Around noon, while David was swamped with work, he suddenly got a call from Helen. She said she wanted to discuss some business matters and casually mentioned bringing along a young female colleague.

At first, David didn't quite catch her drift. But when he laid eyes on Emma's stunning face, and especially after seeing the look Helen sneaked at him-it all clicked.

Most likely, during that executive dinner a while back, Helen had overheard that he hadn't dated anyone since his last breakup. So she probably figured she'd do him a favor.

If someone else had pulled this kind of thing, David would've found an excuse to skip out without a second thought. But this was Helen, his dad's college buddy. With that kind of connection, David knew he had no choice but to sit through this session.

Still, he hadn't expected that just one glance at Emma would make his heart race uncontrollably.

Since he was a kid, he had always favored one type of girl: long straight hair, fair skin, and a pure, innocent look. Most of his exes could've passed for that template.

But Emma? She wasn't just close-she checked every single one of those boxes.

Today, she had on a light blue long dress. Her eyes were soft, skin porcelain-like, her figure graceful, and her shiny hair fell neatly behind her shoulders. She looked straight out of someone's daydream.

Doing his best to keep his cool, David reached out and gently shook her soft hand, putting on a polite smile across his striking face.

"Come on, grab a seat, both of you. We're not at the office-no need to be so stiff."

Helen, seasoned from years in the business world, wasn't blind. She totally caught the way David was staring at Emma with that locked-on expression. She didn't need to guess-he was clearly into Emma.

After a quick round of introductions, Emma let go of David's hand and sat back down. She glanced out the window, not saying a word.

"David, weren't you really into coffee at one point? Help me pick something, will you?"

Picking up on the brief awkward pause, Helen passed him the menu the barista had just dropped off.

"Oh-yeah, sure."

Snapping out of his thoughts, David looked up with a half-smile and took the menu.

"This time of year, a pour-over hits just right. Let's start with the Ethiopian single origin-and maybe a couple of your house pastries to go with it."

He skimmed through the menu briefly and handed it back to the waiter.

"Got it, sir."

Once the waiter left, Helen started talking to Emma about David's achievements over the years, listing everything in detail, down to the smallest award.

Emma, sitting beside Helen, looked a bit lost-like sitting or leaving both felt awkward. The whole thing had her feeling pretty uncomfortable.

I mean, who wouldn't be weirded out by hearing a stranger's life story the first time they met? And to be honest, Emma didn't seem too interested in hearing it anyway.

Still, seeing Helen chatting away with such enthusiasm, Emma didn't have the heart to interrupt. She kept up a perfect polite smile and quietly stared at the cup in front of her, not saying a word.

Helen mistook her silence for shyness. After thinking for a moment, she figured it was about time to give the two of them a bit of space.

Glancing at her watch, Helen suddenly covered her mouth and let out a soft exclamation.

"Oh no, it's almost seven! Emma, David, I'm so sorry, I've got something personal to deal with-supposed to be there by 7:30. Looks like I won't be staying for coffee with you guys after all."

While saying that, she stood up, grabbed her purse, and got ready to go.

"David, take good care of her, okay? And hey, this meal's on me-just put it on my tab later."

With that, she waved to Emma, then gracefully left the private room.

Emma, still sitting by the window, was caught completely off guard. Did Helen just ditch her with some guy she literally just met?

Watching Helen's retreating figure, Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes internally.

Seriously? This is straight-up a blind date move-bring the person, then dip like it's none of your business?

David, on the other hand, let out a huge sigh of relief once Helen left.

Honestly, at the rate she was going, Emma probably would've known his diaper brand as a baby before the evening ended.

As Helen stepped out, a server arrived with a tray holding a pour-over set-two ceramic cups and a glass carafe of freshly brewed Ethiopian single origin. Alongside it, a wooden stand displayed a neat selection of house pastries.

The glass carafe shimmered between them, and the two small ceramic cups gave off a gentle warmth. The air was filled with the scent of fresh-roasted coffee and butter. The pastries-petite tarts, flaky scones, and bite-sized cakes-looked like they belonged in a still-life painting.

Emma, who had barely touched her lunch, didn't hesitate. She grabbed a fork and went straight for the raspberry tart.

Watching her dig in, David smiled and broke the silence.

"Ms. Grace, how do you like the coffee and pastries here?"

"They're alright, I guess."

After a couple pieces, Emma paused to answer his question. Honestly, growing up in the Grace family, she'd had the best of everything-there were like three or four pastry chefs in the house alone. But ever since moving into the Hunt household, she'd gotten used to cooking for herself-even ditched the chefs altogether.

David nodded with a smile. He knew everyone had different tastes-and besides, he figured he had plenty of time to uncover all the layers to this woman in front of him.

"I was thinking... maybe I could ask you out sometime?"

He asked tentatively, eyes locked on her, clearly hoping for a positive reaction.

"I appreciate the thought, but I don't think that's a good idea."

Emma put down her fork, cutting the moment short with zero sugarcoating.

"Ah... fair enough."

