Chapter 5 What a Hypocrite!

As the night settled in and the city lights flickered to life, Emily pulled up to the swanky Nightfall Club.

Her smooth skin glowed against the deep red of her dress. Even though she had taken an antihistamine earlier, the red marks on her skin were slowly fading, but the itchiness was still there.

Emily parked her car, grabbed her black leather clutch, and headed towards the club.

The red dress was a masterpiece, hugging her curves just right and turning heads as she walked. The deep V-neckline showed off her delicate collarbones and alluring figure, oozing undeniable sensuality. The hem of the dress clung to her shapely hips, and with every step, she exuded a captivating charm.

"Hey, Emily!"

Emily turned to see Marlon Hughes leaning casually against the door of a private room.

Marlon, an openly gay heir to the Hughes Group, had short, light brown hair that radiated youthful energy and a rebellious spirit. His deep, bright eyes seemed to see right through people but held a gentle acceptance of the world. His sharp, well-defined nose added to his handsome features.

Emily said, "Hey, Marlon. What a surprise."

Marlon replied, "Not really. I was waiting for you."

Emily asked, "Waiting for me?"

Marlon said, "Yeah. Kade told me you've been having some trouble lately."

Emily was a bit taken aback.

Emily said, "Yeah, a colleague of mine had to leave the company for personal reasons, but she's great and really capable."

Marlon said, "So, you want to help her find a job?"

"Yes," Emily said softly.

Marlon said, "That's no big deal. We're hiring. Have her come to the Hughes Group tomorrow morning."

"Thank you so much!"

Emily let out a sigh of relief. Betty's problem was finally solved, and a happy smile spread across her face, as bright and warm as a spring blossom.

Marlon was momentarily stunned. In his memory, Emily was always serious, dressed in business suits, and he had never seen her in a dress, let alone smiling. But now, she was not only smiling but also wearing such a sexy dress.

Emily felt a bit embarrassed under Marlon's gaze and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a gesture that only captivated Marlon further.

Marlon said, "Emily, the Hughes Group would welcome you anytime, with double the salary."

"You're too kind..."

Emily was about to say more when she saw Patrick approaching with a stern expression.

"Emily, do you have any sense of time?"

Emily reached for her phone to check the time. She remembered leaving two hours early, and the drive from her apartment to here was about an hour. How could she be late? Besides, traffic wasn't bad today.

"Get moving. Do you expect the client to wait for you?" Patrick's tone was harsh and commanding.

Marlon said, "Patrick, you really don't know how to be smooth, do you? No wonder you're still single."

Marlon casually draped an arm over Patrick's shoulder, but Patrick brushed his hand off with disdain.

"We're not that close, you know." Patrick shot Marlon a cold look.

Marlon said, "Watch your mouth, or I'll spill all your dirty secrets from your time abroad."

Patrick glared at Marlon, who immediately fell silent.

"Patrick, why aren't you coming in?"

Shirley ran over, clinging to Patrick's arm, her face almost touching his.

"Oh, it's you, Marlon."

Marlon looked at Shirley with disdain, saying, "Let's not get too familiar, okay?"

Marlon rolled his eyes and instinctively moved closer to Emily.

Shirley didn't seem to mind, continuing to cling to Patrick and act coy, but she noticed Marlon's gaze was fixed on Emily. Her expression changed, but she quickly smiled at Emily.

Shirley said, "Emily, why are you so late? Patrick and I have been waiting for you."

She added, "Patrick, don't be too hard on Emily. She's juggling a lot of work right now. I have a lot on my plate too, but I always make time for you when it comes to meeting clients. It's just a shame she can't do the same."

Emily remained silent.

"I can't take it anymore. I haven't even had a drink, and I feel like throwing up. There must be something dirty around! Patrick, I need your assistant." Marlon signaled to Emily to help him to the restroom.

Emily was about to go when she saw Patrick's murderous look.

Patrick said, "Go throw up on your own."

Patrick turned and walked towards the private room, then looked back to see Emily still standing there.

"Get moving," his tone was commanding.

Emily sighed and gave Marlon an apologetic look.

At the door of the private room, Shirley didn't rush in.

Shirley asked, "Emily, why are you dressed so sexy today?"

What could Emily say? That Patrick forced her to wear it?

Patrick said, "Get in here!"

As soon as they sat down, the client arrived.

"I've heard Mr. Rivera is always surrounded by beautiful women. Seeing it today, it's true."

Shirley clenched her fists in jealousy as the client's lecherous eyes roamed over Emily's barely concealed chest.

"Let's toast to our future cooperation!"

The client, a balding man in his forties with a face full of fat, raised his glass.

Patrick downed his drink, but the client didn't sit down.

"They say Emily is a rare beauty. Seeing her today, it's true. May I have the honor of a drink with you?"

The bald man leered at Emily.

Shirley said, "Emily is truly a star employee at our company. And her drinking capacity? I doubt anyone can match that!"

"Is that so?" The bald man left his seat and moved closer to Emily.

Emily was in a difficult position. The company valued this deal highly, or Patrick wouldn't be here in person.

"Absolutely, I'd be delighted."

Before Patrick could speak, Emily downed her drink.

After several rounds, she was feeling tipsy.

The bald man sat next to Emily, trying to grope her, but Patrick blocked him.

The bald man, seemingly drunk, said, "You wore this to get into my bed, didn't you?"

Shirley said, "How can you say that about Emily? She's our top secretary."

If it weren't for the allergy and the alcohol making her weak and itchy, Emily would have slapped him.

The bald man sneered, "What a hypocrite! You act all virtuous, but you're just a whore!"

Emily couldn't take it anymore and was about to slap him when she heard a familiar, magnetic voice.

Patrick said, "That's right."

So, this was how Patrick saw her all along. Emily's vision went black, and she lost her strength.

"But no matter what, she's my problem to deal with," Patrick said.

Unfortunately, Emily didn't hear the last part as she fainted.