Chapter 4 In just two days, she would be married

But over the years, his doubts grew, always feeling something was missing between them. An ordinary man with an exceptionally beautiful woman inevitably felt insecure.

Beauty has always been a woman's asset. Sometimes, he wondered pessimistically whether Elaine truly knew when enough was enough or if she hadn't yet encountered an opportunity that would make her waver and use her beauty to its fullest advantage.

Maybe it was because he hadn't truly had her that he felt so uneasy. So, he thought that once they were married, he would feel at ease.

Elaine, engrossed in her wedding dress, didn't notice the fleeting confusion on the face of the man beside her.

As they took wedding photos by the flowerbed between two roads, passersby complimented the bride and groom, saying, "The bride is so beautiful."

Elaine enjoyed the happiness of those compliments, feeling very happy.

But taking photos was exhausting. After finishing one set, they were both out of breath, and the photographer suggested they rest for a while.

It was June, and even in the shade, it was very hot at noon.

Sam, in a shirt and vest, felt suffocated and casually unbuttoned a few buttons to breathe easier.

At that moment, the makeup artist approached to touch up their makeup, glanced at Sam's exposed collarbone, and teasingly exclaimed, "Wow! A hickey!"

Elaine, tired and dazed, didn't react, but Sam, like a cat whose tail was stepped on, suddenly covered his shirt, jumped up, and his face turned red: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Elaine, puzzled, asked, "What's going on?"

Sam, buttoning his shirt, stammered, "Nothing... nothing."

The makeup artist, seeing Sam's reaction, didn't tease further, just smiled and shook her head, thinking the couple was very shy.

After touching up their makeup and getting ready for another set of photos, Elaine's assistant ran over with her bag, saying, "Sis, your phone has been ringing non-stop. It must be urgent."

Elaine wondered, who could be looking for her so urgently? She took her bag and pulled out her phone, but the ringing had already stopped. When she looked at the screen, her joyful expression from the photo shoot suddenly darkened.

It was Director Anderson. The scariest part was the 15 missed calls, all from Director Anderson.

Elaine couldn't figure out what was so urgent on a weekend that Director Anderson would call 15 times. Was Anderson Group about to collapse? But even if it were, what could a small assistant like her do?

Despite these thoughts, Elaine nervously called back. After two rings, the call was answered. She cautiously asked, "Director, what can I do for you?"

Liam's icy voice came from the other end. "Get to the office immediately for overtime, within thirty minutes."

Elaine hadn't even had time to find an excuse before Director Anderson hung up.

Elaine was so angry she wanted to swear. She took a deep breath, looked at Sam apologetically, and shrugged. "I'm sorry, the boss is calling me to the office."

Unexpectedly, Sam wasn't angry but smiled awkwardly, as if relieved. He held her hand and said, "It's okay, it's urgent work. We'll take more photos next time." Then, thinking for a moment, he held her hand tighter. "But no matter how busy, don't forget to take half a day off next week to register."

Elaine nodded. In fact, she had already requested leave the previous week, using a health check-up as an excuse. When she submitted the leave request, although Liam wasn't pleased, he still approved it.

Since she had to rush to the office, Elaine had no choice but to go back to the studio to change out of her wedding dress.

When she arrived at the company, Liam's office door was wide open, indicating he had been there for a while. Elaine knocked and entered, cautiously asking, "Director, is there an urgent matter?"

Liam was looking at his computer and didn't bother to look up. He casually tossed her a stack of documents. "These contracts and drawings need to be revised by the end of today."

After a half-day wedding photo shoot, Elaine was exhausted. Seeing the thick stack of papers, she felt like crying.

Noticing she wasn't leaving immediately, Liam finally looked up, irritated, and asked, "Is there a problem?"

Elaine snapped back to reality, took a deep breath as if swallowing back her tears, and quickly shook her head. "No, no, I'll do it right away."

She worked straight through until 8 PM.

Finally finishing her work, Elaine knocked on Liam's door, placed the documents on his desk, and said, "Director, I've finished. Please check if there are any issues."

Liam, lazily leaning back in his chair, picked up the documents and began to review them.

You can't be serious! She was just saying that. Reviewing this stack would take hours, and she wanted to leave immediately.

Seeing no reaction from Liam, Elaine huffed and left, returning to her desk.

As soon as she sat down, she remembered she hadn't had dinner, and her stomach growled. The company cafeteria was closed on weekends, and she was too tired to wait for delivery, so she headed to the break room to find some snacks.

Elaine made herself a cup of coffee, took a big pack of cookies from the fridge, and, exhausted, sat on the table. She kicked off her high heels, leaned against the wall, swung her legs, and started eating and humming.

In just two days, she would be married.

Although she and Sam never had a passionate romance, she believed that a relationship should be as natural and gentle as a flowing stream.

Regardless, her life was about to enter a new phase. She wasn't without excitement. She was about to take on a new identity, that of a wife. In two or three years, she would become a mother.

She didn't know if she would do well, but she was determined to try.

Lost in thought, Elaine suddenly felt the atmosphere in the break room change. Opening her eyes, she saw Liam standing at the door, staring at her with an unreadable expression.

"Director!" Elaine jumped off the table, hurriedly put on her shoes, and nervously asked, "Do you need something?"

Liam held a coffee cup, probably having come to make his own coffee after not finding Elaine.

Elaine asked, but Liam didn't reply. He walked towards her with his coffee.

Instinctively, Elaine reached for his cup, but Liam didn't let go. Instead, he stared at her and said, clearly and firmly, "You seduced me."

It wasn't a question but a statement, as if he were convicting Elaine of an undeniable crime.

Elaine trembled slightly. Although she didn't understand where this was coming from, she instinctively wanted to explain. But just as she opened her mouth, facing Liam's gaze, she froze.

Despite her limited experience, Elaine recognized the danger and the meaning behind such a gaze.