Page 62 of Addicted To His Favorite
“Was that video from a few days ago real? Is Emily really having an affair with Mr. Cantrell?” one man murmured.
Another chimed in, “It looked like Emily. Could it be that she’s really Lucas’s mistress, and now Amelia’s found out? That’s probably why she came here to cause a scene.”
“That would explain why Amelia’s furious—why else risk her own reputation making a scene like this?” another woman said.
Throughout the day, rumors spread quickly, twisting the story further with each retelling.
Unfazed, Emily walked out of the office, headed downstairs, and exited the building to have lunch at the restaurant across the street.
Jacob appeared beside her just as she stepped outside on the street. “Emily,” he called, catching up to her. She stopped and turned as he fell into step beside her.
“If you want to take a break from work until all this Lucas mess blows over,” he said lightly, “do it. We’re the owners—you decide when to show up.” His smile was easy. “I won’t think twice if you want some time.”
Emily halted mid-stride and turned to face Jacob with a small, reassuring smile. “There’s no need to worry. I’m fine,” she said softly.
“Of course she’s going to be fine. It’s not like she’s the one dealing with all the issues,” another voice chimed in, dripping with false sweetness.
Amelia appeared at their side, her eyes sweeping over Jacob before settling on Emily like a predator. She put on a mask of innocence and addressed Jacob in a syrupy tone.
“Mr. Nox, I’m so sorry about this… unfortunate situation,” she said, her voice all softness and apology.
She then turned to Emily, and her expression shifted in an instant. Her voice was still deceptively calm, but anger burned beneath it. “Even after your reputation’s been dragged through the mud, you still have the nerve to show up at Mr. Nox’s company and act like nothing happened?”
Emily gave her an annoyed stare and snapped,“Why haven’t you left yet? Are you so free these days that you have time to follow me around and stalk me out of my own office?”
A flicker of anger flashed in Amelia’s eyes, but she turned back to Jacob, smoothing her expression. “Mr. Nox, I actually came to speak with you,” she said, shifting her posture so her curves caught the light. Her voice dropped to a patient, condescending lilt. “You really should consider what I’m about to say. Emily’s always surrounded by bad press. Her reputation will only hurt your company and your upcoming launch.”
Jacob looked at Emily first, then shifted his gaze to Amelia, raising a brow. “And what would you suggest, Miss Jones?” he asked, staring at her.
Chapter 22 Hide My Husband
Thinking she had successfully swayed him, Amelia adjusted her posture again to look prettier and said eagerly,
“How about this—I take over the lead designer role on your new project with Mr. Graves’ company? I already work for Lucas’s firm, and our international launch is doing extremely well. Partnering with me would give you instant positive exposure. Unlike with Emily, the press will only be good for you.”
Jacob’s lips twitched, his eyes watering slightly from the effort of holding back laughter. He took a deep breath, lifting his fingers to his eyes to rub them, struggling to suppress the amusement at Amelia’s shamelessness.
Emily nearly lost her composure watching Amelia blatantly try to sell herself to him, confident she was pulling him into her web. She was practically offering herself on a silver platter to Jacob, thinking he would hang on her every word. She wanted him to do exactly what Lucas had—give in to her every whim.
Before either Jacob or Emily could respond, a deep voice cut in from behind.
“No one is ever going to replace Emily on any project I assign her to.”
Amelia froze, spinning around to see Sebastian striding toward them. He came to stand beside Emily, his presence radiating authority. His gaze, sharp as a blade, locked on Amelia. “From now on, every project I give to any company in this country will have its designs made only by Emily. No one else.”
Amelia’s jaw dropped in shock, and she struggled to breathe. Her face turned pale as she tried to suppress her fury, but she had no words.
Emily edged closer to Sebastian and whispered, “What are you doing here?”
His eyes twinkled as he looked at her with an affectionate gaze and muttered quietly. “I came to pick up my wife.”
Amelia, standing right in front of them, noticed the way Sebastian looked at Emily—intimate, soft… and heated. Her body froze, her mind momentarily blank. Was he… trying to seduce this woman? The thought shot through her like a jolt. She immediately interjected, her voice sharp and calculated:
“Mr. Graves, you’ve invested 1 billion dollars in your project. Emily is drowning in negative press all over the country—it’s been going on for months. Surely you don’t want to jeopardize a project this size.”
Sebastian didn’t even glance at her. His eyes remained locked on Emily. Nonchalantly, he said, “You call fifty billion a lot?” His tone was almost mocking. “That may be a fortune to you, but to me, it’s peanuts. If it’s gone because of Emily, then it’s gone.”
Finally, he turned his gaze on Amelia, and the warmth in his expression vanished, replaced by an icy disdain as if he’d never seen anything more unpleasant. “Not that I’m worried. I know Emily will do a terrific job. I trust her completely.”
