Hearing Helen's response, Emma could only sigh inwardly and accept the assignment. She picked up the folder and walked out.
Once she returned to her desk and flipped open the folder, her brows slightly furrowed. The order came from Hunt Corporation-it was a design job for their president, Ethan, who would be attending a charity gala next month.
So that's what this was. Helen probably heard some rumors about her supposed connection with Ethan and figured she'd be the perfect person for the job. What a way to take advantage of office gossip.
Design something for Ethan? Emma thought of that man's insufferable attitude and-slightly annoyed-grabbed her pencil and jabbed it twice at his name on the paper.
At the same moment, Ethan, who was listening to a report from his team, unexpectedly sneezed twice. Rubbing his nose in confusion, he muttered, "Weird... Am I getting a cold?"
...
Two hours later.
"Ugh, it's boiling out here..."
It was around lunch rush, crazy traffic, so Emma decided not to hail a cab. Instead, she walked in the blazing 28-degree sun for over an hour, trekking from the west side of the city to the towering Hunt Corporation building downtown.
The second she stepped inside the lobby, a wave of cool air hit her, finally easing the heat that had stuck to her skin like glue.
"Hi, I'm Emma, a designer with Daisy Design Studio. I'm here about the outfit for Mr. Hunt for the charity event next month."
At the front desk, Emma kept her tone polite, but the immaculately dressed receptionist just snorted and gave her a dismissive once-over.
"Daisy Design? Our president usually works with Swiss indie designers. When did we start letting just anyone handle his wardrobe?"
Surrounded daily by employees decked in the latest high-end pieces, the receptionist couldn't help but sneer at Emma's simple T-shirt and jeans. After tossing out her comment, she didn't say another word to Emma.
Emma wasn't in the mood to argue with snobs. Without a word, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed straight for the elevators.
If she remembered right, Ethan's office was on the top floor. No surprise there-he always did love that "king of the mountain" view.
"Ding-" The elevator doors opened. Emma stepped out, passed an empty desk, and without thinking twice, pushed open the frosted glass doors to the inner office.
What she didn't expect was to walk in on a scene straight out of a soap opera.
Right in front of her was a woman in a tight red dress, half perched on a chair by Ethan's massive desk. Her body was practically draped over his thigh, arms snaking behind his waist, her fingers gently tracing him. Her dress had ridden up, baring a pale, smooth thigh.
Things were clearly about to heat up... until Emma barged in.
At the sound of the door creaking open, the woman looked up, irritation flickering on her heavily made-up face.
"Who the hell are you? Ever heard of knocking?"
She finally managed to sneak into the CEO's office today, thinking she'd get a moment alone with him. Nope. Didn't even get started before someone barged in. Just her luck.
That thought had the woman glaring even harder at Emma.
"Sorry to kill the mood, Ethan," Emma said, tone flat but slightly amused as she took in the scene-Ethan sitting there like nothing happened, and the woman next to him clearly pissed off.
"You seriously think you can talk to him like that? Know you're interrupting? Then get lost!" The woman's attitude exploded when Emma kept ignoring her, throwing daggers with her eyes.
Right then, Ethan finally looked up and dropped a cold, single word: "Leave."
The woman perked up instantly, thinking he had her back. She straightened up, smug all over her face.
"Did you hear that? Mr. Hunt told you to leave!"
Emma let out a dry chuckle, half-laughing at herself as she adjusted her bag and turned to go. But then came his voice again-this time sharper, colder.
"I meant you."
Emma froze mid-step. The woman stared at him, shocked, lips parting like she wanted to say something. But when she met his emotionless gaze, she instantly shrank back.
"S-sorry, Mr. Hunt. I'm leaving now."
She snatched her purse and scurried out like a dog with its tail between its legs.
Once the door shut, Emma shifted her eyes back to him. "I'm the designer assigned to handle your clothing order."
"I know."
Ethan looked at her calmly and stood up, brushing off his suit jacket as he moved closer.
"Why didn't you let me know you were coming? I could've sent someone to pick you up."
Emma placed her bag down and gave a short laugh. "Pick me up? If I'd said I was coming, guess I would've missed quite the show."
Regardless of how close they were or weren't, she was still legally his wife. What he'd done today? It crossed a line.
Unaware of her thoughts, Ethan leaned back against his desk, arms folded over his chest, a faint smirk on his face, speaking lightly. "She sat on my lap. I didn't touch her."
"What does that have to do with me?" Emma replied coolly, though the edge in her expression had softened a bit. She dug into her bag, pulling out sketches, tape, and a notepad, laying everything on the desk.
"Alright, Mr. Hunt. Stand over there, arms out. I need your measurements."
"Sure, no problem." He chuckled faintly at the serious look on her face, then moved to where she pointed.
As he got into position, Emma walked over, business-like and focused. "Arms out. Feet together."