David wasn't some green kid anymore. After nearly a decade in the corporate world, he knew better than to rush things. Going too fast would only make her pull away more.

Plus, he knew himself well-confidence in both how he looked and who he was on the inside.

And let's be honest, there weren't many guys his age out there who had made it where he had.

So even though Emma had been distant from the start, David didn't feel discouraged. On the contrary, this only made him more determined to win her over.

"It's getting late. We should go."

After sitting there for almost half an hour, even though David had been doing his best to strike up conversations and break the ice, Emma just couldn't bring herself to show any real interest. Her responses were lukewarm at best.

"Ah, okay. Let me walk you out then?" David quickly stood up with a hopeful smile as soon as Emma spoke.

"Thanks, but no need. I drove here. Take care."

Emma's reply was polite yet distant. She grabbed her bag and walked straight out of the booth without another glance.

Watching her leave, David could only shrug with a wry smile, tossed on his coat, and headed out as well.

...

On the way back home-

In the driver's seat, the longer Emma thought about how the evening had gone, the more irritated she felt. She tapped her steering wheel, then hit the call button to ring up Helen.

"Hey, Emma? Done with dinner?"

Helen's trademark teasing tone came through the car's speaker, which didn't help Emma's mood one bit.

"Helen, I just wrapped up. Thanks for the coffee, by the way."

Trying to keep her voice calm, Emma continued, "But honestly, I don't plan on dating right now. So maybe stop setting me up, yeah?"

"What? Emma, seriously, did you even get a good look at David? I'm telling you, don't be too picky. You're already twenty-three, and David's got everything going for him! Don't tell me you turned him down?"

Hearing Helen go off in that familiar lecturing tone made Emma both annoyed and amused.

What is it with people these days? Are they really this bored? Even her director was starting to dabble in matchmaking?

"Helen, whether I date or not is kinda up to me, don't you think? Don't stress over it so much."

Emma's voice was cold as she directly cut Helen off.

That caught Helen off guard-Emma had always come across as gentle and easy-going, and now she was snapping back at her?

"Wait... be honest with me. Do you... not like men?"

Okay, that came out of left field-but not entirely surprising. In Helen's eyes, David might as well have been Mr. Perfect. Only a fool would turn him down.

And Emma? She was apparently that fool.

"Wow, that's quite the joke."

Emma let out a breathy chuckle, more exasperated than amused, and honestly couldn't be bothered to keep this conversation going any longer.

Her director really was something else.

"I'm driving right now, so I should go. Thanks again for tonight."

Without waiting for a reply, Emma ended the call and tossed her phone aside.

...

Hunt Enterprises.

7 p.m.

"Mr. Hunt, the bidding results have been released."

"Alright. You can go."

Andy nodded, then walked out of the office.

Leaning back in his chair, Ethan rolled his neck to ease the stiffness from a long day of staring at paperwork. Then he stood, glanced at the clock on the wall, grabbed his car keys, and headed downstairs.

Once home, he noticed-Emma wasn't back yet."This woman's been coming home later and later..." Ethan muttered to himself, pulling off his jacket. He started undoing his shirt buttons as he walked up the stairs.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening made him pause. He looked up-and locked eyes with Emma as she walked in.

Emma wasn't expecting to run into him the second she stepped inside. There he was, leaning against the stairs, half-undressed. Her heart instantly started racing out of control.

Yeah... no matter what stupid stuff Ethan did, she still couldn't help herself. After all, she'd been crazy about him for years.

Avoiding his gaze, Emma dropped her eyes and moved to go past him.

"You're back," Ethan said lazily as he leaned his elbow on the stair railing.

"Yeah," she replied shortly, keeping her head down. Clutching her bag, she headed for the stairs-only to be pulled to a stop.

"Forget something?" Ethan asked, one brow raised.

He didn't let her pass. Instead, he suddenly yanked her into the corner by the stairs, boxing her in with one hand on the wall.

Caught off guard, Emma looked up into his eyes, heart thudding wildly again. But when he spoke next, she figured out pretty quickly what this was about, and her heartbeat started slowing down.

Must be about that big project Helen mentioned this morning.

Classic Ethan-already here looking for a "thank you" before the deal even closed.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, frowning slightly and pretending to be clueless.

"Didn't your company just get a new bid approved?" Ethan said with a knowing smirk.

"Oh, you mean that one..." Emma dragged out her words deliberately, staring into his amused eyes.

"Yeah," he leaned in a little closer, arm braced next to her face. "So? What are you gonna do to thank me?"

Emma scrunched her brows, clearly not amused. "Thank you? For what exactly?"

"You gave us that project on your own. I didn't beg you or anything," she said while pushing at his chest, but he didn't budge an inch.

Ethan raised his eyebrows dramatically, acting all innocent. "Doesn't matter. Point is it got approved because of me. I went out of my way for you, you know."

"Oh really?" Emma gave a sarcastic laugh, arms crossing in front of her. "Now what?"

