"Director Chen, quite the bold claim."
A cold voice cut through the private room, entering everyone's ears.
Everyone looked toward the door. Nathan showed no trace of a smile as he walked in slowly, step by step, stopping between Emily and Director Chen.
With one hand, Nathan grabbed Director Chen's wrist. His gaze shifted to Emily, his brows slightly furrowed. "Move over."
Emily froze, staring straight into his eyes. After a moment, she shifted to the main seat beside them, curling herself into the chair.
She secretly glanced at Nathan for a long time, still dazed.
Nathan draped his coat over her shoulders, then walked toward Director Chen. "Director Chen, cheers."
Director Chen's hand was still trapped in Nathan's grip. His whole body trembled as he looked at Nathan standing straight before him. "I wouldn't dare, Mr. Reed. Let me toast you instead."
His hand shook as he raised his glass.
Nathan scanned the table, picked up the glass in front of Emily, and glanced at the lipstick mark on its rim. He placed his lips directly over it.
Director Chen watched as Nathan drained the entire glass, his voice trembling. "Impressive, Mr. Reed."
Nathan tilted his head back to finish the drink, then looked down at the glass in Director Chen's hand, raising an eyebrow.
Director Chen immediately emptied his own glass. After swallowing, he met Nathan's cold gaze, his vision beginning to blur.
"Not continuing, Director Chen?" Nathan leaned back in his chair, pulling Emily—chair and all—closer to him. His hand rested naturally on her shoulder.
Director Chen supported his head, then quickly reached for a bottle in the center of the table.
Looking at the full bottle, he glanced cautiously at Nathan. "Mr. Reed, I'll start."
Nathan tapped the table lightly in rhythm with the music, speaking casually. "No need to hold back, Director Chen. Since you like drinking, have more. It's fine."
Leaning forward slightly, Nathan's lips moved faintly. "I trust no one here minds if all the drinks tonight are reserved for Director Chen alone."
His fingers pointed lazily around the table. No one dared meet his eyes. When his gaze landed on Emily, a trace of warmth flickered in his otherwise cold expression.
Emily held her forehead, head lowered, not looking at him. She felt dizzy, on the verge of falling asleep.
The previously composed elites exchanged glances, then quickly looked away from the flushed Director Chen, silently agreeing.
Nathan turned back to him, his tone both soft and firm. "Please, Director Chen, continue."
"Mr. Reed…" Director Chen's voice trembled.
Nathan's eyes swept the room lazily. Director Chen immediately pulled a bottle toward himself, gripping it tightly, his fingers turning pale. "Mr. Reed, I'll finish this one."
Nathan turned to look at Emily beside him, who was holding her stomach with her head lowered. He leaned down and whispered by her ear, "Not feeling well?"
The warmth of his palm spread across her abdomen. Emily instinctively grabbed his hand and nodded. "That time of the month."
Her brows were tightly furrowed, her face turning pale. Her voice was weak. "Nathan… take me out of here, okay?"
Nathan looked at her pale face and pressed his lips together. "Okay."
He lifted Emily into his arms and, looking at everyone present, said coldly, "What happens tonight stays here."
Before leaving, he gave a slight nod to his assistant waiting outside. The assistant immediately closed the door tightly and smiled at the people inside. "Please stay seated."
"Assistant Gu, what does this mean?" one of the men asked.
Caleb Gu kept his polite smile. "The president's orders—once all the alcohol on the table is finished, you may leave."
He raised his hand, and the staff behind him placed ten unopened bottles in front of everyone. Then Caleb spoke again, "Please begin."
With a courteous yet distant smile, he stood there—approachable yet untouchable. The elites exchanged looks and had no choice but to drink.
Parking garage.
Nathan gently placed Emily in the back seat, then got in from the other side.
The scent of jasmine mixed with alcohol filled the car. Nathan rolled down the window and loosened his tie.
"Drive," he said coldly.
The driver glanced at them through the rearview mirror. Emily lay limply against Nathan, her hand wandering over his abs.
Nathan leaned his head back, trying to restrain her restless hand, his voice low and strained. "Emily, don't move." His tone sounded like he was grinding his teeth.
"Mmm… mm." Emily's voice was soft and breathy.
Nathan's throat moved repeatedly, his breathing uneven. The tie at his neck had already fallen onto the seat.
He gently caught her hand, rubbing it over and over in his palm until it turned visibly red before finally letting go.
The car stopped steadily in front of a big house. The driver spoke softly, "We're here, Mr. Reed."
Nathan looked at the villa ahead, then down at Emily lying on his lap. He leaned closer and whispered, "Emily, we're here."
She didn't open her eyes, her soft voice lingering against his chest.
Nathan looked at her, a discomfort stirring in his heart. He lifted her into his arms. Her red-soled heels touched the ground briefly as his lips brushed lightly against her hair.
His ears flushed red as he walked past the servants at the entrance, expressionless.
Second floor, master bedroom.
Nathan gently placed Emily on the bed, supporting himself with one hand on the sheets as he looked at her half-asleep face. His thoughts became chaotic, his heartbeat racing.
He sat at the edge of the bed, clutching his chest as it rose and fell rapidly, forcing himself to steady his breathing.
Throwing his coat onto the sofa, Nathan staggered into the bathroom. He closed his eyes as the sound of water drowned everything—but his mind was filled with her.
When he came out, he wore only a thin bathrobe. Droplets slid from his hair, falling onto the sheets and leaving damp marks.
Nathan stood by the bed, looking at her face. His hand stopped just before touching her cheek. His gaze deepened, and instead, his hand fell onto her arm.
He gently tucked her arm back under the blanket, adjusted it, and leaned down to whisper softly by her ear, "Good night."
Ring—
Nathan picked up the phone from the table. The screen lit up: Ms. Yu. He paused, glancing at the sleeping Emily.
"Hello."
Yvonne froze for a moment, looking at the screen displaying Emily's name before bringing the phone back to her ear. "Who is this?"
"Nathan." His voice was calm and distant.
There was a long pause on the other end before she spoke again, "Mr. Reed?"
Nathan didn't respond. He glanced at Emily sleeping beside him. "What is it?"
Yvonne took a moment, her voice returning to calm. "Please have Emily return my call tomorrow."