Bound by Revenge, Torn by Love
They are from different worlds but have one thing in common. The same enemy. The Gilberts. He wants them down to pay for the assassination of his father. She wants them down to regret messing with a lowlife when her lover was given away in an arranged marriage in place of her. Together, Amelia and Andrey must crush the most influential family in the city while fighting the feelings that grow between them after having sworn never to fall in love again.
The Maltreated Wife's Glorious Comeback
Ashley has always lived her life on the reins after she got married to her husband Andrew Morales who in other words was a manwhore. Despite being married to Ashley, he still goes around sleeping with different women. Ashley silently endured all these treatment because she was a single mother and the society doesn't smile at single mothers. But everything changed with the arrival of a new boss at her company who fell for her Instantly. When she handed her husband the divorce papers, he went on his knees begging her. But it was already too late. Or was it not?
The CEO's Reborn Love
"Every alligator here is Sebastian's prized possession, but they're all dead because of you." Olivia laughed charmingly. "As compensation, I'll give you to the remaining alligators. That way, your five years of loving him won't be in vain." Hearing rustling from the bushes behind her, Adriana's body immediately trembled. "Olivia, you're insane! I curse you to never live happily with Sebastian and to die a horrible death!" Olivia laughed coldly. "Sebastian himself said that the alligators here haven't been fed fresh meat in a long time. If you want to hate someone, then hate him." The fear of death and Olivia's words crushed Adriana's chest like a heavy stone. It felt like her heart was being gripped by someone, the pain was so intense she could barely breathe. Sebastian's decision... Even at the end, he had no intention of letting her body go. To such an extent he hated her. Adriana smiled bitterly, tears welling up in her eyes. •••• Adriana Hudson had loved Sebastian Kingsley with all her heart, only to face the most painful betrayal. He had cheated on her with her own stepsister, Olivia. As if that wasn't enough, on the day of their wedding, he ordered his mistress to throw her into an alligator pond to kill her. Not only did she die a tragic death, but she also lost the child she was carrying. In that moment, Adriana swore that if she were given a second chance, she would never love him again. Now reborn, Adriana is determined to make those who wronged her feel the pain of betrayal a thousand times over. But why is Sebastian so determined to cling to her this time, even protecting her from those very people? Wasn't Olivia the woman he loved? Sebastian: "Riana, you can learn to trust me." Adriana only looked at him in silence. The pain of being devoured by alligators still haunted her, so could she trust him again? And perhaps... Perhaps what happened in her past life wasn't as she had imagined. Lies, vengeance, and conspiracies swirl around them once more, but this time, will their love survive?
Melting The Billionaire's Frozen Heart
Celia West's entire life shatters when she has to dump her long time boyfriend and marry the billionaire psycho, Shane Reynolds to save her father's company. But the real chaos begins when Celia gets pregnant for Shane and loses his baby. His indifference towards her turns into full blown hatred and malice and when she cannot stand the heat anymore, she flees the marriage and moves to another city. Years later, she returns back to the city as an extremely successful writer with her young son, Theo. To her dismay, she runs into the last person she wants to see, Shane Reynolds, who may or may not be the father of her son. Their paths continue to intertwine despite Celia's efforts to stay away from Shane and she finds herself falling for the man who almost ruined her life. Will she make the same mistakes she made the first time or will she make Shane pay dearly for everything he did to her? Find out in the book.
Mr. Mysterious, Your Wife Is An Imposter
Elena Vasquez, professional con artist who had just returned from a 3-year break after her last huge con, was itching to get back in the game... and this time she'd set her sights higher than ever: the cold-hearted billionaire, Noah Reynolds. When Noah mistakes her for his fiancée, Elena plays along. This was supposed to be her biggest game yet. But the closer she gets, the harder it becomes to keep the mask on. Because Noah isn't just another target; he's the one man who makes her heart falter... The feelings were starting to feel real. When the real bride-to-be returns, Elena finds herself caught in a dangerous triangle of lies, loyalty, and love. If Noah uncovers the truth, she could lose everything. "Unless... He can't remember."
The Billionaire's Obsession; Her Toxic Desires.
He is in pain, but so is she. He is her cure, and she is his sweet addiction... Resisting her boss is the hardest thing Caitlyn has ever had to do, especially when she's married to the man she thinks she loves. How can she be so lose and lack self control? She has no idea, all she wants is to be claimed by him, her ruthless billionaire boss. These dangerous, toxic desires will soon graduate into something more sinister and more twisted that she could have ever imagined. How will Caitlyn survive the danger that comes with being the billionaire's obsession? *** "You torment me." "You will be the end of me." My body shudders, awaiting his touch. Waiting is torture, I want him to touch me now. "Claim me, do it now." I whisper. "Well.." he breathes on my skin, "Your wish is my command, kitten."