Chapter 52

After leaving the club, Emma noticed a sleek black Ferrari parked at the entrance, beside a luxurious Maybach. Each car was worth approximately two million dollars. Such extravagance at the entrance of a modest club certainly drew attention. The Ferrari belonged to Sean; the Maybach, to Liam.

Sean leaned casually against his Ferrari, sunglasses on, legs crossed. As Emma approached, he expressed concern. "Emma, I heard the Gomez family summoned you urgently. Are you alright? Any injuries?"

"I'm fine, Uncle Sean. But—" Emma began.

"What's up?" Sean asked, noticing her hesitation.

Emma nodded toward the Ferrari. "Uncle Sean, don't you think driving such a noticeable car might attract paparazzi?"

Sean, fond of his luxury cars and accustomed to public attention, waved her concerns away. "Let's not worry about that now, Emma. Come. I'll take you for some cake."

Nearby, Liam stood quietly by the Maybach. Emma released Sean's hand and approached Liam. "Mr. Hall, would you care to join us for cake?"

Both Sean and Liam were surprised. Sean, feeling sidelined, removed his sunglasses and fixed his gaze on Emma. "Emma, when I invite you for cake, there's no need to ask anyone else," he said pointedly to Liam.

Liam, unfazed, took Emma's hand. "Feeling tired?"

"Not really, just took a few hits and lost my knives," Emma replied casually. Liam's silent admiration was palpable.

Liam reassured her, "It's good you're not hurt. Let's go home so you can rest. We have a well-trained pastry chef; you can have any dessert you fancy."

Feeling slighted, Sean couldn't hide his dismay. "Emma, are you really going to ditch me for another man?" He exaggerated his sadness. "My heart is breaking! I just found you, and now you're leaving me…"

Emma quickly smoothed things over. "Uncle Sean, I'm not leaving you. It's just that… I seem to be drawn to Liam!"

Sean was speechless. Liam silently observed. Sean, still recovering, frowned. "Emma, how can you say things like that?"

Emma bit her lip. Sean, frustrated, turned to Liam. "Emma is making sacrifices for you. Why can't you let her come with me for cake?"

Liam's expression hardened. "She shouldn't have snacks before dinner; it's not good for her appetite."

Caught off guard by Liam's protectiveness, Sean blurted out, "What's so important about dinner? Emma, do you want dinner with him or cake with me?"

Emma touched her nose. "Dinner sounds good… But Uncle Sean, you're always watching your sugar intake, isn't it bad to have cake?"

Sean paused, then smiled. "Alright then, I'll follow your lead and skip the cake for dinner too."

Emma smiled at his change in demeanor. Sean, initially concerned for Emma, now felt a mix of helplessness and reluctance to witness more of her and Liam's interactions. He quipped, "I better not stick around and be a third wheel. I wouldn't want to keep you from missing Liam when I'm around."

Emma chuckled. "Uncle Sean, try to act normal, will you?"

Irked, Sean retorted, "What can I do if my precious niece doesn't need me anymore? Is it so wrong to be heartbroken?" He glared at Liam. "Listen, treat Emma right. If you hurt her, I'll make you regret it!"

Liam received his second stern warning from Emma's uncle. As Sean drove away, he gave Emma a flirtatious wink. "Remember, Emma, if he ever treats you poorly, just come to me. I've got your back!"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Uncle Sean, please don't say things that could be taken the wrong way!"

Sean smirked. He roared off in his Ferrari.

Emma joined Liam in his car. He was adjusting his tie, clearly ruffled by Sean's antics. To ease the tension, Emma said, "Feeling a bit jealous? My uncle's in showbiz; he tends to be dramatic."

Liam shot her a cool glance. "Are you implying I'm old-fashioned?"

Emma's eyes widened. "Not at all!"

Liam changed the subject. "Just because your uncle left in a hurry doesn't mean we can't still have dinner. It's perfect timing."

Emma offered a slight smile.

After a long day, Emma returned home, washed up, and relaxed. Liam, surprisingly, stayed in the bedroom. "What's going on?" Emma asked.

As she settled onto the bed, Liam made his intentions clear. Emma's heart fluttered as she gazed at him, memories flooding back. Liam recalled the day she'd declared, "I'll be a great wife, smart and capable, and I'll surely surprise you one day."

"Emma," Liam whispered, kissing her forehead. "Now it's my turn to surprise you." He kissed her passionately, gently removing her clothes.

Caught in the moment, Emma felt a mix of emotions. "Please don't…"

Liam reassured her softly, "Trust me, you'll enjoy this."