Chapter 3 Open WhatsApp and Add Me

“Please don’t bring it up,” she said awkwardly. “It happened. Let’s just treat it as an accident.”

“Do you take me for some playboy?” His tone cooled.

“No, you misunderstand,” she said at once, the tips of her ears turning crimson.

• What exactly is he trying to do? *

• Is he suggesting we have an affair? *

“Would you consider becoming Mrs. Hayes?” he asked.

“What?”

Their eyes met, but she couldn’t read the meaning in his gaze.

“We didn’t use protection last night. If you’re pregnant, keep the baby. If you’re not, I’ll still take responsibility for you,” he said lightly.

Emma fell silent, a faint frown creasing her brow.

She didn’t dare reach for a family like his. She was her mother’s illegitimate daughter, the child of an affair with a businessman whose identity remained a mystery. She’d grown up under whispers and gossip. Getting involved with someone as aristocratic as Liam would only drag him down with her.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Hayes. I took the morning-after pill today, so you don’t need to worry. I have no desire to become the Lady of the Hayes family. Just let it go. Please don’t speak of this again.” Emma delivered it all in one breath, then turned to leave.

“Wait.” Liam’s gaze darkened.

Emma took a deep breath and turned to face him.

“Do you have any other instructions, Mr. Hayes?” she asked.

“Open WhatsApp and add me,” Liam said coldly.

“…”

She pulled out her phone, scanned his QR code, and sent a simple: Hi.

“The company plans to send you to S-Country Fashion Week with Director Ethan next month. If you don’t want to go, pretend I never said it,” he said.

“Also,” he added, “there’s no need to rush your answer to my earlier proposal. I’ll give you time to think.”

• Typical businessman. *

• In just a few sentences, he’s already steering me onto his predetermined path. *

• The S-Country Fashion Week opportunity is precious. I’m not letting it slip away. *

• As for that proposal, I’ll just set it aside for now. *

The moment she returned to her desk, Iris leaned in.

“So? Was the president’s office incredibly luxurious?”

“Well, it’s beyond words. You’d better see it for yourself. Next time, I’ll arrange for you to experience it firsthand,” Emma said, pursing her lips and giving her a playful wink.

“I was worried you’d be carried out,” Iris remarked, her gaze lingering on Emma as she cross-checked data.

“Emma!” Ethan came trotting over, face lit with excitement.

His unusually animated expression drew the entire office’s attention.

“Director Ethan,” Emma said, standing up at once.

“I just got word we’re both on the S-Country Fashion Week roster,” he said.

“I know.” Emma nodded. She assumed Liam was using this trip to make up for last night’s “accident.”

As the news spread, reactions across the department were all over the place. New hires were thrilled, while veterans simmered with resentment. Some had been with the company for years without getting sent to a single local fashion week, much less an international one.

Emma ignored the undercurrent and focused on her work.

A new message popped up from Ben: [Emma, free tonight? Grab a movie.]

• What a scoundrel. Sweet-talking his new flame while buttering up his ex. *

Emma: [Sure!]

She took a screenshot of the chat and posted it as a status visible only to Chloe Grant, captioned: Keeping that fresh spark alive.

Chloe replied instantly: [Which show? What time? Sweetie, I’m also catching a movie with friends tonight.]

Emma ignored her and turned off her screen.

By quitting time, the office building emptied out quickly.

Emma stood by the window and looked down at Ben, waiting downstairs with a bouquet in his arms. The sight struck her as nothing but ironic.

Ben might carry the title of deputy mayor, but it was a position his father had bought for him through connections, with no real power attached. His father, owner of the largest car dealership in City A, had always disapproved of Ben’s relationship with Emma and openly preferred Chloe’s background instead. Since Ben hadn’t officially broken up with Emma, he could only sneak around with Chloe in secret.

In the elevator lobby, Emma answered Ben’s call with her headphones on.

Reading comics on her iPad, she deliberately switched to a whiny, affected tone. “Okay, honey, you go on ahead to the theatre. I’ll be there later.”

When she looked up, she saw Ryan holding the elevator doors open with one hand. He quickly turned his face away to hide a laugh.

“Yeah, our boss is such a vampire…” she started, then froze when she noticed Liam standing right behind Ryan.

Her heart lurched. She hung up at once.

“Mr. Hayes…”

“Mhm.” Liam’s mouth curved into a brief smirk before his expression clouded over.

“Hurry in,” Ryan urged, signalling to her.

She forced a smile and stepped into the elevator, retreating to the corner.

“Going on a date?” Liam asked.

“I’m just dropping a friend off at Das Krematorium,” she replied.

“Need help?”

“Not right now.”

Ryan picked up the unspoken implication.

After all, the situation between Ben and Emma wasn’t exactly a secret among the three of them.

Ding…

The elevator stopped on the 18th floor. Several employees from the Corporate Communications Department stepped inside.

Ryan and Emma immediately moved back.

“Mr. Hayes!” the group greeted in unison.

Liam acknowledged them with a slight nod.

“Move over there, please.”

The space suddenly felt crowded. Emma felt an arm snake around her waist, a strong hand tightening there as she was pulled flush against him. Heat burned through the thin fabric. Her cheek, lightly coated with foundation, brushed his dark suit and left a faint mark. Her face flamed instantly.

When they reached the first floor, the PR staff filed out in a noisy rush, and snippets of conversation drifted back to her.

“Did you see the hickey on the president’s neck?”

“I heard he had breakfast with some woman this morning…”

Emma was about to follow the crowd outside when she spotted Ben waiting by the entrance with his flowers. She stopped short and quickly stepped back.

Liam watched her, a faint frown forming between his brows.

“Not coming?” Ryan asked with a smile.

“I left something upstairs. You two go ahead,” she said, tossing out a casual excuse.