Chapter 7

The moment Richard made that request with a mischievous grin, William's face fell. A flash of anger lit up his usually cold eyes, and his voice dripped with venom. "I'm trying to negotiate a deal with you, Richard. This isn't a damn joke!" "I'm dead serious, too. No joke. You've already got Ms. Caldwell. No other woman could turn your head. Ms. Rayburn's just an assistant. What's the harm in handing her over? "Did you see the way her eyes lit up at every piece of jewelry? She's clearly obsessed with money. If she comes with me, she'll never have to worry about anything again. "You get the jewelry for Ms. Caldwell, I get the stunning Ms. Rayburn, and she trades a few years of youth for a lifetime of luxury. Win-win-win, wouldn't you say?" William's face darkened the moment Richard's words sank in. Rage hit him like a lightning strike—blinding and absolute. Without a word, he drove his fist into Richard's face with brutal force, splitting skin and bone. Still seething, William rained down a dozen more punches. Richard's screams echoed through the hall, raw and ragged, until blood slicked the floor beneath them. William only stopped when Richard's teeth were scattered across the floor, and one arm hung at a grotesque angle. He stared down at Richard with icy contempt, his voice low and laced with deadly intent. "Effective immediately, all collaboration between Silverstein Group and Hensler Group is over. "And Richard, this is your first and only warning. If you so much as think about laying a hand on Aria again, I won't stop at breaking your arm. I'll skin you alive and make you beg for death!" Hearing his vicious threat, Emily fell into a daze as a rush of memories came flooding back. She was back in her sophomore year, trapped in a classroom after school. A guy who had confessed his feelings had cornered her. Then, he forced a kiss on her before she could even move. When William found out, he had hunted the guy down and beaten him so badly that he was bedridden for a month. After that, he made sure the guy transferred schools. The very next day, he had stood before the entire school and made his feelings known, his presence sharp and commanding. "I'm William Silverstein. Let's get one thing straight. Emily Caldwell is the one I love. She's off-limits. Touch her, and you'll regret it!" Back then, Emily had truly believed he'd always be by her side, shielding her alone from the storm. But now, she finally realized that the same man who once kept her safe could just as easily shelter someone else. She stared at his hand, blood still dripping from his fingers, and a sharp, lingering ache bloomed in her chest. Her nose began to sting, and tears welled in her eyes. However, she tilted her head back, determined not to let them fall. As William turned to leave after teaching Richard a lesson, Emily tried to slip away unnoticed. But then she saw Aria burst out of the stairwell and throw herself into his arms. "Liam, people keep telling me you're just toying with me. That you'll toss me aside once you've had your fun. But I know you care about me. "Even if I showed up late in your life… even if I had to lie just to spend three months with you… you still fell for me. You'd give it all up just to be with me, wouldn't you?" Emily watched as William pulled Aria into his arms and, without a hint of hesitation, replied, "Yes." And just like that, whatever was left of her heart crumbled to dust and was carried away like ashes in the wind. A numbing sensation started in her chest and crept through the rest of her body. She forced a stiff, painfully awkward smile, lowered her head, and drifted along with the crowd as they slowly made their way down the stairs. She flagged down a cab and rode home alone. When she got in, she noticed a message from William, sent half an hour earlier. "Something came up at work, Emmy. I had to head out. Just grab a cab and go home. I've got a business trip in a few days, so take it easy until I'm back."