Chapter 4 Reaction or Not

Emily went quiet, and the break room got super awkward.

She knew there was no way she could change Patrick's mind. Sticking around would just make things worse for her.

Emily was about to leave, but Patrick stopped her.

She felt this tightness in her chest, a weird mix of emotions. Was it disappointment? Helplessness? Or something else?

Either way, she didn't want to stay a second longer.

Emily said firmly, "Mr. Rivera, let go of me."

She looked Patrick straight in the eye, trying to keep her cool. Patrick hesitated, then let her go.

Emily rushed back to her office and slammed the door. Her emotions were all over the place.

Just then, her phone buzzed.

It was a text from Betty: [Emily, don't worry about me. My mom called a few days ago, asking me to come back to our hometown. I've caused you enough trouble lately. Thank you.]

She didn't deserve this, but she was getting the short end of the stick.

Emily rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. After a moment, she picked up her phone and called a business partner she trusted.

"Hey, Mr. Brooks, is your company hiring right now?" Emily asked.

Kade Brooks replied, "Oh, Emily, it's rare for you to call. But you know, my company is currently dealing with layoffs."

"Alright, I won't bother you then," Emily said and hung up.

Kade didn't waste any time and immediately called Marlon Hughes from the Hughes Group, trying to curry favor.

"Mr. Hughes, the Ms. Thompson you asked me to look after seems to be in some trouble lately," Kade said.

Meanwhile, Emily was nervously flipping her phone back and forth.

"What are you doing?" a cold voice came from behind her. It was Patrick.

Emily jumped, almost dropping her phone.

"Why is the door closed during work hours?" Patrick asked coldly.

Emily felt a pang of guilt.

Patrick pretended not to notice the panic in her eyes and instead focused on the necklace she was wearing. The delicate swan pendant highlighted her long, fair neck and collarbone, giving her a unique charm.

Seeing Emily not respond, Patrick stepped closer.

"What, cat got your tongue?" he asked.

Emily snapped back and casually said, "The room is cold."

Her offhand answer made Patrick stop. He then closed the door.

"Emily might get implicated because of what happened this morning. Poor thing. Who knows what Shirley's relationship with Mr. Rivera is, to make him favor her so much?"

"Keep your voice down. Mr. Rivera is probably still angry. We should stay out of his way to avoid getting caught in the crossfire."

"Exactly."

The other colleagues outside the office quickly scattered.

Patrick frowned, looking at Emily's coat on the office chair. How could she be cold and still take off her coat?

"Are you playing me?" Patrick looked down at her, his presence overwhelming.

Emily replied, "I wouldn't dare."

Patrick grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"What wouldn't you dare to do!"

Patrick cornered Emily against the wall, lifting her waist, leaving almost no space between them.

Emily's heart raced. She felt the intense pressure from Patrick. She tried to struggle, but his grip was too strong, making it impossible to move.

"Still cold?" Patrick asked with a mocking tone.

"No..." Emily started to say, but Patrick's lips crashed onto hers with a force that left her breathless. Her struggles were useless against his dominant kiss, and she found herself surrendering to him.

The kiss was so sudden and intense that Emily almost forgot to breathe. It felt both familiar and passionate. Her lips parted slightly, quickly melding with Patrick's. She could feel the warmth and firmness of his body, and without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to respond.

Patrick always had a way of controlling Emily, both her soul and her body. She hated herself for being so weak, always determined to keep her distance, only to crumble whenever he was near.

When Patrick saw Emily's dazed and confused expression, he couldn't help but smile. Then, he abruptly pulled away.

"Dinner with a client tonight. I'll have someone bring you a dress," Patrick said, his voice devoid of emotion.

'Jerk!' Emily cursed him silently, gritting her teeth.

He was always so domineering. After he left, Emily slumped weakly into her chair.

Soon, Patrick's driver delivered a delicate gift box containing a burgundy slip dress.

Emily was a bit surprised. Usually, when dining with clients, Patrick insisted she wear a suit, saying they needed to look professional.

Emily shook her head. Well, she had no right to refuse.

She put the slip dress back in the gift box and tossed it into the drawer under her desk. Before she could close the drawer, Shirley quietly walked in.

"Emily, what are you doing?" Shirley asked.

Emily was startled, suppressing her disgust for Shirley's fake demeanor, and replied, "Nothing."

Shirley said, "Emily, I thought about it after last time. You must have found the macarons too sweet, right? This time I brought you a mango dessert, made with pure animal cream. I made it myself, try it."

Mango? That would be deadly. Emily, who had been allergic to mangoes since childhood, refused without a second thought.

"No, thanks. You can have it..."

Before she could finish, she saw Patrick slowly walking in behind Shirley.

"Shirley made it especially for you," Patrick said.

Emily looked up at Patrick's cold, expressionless face.

She held a glimmer of hope. After all, they had shared a bed for so long. He should know about her mango allergy, but Patrick's words made it clear he wanted her to accept it.

"Thank you," Emily reluctantly took the cake.

Shirley said, "Patrick, it seems Emily still won't forgive me. She must think I forced Betty to leave. She might throw the cake away as soon as we leave."

'Shirley must have some kind of delusional disorder,' Emily thought helplessly.

Seeing Emily not taking any further action, Shirley opened the cake box and handed it to her, looking pitiful.

Emily was stunned. With such an innocent and pure look, no wonder she could easily win Patrick over. What man could resist that?

Patrick stared at her, as if she was being ungrateful. If she didn't eat it, she would be the villain.

"Fine." Allergic reaction or not, she didn't care anymore.

Emily took the cake box, scooped a bite, and ate it. It didn't take long for an itchy sensation to spread across her back.