reaction did she realize the extent of Murray's measures. Returning to school and preparing for graduation was one thing, but a far more critical task must remain hidden from Murray. Emily understood Murray's nature well. If he realized she was aware of his secretive actions, he'd likely cease them. And Woody was the key to it all. First, she had Sandy add Woody on W******p, then arranged for him to meet up, intending to replace Sandy at the rendezvous. Before Woody's arrival, she deliberately let her tail see her, making it appear as if she was on a date. On their way to the hotel, passing a convenience store, she faked a need to buy something, but in reality, she swapped coats with Sandy there. Their heights and builds were similar enough, and with hats and masks in the evening, one couldn't t
After freshening up, Emily and Sandy prepared for bed. As Emily locked the door, she noticed Lydia hadn't returned yet."Can you ask if Lydia is coming back tonight?" Emily asked.Sandy shook her phone, "She posted on Instagram saying she won't associate with people of questionable character and is sleeping in another dorm tonight.""Oh," Emily replied indifferently, locking the door before getting into bed.Sandy turned off the lights and joined her.With Lydia away, they could talk openly without texting each other, even when face-to-face.Emily turned over, lying on her back. Moonlight streamed obliquely through the window, casting a sparse, hazy light on the ceiling. She squinted into the dimness, suddenly curious about what Murray might be doing at that moment. The thought scratched at her heart like tiny claws with sharp nails, tingling and slightly itchy.She reached for her phone, pretending to scroll through Instagram. Severa
Emily chuckled softly, her slender fingers swiping across her phone's screen before holding it up for Lydia. The image on the screen showed a man and woman cheek to cheek in a photo, capturing Lydia's attention completely. Her eyes widened, and her pupils shifted from unfocused to a sharp focus, almost frozen in place. "Want to see something even more exciting?" Emily teased, her eyebrows raised, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "No, no, this is fake; you Photoshopped it; it's not real," Lydia stammered in denial. "Not convinced? Here's something more," Emily said, scrolling through her phone's gallery. She opened a video of Murray wrapping his arm around her, kissing her cheek, and setting it to loop play. Standing beside Lydia, Emily watched the video with her, occasionally making remarks. "The sugar daddy keeping me is quite handsome, isn't he? Almost like those big movie stars." Lydia stared at the intimate couple in the photo; her image of the unattainable Murray Gibs
His searing kisses lingered on her skin, reluctant to part even for a moment.Emily felt herself melting under his touch like a quiver might send her sliding off the seat. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson; she half-resisted, half-surrendered in his embrace, whispering, "Are you serious about this?""Are you playing pretend?" Murray paused, propping himself up on his arms to gaze down at her, his half-closed eyes brimming with desire.The man's intense aura enveloped her, a hint of mint fragrance in the air, "Don't you find it thrilling?"Emily bit her lip, nodding shyly, her face flush in embarrassment. Outside, the rush hour traffic was in full swing, with bustling crowds and a whirl of activity. Inside the car, they were a picture of intimacy, a stirring scene indeed."Shall we continue?" Murray's voice was dangerously enticing.Her cheeks blushing furiously, Emily timidly reached down to unbuckle his belt."Are you sure about doin
The restaurant boasted chefs from various countries, allowing customers who booked the entire venue to choose their preferred cuisine.Despite knowing Murray preferred mild flavors and couldn't handle spicy food, Emily deliberately chose Spanish dishes, emphasizing extra spicy."Just as Miss Rockefeller wishes," Murray said casually, loosening his suit button and sitting down with an air of nonchalance."What would you like to drink?" he asked Emily."Dry white wine," Emily replied quickly.Murray slightly furrowed his brow, then instructed the waiter, "Get one from the L winery, any vintage or grade."After the waiter left, he sat up straight, leaning back in his chair while elegantly folding his napkin onto his lap. He lifted his eyelids to look at Emily, "Satisfied?"Emily propped her head with her hands, her eyes crinkling into a smile, and let out a light "hmm.""Too bland? Want to change it?" Murray wasn't fond of white w
In the coffee shop, Murray pushed aside his sugar-added coffee, a gesture Stacey noticed as her hand paused, spoon in mid-air. "What's wrong?""I never add sugar to my coffee," Murray said with a smile."Before..." Stacey started, then stopped, realizing the significance. What used to be was in the past; now it was a different story."Why did you ask me to come here?" Stacey dropped the spoon into the cup, a droplet of dark brown liquid splashing onto the white saucer, starkly visible.Murray looked puzzled. "Wasn't it you who invited me?"Stacey, half amused and half irritated, pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and pushed it toward Murray.A message inviting her for a meeting, signed by Murray, flashed on the screen.Murray frowned; he had received a similar message from the same number. He dialed the number from Stacey's phone, which was quickly answered. "How is it going? Did Murray show up? Talk it out. After so many
"Is it well peeled?" Holding up the neatly peeled apple, Emily smiled with her eyes curving into crescents. "Look, I didn't break the peel even once."Elton opened his mouth but suddenly found himself at a loss for words. An invisible wall stood between them, unseen yet palpably separating them."Mr. Cromwell, may I come in?" Sandy stood at the door with her laptop, her arrival seemingly a rescue for Elton."Come in."Emily stood up. "If you need to discuss work, I won't intrude."Elton politely insisted it was okay for her to stay, but Emily mentioned that now that she, too, worked at the company, it was proper to follow protocol.Elton didn't press her to stay any longer.Before leaving, Sandy gave Emily a knowing wink, and Emily nodded in understanding.Once outside the hospital, Emily searched on her phone for the nearest mall. She planned to do some shopping. Ronald had called her, pleading for her to attend his mother's b