"Well, you could always thank me with your body," he said with a smirk, eyes locked on hers as he leaned down and kissed her.

"Mmph-!"

Totally caught off guard, Emma froze as his hands started wandering, lighting little fires all over her skin.

"You-"

Emma had just lifted her hand, trying to push the man in front of her away, but before she could move, he grabbed her wrist and pinned it against the wall behind her.

With one arm wrapped firmly around her slim waist, Ethan lowered his eyes and deepened the kiss.

At that point, it was over-Emma had completely lost the strength to fight back. Her body gave in as his took over, leaving her powerless.

Outside the sheer curtains by the window, stars shimmered in the cool night sky. Inside the brightly-lit villa, the temperature kept rising steadily.

The night was far from over.

...

Next morning.

8:00 AM.

Upstairs bedroom, second floor of the villa.

"Mmm..."

With a soft groan, Emma rolled over and slowly woke from sleep. As she opened her eyes, she was met with a very familiar face-far too close for comfort.

The man was still asleep, lying right in front of her. Oddly enough, the first thing that popped into her head wasn't memories of last night, but a rather strange thought-how could a guy have eyelashes this long?

"You're awake?"

Sensing the woman shifting in his arms and letting out a sleepy sound, Ethan opened his eyes and looked straight at her, his deep gaze locking onto hers.

His voice was husky, like aged red wine-rich and alluring. Just waking up added a lazy edge to it, making it dangerously tempting.

"Yeah," Emma mumbled, dropping her eyes to avoid his gaze.

There was something dangerously soft about this man in the morning, a kind of charm you really had to brace yourself against.

"I should get up. I'm gonna be late for work."

Taking a breath to steady herself, Emma turned away and reached down to grab one of Ethan's white shirts from the floor. She pulled it on and headed barefoot into the bathroom.

Ethan propped himself up on one elbow, watching as she walked away from the bed. The light coming through the thin curtains outlined the curves of her figure, making her look even more captivating.

He kept his eyes on her until she disappeared into the bathroom, then finally got up himself, pulling on a robe and planning to head to the study.

Just then, Emma's phone buzzed lightly on the nightstand. Without thinking, Ethan picked it up-and his face darkened the moment he saw the message on the screen:

"Dinner was great last night, Ms. Grace. Thanks again. No pressure at all, but if you ever feel like grabbing coffee, let me know. -David"

That easy, relaxed feeling from earlier evaporated instantly.

Last night? Dinner with another guy?

Was she seeing someone behind his back?

Expression hardening, Ethan grabbed his own phone and quickly dialed a number. "Andy, I want a full report on Emma's recent whereabouts, and dig up everything you can on a guy named David. I want the details within thirty minutes."

Still half-asleep, Andy fumbled to answer his phone. But the second he heard Ethan's stormy tone, he bolted upright in bed, instantly wide-awake.

"Yes, sir-I'm on it now!"Andy didn't even bother with his shoes. The moment the call ended, he grabbed his laptop and got to work.

Not long after, Ethan's phone chimed. An email had come in-Emma's complete itinerary for the past two weeks, plus everything there was to know about David.

Skimming through the info, Ethan noticed her routine barely changed: work, villa, repeat. Except for last night.

"So, she really went on a date behind my back, huh?"

He glanced at David's profile, his brows slowly drawing together. That thought took root and wouldn't budge.

Honestly, with Emma, that wasn't entirely out of the question. They'd had their fair share of shouting matches, and she'd mentioned wanting to leave more than once.

Back then, he just brushed it off. Emma was different from her father-she actually cared. Otherwise, why would she stay in love with someone who never gave anything back?

That belief let him hurt her over and over again without second thoughts.

But now? Seeing that message... Ethan wasn't so sure anymore. Maybe she really was ready to walk away.

And the weird thing-he always thought he wouldn't care if she did. But now, why was there this nagging voice inside, screaming not to let her go?

Emma came out after freshening up, only to find Ethan standing dead center in the bedroom, frozen, eyes glued to his phone.

When he heard her steps, he finally looked up, gaze locking onto her. Those deep brown eyes didn't move an inch.

Being stared at like that sent a shiver down her spine. Her footsteps slowed instinctively.

"What's going on?" Emma asked, her voice cautious.

Ethan blinked like he was snapping out of something, then curved his mouth into a mocking smile.

"Emma... You really had me fooled. So, you went on a blind date? Was he your type?"

Emma stared at him, wide-eyed. Did he seriously think she was that kind of person?

"Aha, touched a nerve?" Ethan said coldly, reading her look as a confession.

"You can think whatever you like. I'm going to work," she said tiredly.

She didn't have the energy to fight anymore. Why was she even holding onto hope, after everything?

She was just a big fat fool.

Emma opened the bedroom door and walked out without a single glance back. For some reason, Ethan felt a sudden, sharp sting in his chest. Not a big one, but enough to notice.

Lately, he'd been acting differently whenever it came to her-harsh, petty, over the top.

He didn't want to admit it. Hell, he didn't even want to face what that meant.