Robert responded with a cold smile, presenting his business card. "I am the CEO of Davis Group. Please, Mr. King, show some respect and don’t make things difficult for my friend."
Boss King’s expression changed drastically. Although Davis Group wasn’t the largest company, it was a significant player in S City.
As a small café owner, how could he compete with someone like Robert?
"Oh, so she is a friend of Mr. Davis. My apologies for my rudeness," Boss King said, forcing a smile. He had been planning to take advantage of his female employee, only to be interrupted.
"No problem, as long as you understand, Mr. King," Robert replied, though he found Boss King repulsive. As a businessman, he knew not to burn bridges entirely.
Boss King quickly released Emily from his grasp. "Mr. Davis, I’ll treat you to dinner sometime. I must take my leave now!"
Boss King could clearly see Robert’s interest in Emily, so he hurried off without another word. Robert didn’t stop him.
Emily wiped the tears from her face. "Thank you, Mr. Davis!"
"You’re welcome. If you don’t like working here, you can come to me. I’ll find you a job," Robert said, handing her his business card.
Emily took it, still looking a bit flustered, and thanked him repeatedly. Robert’s heart pounded as he looked at her distressed face, a sweet sensation blossoming within him.
It felt like young love, where just seeing the person or hearing their voice made his heart race, and everything revolved around them.
Robert now felt the same joy and sweetness, the mix of anticipation and fear, as he did during his first love.
"If you’re uncomfortable, you don’t have to quit. I’ll make sure you get an extra month’s salary," Robert offered with a smile.
Emily looked up with wide, sparkling eyes, clearly surprised by his generosity. She seemed so innocent, like a fresh graduate just entering the workforce.
"Really? That’s very generous of you, Mr. Davis. I actually don’t want to work here anymore, I..." Emily said softly.
"If you don’t want to work here, then don’t. How about I give you a ride home?" Robert’s eyes burned with passion.
"No... no need, thank you, Mr. Davis!" Emily quickly walked away, leaving Robert standing there, watching her retreating figure with a hint of disappointment.
If only she felt the same way about him.
Robert paid for his coffee, picked up his laptop, and left. Once in his car, he made a call. "Assistant Lee, I don’t want tonight’s incident to spread. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Mr. Davis. I won’t breathe a word to Mrs. Davis," Assistant Lee responded without hesitation, immediately pledging his loyalty.
Robert sneered as he hung up. He knew Assistant Lee was Brianna’s spy, but he had more money than Brianna, so betrayal wasn’t an option for Assistant Lee.
Robert didn’t expect Emily to reach out, but a week later, she called, asking for help finding a job.
Thrilled, Robert promptly arranged for her to join his company as a clerk, ensuring her recruitment went through proper channels.
Emily had been working for a week, and she proved to be efficient, managing her tasks with clarity and organization.
That evening, as Robert was heading to the underground parking garage after work, he heard a woman’s sobs echoing through the dimly lit space.
"Daniel, how can you break up with me so heartlessly? Just because we both have the last name Taylor? Why can’t people with the same surname get married?" It was Emily’s voice, and Robert stopped in his tracks, listening intently.
"I’m sorry, but my parents won’t approve. I’m their only son, and I can’t disappoint them. I can’t marry you, Emily," came a man’s cold voice from a nearby car.
"You’re lying! You’re breaking up with me because of what happened last time, right? Daniel Taylor, you ungrateful jerk! When you needed college tuition, it was me who worked extra jobs to support you! Do you remember all I did for you? And then you had the nerve to ask me to spend a night with your boss? Are you even a man?" Emily’s hysterical screams drew the attention of people in the parking lot.
"Emily, that night was my biggest opportunity! If you’d just spent one night with him, I’d be a vice president by now! Stop pretending to be so pure. After sleeping with me for so many years, can’t you spend one night with my boss?" The man’s ruthless words made Robert frown in disgust.
He couldn’t understand a man willingly humiliating himself like that. If a man didn’t love a woman, it was easy to discard her after she was unfaithful.
"Daniel, you bastard!" A slap rang out from inside the car.
"Get out, you whore! Stop pretending! Get out of my car and don’t ever bother me again!" the man shouted angrily as he kicked Emily out of the car.
The car swerved around Emily and sped out of the parking lot like a rocket.
Emily sat on the ground, clutching her face, crying bitterly.
Robert walked over and handed her a handkerchief. "Don’t cry. That kind of man isn’t worth your tears," he said softly.
Emily looked up with tearful eyes and stood up in surprise. "Mr. Davis!"
"No need to be so formal. Let me drive you home. It’s not safe for a young woman to take a cab alone at night," Robert said gently.
Emily hesitated, biting her lip shyly. "It’s too much trouble..."
"It’s no trouble at all, really," Robert replied with a soft laugh, opening the car door and helping Emily inside.
This encounter brought Robert and Emily closer, though they hadn’t become intimate. Emily seemed to be wary of him, which frustrated Robert but also made him appreciate her more. She wasn’t trying to curry favor with him because of his status, which only made her more endearing.
"Ella, listen to me. You’re coming shopping with me today. No arguments. I’ll be waiting in front of your house," Chloe declared over the phone early in the morning.
Ella sighed, rubbing her temples. She had planned to secretly visit Eric today, but Chloe’s demand ruined her plans.
Ella sent Eric a text message, telling him she would be out shopping with Chloe.
After getting dressed in a casual white outfit, Ella looked fresh and ready for the day.
"Where are you off to again, sister?" Hannah asked with a gentle smile as she saw Ella preparing to leave.
"None of your business where I’m going," Ella retorted with a light huff, suspecting Hannah of trying to annoy her on purpose.