Chapter 86

Tess scrutinized Emma and declared, "Got it. So, you're the waiter here." She laughed smugly.

Simon frowned upon seeing Emma. After all, she had undermined Elsie previously, leaving him with a negative impression.

The other company chairmen were confused. "Tess, do you know her?"

Tess snorted disdainfully. "Why would I know some waiter? Call your manager. I want a different waiter."

Despite her temper, Emma remained professional. "Miss, it's peak hour. There are no other waiters. It's just me."

Tess, predictably enraged, gritted her teeth. After a moment, she snapped, "Pour me wine."

Emma's expression didn't change. Following protocol, she served Simon first, then Tess. As she poured for Tess, the latter deliberately knocked Emma's hand, spilling red wine. "Look, my clothes are stained," Tess sneered. "Do you know how to pour wine? My dress is ruined."

Simon, observing their interaction, wiped his mouth and said, "Tess, I chose this restaurant. Use this card to buy any clothes you like. Consider it compensation."

"Really?" Tess beamed. "Thank you, Simon. You're like a father to me."

Emma felt a pang of displeasure. Simon clearly saw Tess's deliberate action. He knew she was married to Liam yet still gave his credit card to Liam's date. Her purpose remained unclear.

Though inwardly unhappy, Emma maintained her composure.

"Why are you still here? I don't want to see you," Tess demanded, her pampered nature unrestrained.

Emma's colleagues attempted to remove her from the situation.

At that moment, the private room door opened. Liam, spotting Emma, recalled her mention of a hotel internship. He hadn't expected her assignment to their room. The room's crowdedness caused him to frown.

Seeing Tess, Liam understood the dinner's purpose. He'd overheard fragments of their conversation outside, gleaning the private room's events.

Liam seized Emma's wrist. "Let's—"

"Stop," Simon interrupted, displeased. "Did I say you could leave?"

Liam sneered. "Dad, encouraging your son's infidelity isn't smart." He then addressed Tess. "Tess, I'm married to Emma. Let's not waste each other's time."

Simon gripped his chair, chest aching with anger. He'd assumed Liam was acting impulsively. Even if married to Emma, a quiet divorce would minimize the fallout. But Liam's public announcement—in front of attendees at Simon's matchmaking dinner—was a public humiliation.

Liam remained his arrogant, unruly self.

Tess, humiliated, her face contorted and eyes red, pointed at Emma. "What's so great about her? She's a waitress! Liam, don't be fooled by this cunning woman. Stop before you go too far."

Liam, exasperated, pulled Emma closer. "With her abilities, she could bankrupt your family instantly. If you don't want ruin, you should stop."

Silence fell. The shareholders, even Simon, regarded Emma with curiosity. Who is she? they wondered. How could she bankrupt the Currys?

Tess, losing control, lunged at Emma. Emma instinctively shielded Liam, finding herself securely behind him.

Tess, unable to act, burst into tears.

Liam turned to Emma, speaking sternly. "You've blocked a thrown cup, Elsie's needles, and the crowd's judgment. From today, I'll stand before you, for everything."

Emma's eyes welled. This was Liam, the man who'd loved her fiercely in both lifetimes.

"Okay…"

Emma allowed Liam to lead her out. As a guest escorting her, the manager couldn't object.

Liam, having recovered, drove himself, leaving Levi behind. He held Emma's hand as she sat beside him.

"Your father seems to want you with Tess," Emma observed.

Liam started the car. "No. He doesn't like Tess. This was probably a show for you."

Emma's lips tightened. Simon had deliberately orchestrated this to upset her, knowing of her internship. Liam, however, had initially perceived it as a family gathering, hence his darkening expression upon arrival.

"Will he be angry if we embarrass him?" Emma asked.

Liam looked at her. "So what if he is?"

Emma agreed. She'd already offended his stepmother and brother; one more person wouldn't matter.

As they drove, Emma noticed they weren't heading towards Icovine Estate. "Hey, where are we going?"

The surroundings became increasingly rural.

Liam's face seemed more enigmatic in the night's stillness. "Take a guess."

The car stopped at a deserted pier.

Emma opened the window, inhaling the fresh air. A full moon hung above the river.

Soon after closing her eyes, she felt Liam looming over her. He pressed a button, closing the windows.

"Why'd you close the window?" Emma asked suspiciously.

Liam's smile deepened, his voice husky. "Don't tell me you want others to see…"