Chapter 8 Inexplicable Anger

'Why does it look like a proposal?' Emily thought as her face flushed red. It wasn't a proposal at all.

She deliberately ignored Edward's burning stare at her. The important thing to focus on at the moment was this invitation from Ryan. She calmed herself and walked towards her high school senior.

Ryan extended one arm in invitation to Emily. When she took his outstretched hand, the music began to flow around them. They danced gracefully on the stage, looking like a couple in love.

Everyone's eyes fell on them. In the sea of adoring people, Edward narrowed his eyes at them. His eyes focused on Emily's figure. He hadn't seen her for a long time. She seemed to have lost some weight but still, she looked even lovelier. Did love make her bloom?

A flash of anger enveloped Edward's heart.

The dim light of the hall casted a menacing shadow on his face. He looked like a handsome devil ready to wreak havoc on earth.

After the song ended, the guests applauded the couple warmly. It was now time for everyone to dance. Many guests gathered round into circles and broke into dancing groups.

Emily followed Ryan down the stage when a hand grabbed her wrist. She felt herself being pulled away from Ryan.

"Mr. Ning, let me borrow your date for a while." The tone didn't leave any room for negotiation. This arrogant and domineering behavior was only familiar to Emily. Who else could it be other than Edward?

"Mr. Situ, I want to rest now. Please find another lady to dance with you." Emily hastily refused.

All of a sudden, Edward pulled her into his arms. His eyes filled with possessiveness. "Are you tired from how long you've been here? Let me help to wake you up."

"You..." Emily was about to pull herself free from Edward's hold when the music burst into a fast song.

Edward's hand found purchase on Emily's ample butt. His movement was on beat of the song. To onlookers, it might have seemed that he were dancing with Emily and not copping a feel.

There was a playful smile on his face, as if telling Emily that he was doing it on purpose. And he didn't regret it.

There was a brief spell that Emily only felt numb and frozen. She didn't know what to do. It seemed like all the blood in her head drained. If it weren't for the fact that they were in the middle of the dance, she would have screamed her head off. But alas, she was in a public place and she couldn't embarrass Ryan twice this evening.

She could only grit her teeth and warn Edward, "Take your hands off me."

Edward kept his hold on her. He then led her to sway and dance with the music. It was a tango.

"We haven't seen each other for two weeks. Your body is still sensitive to my touch," Edward said in a leering voice.

Emily felt shame burn through her. She felt sorely humiliated but she couldn't fight back. So instead, she turned her head away from Edward and continued to ignore him.

However, Edward didn't let her go. Instead, he pulled her even closer before putting his mouth on her ear. "So how many times have you slept with Ryan Ning already?"

Emily felt uneasy at his accusations.

Her face paled even further. "You... What do you mean?"

Edward curled his lips into a devilish smirk. He said, "Congratulations! The key witness suddenly disappeared and your father was proven innocent. You should really thank him for his effort."

Emily's mind was a mess. Before she could grasp the meaning of his words, Edward turned serious. The music went on and they continued dancing. Edward's grip on her body tightened, forcing her lower body to get into contact with his. They must have looked like a pair of lovers who couldn't keep their hands off each other.

Her face burned with shame. She could only glare at Edward angrily. It seemed like the more she glared at him, the more he found it fun to toy with her. He kept on pulling her close to his body over the course of the music.

Emily's nerves were starting to fray on the edges from exhaustion. She had to keep a happy facade to deal with Edward's tricks. And Edward seemed to know how to time his perverted moves along with the music. Emily would try to turn away from him but he would always find a way to pull her back.

The music blissfully came to an end and the unassuming crowd applauded them. To them, the couple danced wonderfully. For the adoring crowd, it might have seem that the music was made for them.

Emily hastily broke free from Edward and escaped into the crowd.

Ryan quickly noticed her pale face and the panic in her eyes. "Emily, are you okay?"

"I... It's my shoes. I'm not used to wearing anything this high. I'm a little light-headed from wearing them." Emily tried to cover up. She didn't know what she was talking about. The whole encounter with Edward still shook her to her core. She was afraid Edward would bring up her shameful past with Ryan around.

"Ryan, I want to go home," Emily asked weakly.

"Of course, you silly girl. If you're not used to wearing such high shoes, then don't force yourself. Wear something more sensible next time." There was a hint of tenderness on Ryan's face as he looked at Emily with some sympathy.

She didn't know why but somehow, her dark mood lightened up with Ryan around. She tried to smile awkwardly and said, "But I'm too short. You're way too tall for me. If I stand beside you on flat heels, I will look like a child. How could I stand beside you if I don't wear heels?"

In truth, Emily wasn't that short. But compared with Ryan's naturally tall stature, she would seem like a dainty lady beside him.

He shook his head in amusement at her and sighed. "I don't really mind. And you shouldn't care so much, too. Let's just go. I'll drive you home now."

"No! You're the host. You should stay behind and finish with your duties here. I can go home by myself." Emily shook her head at Ryan's offer.

"Don't worry about them. Everything that's important was already done. My part here is done and my assistant could take over." Always the gentleman, Ryan was persistent in seeing Emily home.

It would be in bad taste to refuse his offer again. So Emily acquiesced and said, "Fine. Thank you, Ryan."

"Don't mention it." Ryan smiled faintly at her. He spoke to his assistant before he led her towards the door.

Not knowing whether it was intentional or not, Ryan found Edward staring at them amidst the crowd. The two men watched each other in tense silence. Ryan gently took Emily's hand in his.

"Be careful not trip with your high heels. Here, hold my hand and walk carefully," Ryan said before shooting a glance at Edward.

"Don't worry. I can walk fine." Emily smiled sweetly at Ryan. His sudden touch made her a little uncomfortable. All these nonconsensual touches tonight had been chafing on her sanity. She wanted to break away from Ryan's grip but he only held on tighter. In the end, she gave up the fight and let him hold her.

Edward watched as the two of them left the hall. Smiling evilly, he tightened his hold on the wine glass on his hand.