Entering the office, the supervisor perused Emily's file, her brows knitting into a tight knot. This resume was the most outlandish she had ever seen since joining the company. However, the more outlandish it was, the clearer it became that this girl was no ordinary employee.She gestured for Emily to sit, her tone softening slightly, "Your team members have formally accused you of malicious competition."As Emily predicted, those two must have claimed that she had hidden other members' reports to favor her own.Emily remained expressionless. "Was it Lydia or Karen?"The supervisor was taken aback by her directness. "Both of them have made allegations.""Oh," Emily nodded, meeting the supervisor's gaze calmly, "I assume you investigate such claims."The teacher's eyebrows lifted in surprise; the young lady didn't seem like a novice in the workplace. "Indeed, at Bucapital, a major company, we don't target any employee based solely on an accus
"Starting to check up on me now?" Murray teased as he playfully kissed Emily, pausing between each peck.Emily dodged his kisses with a smile, "If you're avoiding answering, you must have had dinner with a woman."Murray pinched her cheek lightly, "Even if there were women at the dinner, they were business partners. Does gender really matter?""Fair enough," Emily said, pushing his shoulders to sit up. "I have a question for you."Seeing her serious expression, Murray couldn't help but smile."Be serious, don't laugh," Emily chided, tapping his shoulder.Murray composed himself, waiting for her question."If, and I'm just saying if, someone made you choose between me and Stacey, who would you pick?"Murray frowned, "What kind of childish question is that?""Just answer me," Emily urged, shaking his arm.Murray squeezed her hand firmly, his voice cold, "I'd choose to eliminate the person forcing me to make that cho
Caught under the intense gaze of such a handsome man, Donna couldn't bring herself to look up, her face flushing like pomegranate seeds.Emily, noticing Humphrey's look, immediately understood his intentions. She swiftly pulled Donna behind her, speaking firmly, "I'm warning you, don't even think about it."With a puzzled expression, Donna thought to herself, 'The boss is interested in me? Is this really happening?'She discreetly poked Emily's waist, internally pleading, 'Please don't stop the boss from showing interest in me.'Emily, misunderstanding Donna's gesture as fear of offending Humphrey, reassuringly patted her shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm here. He won't dare do anything to you."Humphrey raised an eyebrow and leaned forward to get a better look at Donna. As someone experienced in reading women, he was well aware of what they desired and confident in his allure.Humphrey snapped his fingers at Donna, tilting his chin suggestively,
As Elton left with Odelia, he avoided Emily's gaze. However, Emily stopped him with a smile, "You should go to the hospital first."Elton looked up, meeting her smiling face. She spoke with concern, but her eyes lacked their usual sparkling brightness. Suddenly, his steps felt unbearably heavy, as if they were laden with lead."Are you coming or not?" Odelia impatiently tugged at his sleeve.Regaining his composure, Elton sighed, hunched over, and slowly shuffled out."If you want to cry, just let it out," Humphrey, lounging on the sofa, his arm supporting his head, said to Emily with an amused smile.Emily sensed a change in the atmosphere after the two left. Humphrey's demeanor shifted from malicious mockery to a gentle familiarity, unintentionally lowering her guard.Standing for so long, her legs had become numb. Emily moved to sit on the sofa opposite Humphrey, her tone calm, "Why should I cry?"Humphrey, lips curled in a meaning
As he spoke, Humphrey paused briefly, his gaze unabashedly sweeping over Emily."Out of the two, one must stay with me today. As for who stays, you decide."He leaned back into the sofa, seemingly amused by his own game. Resting his chin on the back of his hand, he chuckled lightly.Emily looked at Elton, seeing him clench his teeth, his eyes bloodshot with anger.Clinging to Humphrey's leg, Odelia complained, "I'm your girlfriend; how can you say such things in front of me?""Girlfriend?" Humphrey laughed so hard his shoulders shook. He wrapped an arm around her, his voice soft but his eyes chillingly cold, "I have many pets, but certainly no girlfriend."Odelia turned pale, incredulous, "You see me as your pet?"Humphrey laughed again, "You're not even a pet, to be precise, a toy.""No, that's not true. You've
Emily donned a sleek, all-black ensemble, complete with a baseball cap, and just before stepping out, she clipped a pen to her waist.In the car, her thoughts were in turmoil. She hardly knew Humphrey, but it was clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.Yet, Elton had insisted on keeping the Cromwells in the dark. Contacting the police would blow their cover, so she pondered texting Murray for help but ultimately decided against it, not wanting to drag him into this messy affair.Parking on the Road, she didn't head straight for the back streets. A glance around revealed two traffic officers at the street corner, offering a slight reassurance.She then fished a tiny pepper spray from her pocket, holding it tightly in her palm, before venturing into the dark alley. Fortunately, it was short, and she emerged quickly.Outside, she spotted a tall, lean young man leaning agai
After work, Emily stepped out of the skyscraper, not wanting to return to the villa. She walked slowly along the sidewalk, the city lights just beginning to twinkle. The streets bustled with traffic, and the colorful lights on the overpass lit up like a rainbow arching over the city.The CBD, every inch of it worth its weight in gold, seemed like two different worlds by day and night. The aroma of various street foods wafted from the carts lining the road, stirring up a voracious appetite in passersby."The hustle and bustle of life, it truly soothes the soul," Emily thought, looking up and taking a deep breath. Then, she pulled out her phone and ordered a takeaway for two, hoping to share it with Donna.However, Donna was out at a dinner party.It seemed every time Emily called Donna. Lately, she has been at some social events. Emily couldn't help but wonder what kind of entertainment company Donna