Chapter 4 How Much Are You Offering to Buy Me

For a moment, Emily's mind went completely blank.

Why was there someone in that room?

And why was it him?

"Sorry." After a brief daze, Emily finally found her voice. "I didn't know there was someone here. I didn't mean to intrude."

With that, she quickly shut the door and walked away.

As soon as she reached the hallway, she saw a staff member carrying a full set of men's suits, hurrying toward the room.

Noticing Emily, he paused to greet her before entering the room.

Emily initially intended to leave quickly but suddenly slowed her pace and stopped.

Before long, the staff member exited the room and closed the door behind him.

"Who's in there?" Emily asked.

"A friend of our director's. He got his clothes dirty nearby and was in a hurry, so he came here to change," the staff member explained.

Emily nodded slowly without asking further.

The staff left in a rush, leaving her still standing in the hallway.

Shortly after, she heard the sound of a door opening from the room again.

Then, he stepped out.

The dim lighting from last night, along with the chaos in the restroom earlier, had prevented Emily from getting a clear look at him.

Now, for the first time, she saw him in full clarity.

He was an exceptionally handsome man.

His striking features were carved with precision-well-defined and structured. Thick, dark eyebrows framed his deep, piercing eyes. A perfectly straight nose and full, well-shaped lips accentuated his sharp bone structure. His entire presence was effortlessly captivating.

His suit jacket was draped over his arm. The crisp white dress shirt wrapped around his broad shoulders and lean, muscular frame, making his posture appear even more poised and refined.

Compared to his dangerous and enigmatic aura earlier, clad only in a bath towel, he now looked like a completely different person.

Noticing Emily, he paused.

Emily quickly pushed away the thoughts in her mind and sincerely apologized once again. "I'm really sorry for intruding earlier."

"It's fine," he responded.

Despite his breathtaking appearance, his expression remained indifferent, his words brief and reserved.

Emily smiled slightly, momentarily unsure of what else to say.

As the silence stretched between them, he suddenly extended his hand toward her.

Emily stood still.

His fingers reached for her left ear, brushing against her earlobe. The sapphire earring dangling there slipped effortlessly from its clasp, landing in his palm.

He extended his hand toward her. "Your earring was loose."

They were practically strangers, having only met twice under strange circumstances.

His action, by all accounts, was somewhat presumptuous.

Yet, he executed it with such effortless composure, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Emily quickly gathered herself and took the earring from his hand, putting it back on.

"Thank you."

As she adjusted her earring, he observed the faint indentation on her ring finger-a mark left by a wedding band worn for a long time. Without a change in expression, he withdrew his gaze and turned to leave.

"Sir!" Emily spoke before she even had time to think. The words left her mouth before she could stop them. "Would you be interested in attending a charity gala with me tonight?"

He paused but did not turn around. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"Well then, Miss Emily-how much are you offering to buy me for?"

Emily froze.

Then, realization hit her-

He had overheard her phone call earlier!

She had just been discussing hiring a male escort, only for her request to be declined. Then, moments later, she invited him to an event.

It was no wonder he misunderstood.

A wave of embarrassment washed over her.

Though he was missing his suit jacket, the impeccable fit of his dress pants and the luxurious sheen of the fabric-paired with the razor-sharp tailoring-made it clear that his attire was custom-made and far from ordinary.

Her invitation was, without a doubt, a major faux pas.

Emily was about to explain when he spoke again.

"Just kidding," he said, his voice cool and even. "Apologies, but I have other plans tonight."

That was a polite refusal.

Emily took the chance to step back gracefully, exhaling softly. She didn't press the issue, simply watching as he walked away and disappeared down the hallway.

Then, she quickly returned to her styling room.

Forty minutes later, Emily arrived at the gala venue.

New York City was home to many prestigious families, but The Green family and The Hall family were among the most powerful, with their ties extending through generations.

However, The Hall family had struggled to produce a capable heir for two consecutive generations, leading many to lament its decline.

A grand legacy with no suitable successor would inevitably fade.

Yet, their annual charity gala remained one of the most anticipated events of the year, drawing in the city's elite.

The event was held in the largest ballroom of a hotel owned by The Hall family. Emily rarely attended such gatherings, so few people recognized her, but she immediately spotted many familiar faces.

Regardless of her relationship with James, she was still, in name, Mrs. Green. Thus, she was seated at the second-most prestigious table.

"Did you hear? The Hall family's third grandson has returned to the country. He might make an appearance tonight."

"What? They have a third grandson? Why have I never heard of him before?"

"Apparently, he was weak and sickly since childhood, so he's been overseas for treatment all this time. He's never set foot in New York before."

"I thought The Hall family had finally found an heir, but it turns out he's just some sickly man?"

"If he were capable, they would've called him back long ago. They wouldn't have waited until now."

"Sigh, what a shame for The Hall family-such a powerful lineage, yet no worthy successor."

Emily followed the usher, passing through the sea of whispers, and took her seat at the highly coveted second table, immediately drawing attention.

"Who's that? I don't think I've seen her before."

"Wait... isn't that her?!"

"Who?"

"Did you see the sapphire earrings she's wearing? Three years ago, The Green family bought a full set of sapphire jewelry at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong. It was meant to be a family heirloom."

"The Green family? So she's... James Green's wife?!"

"That's really her! I thought she never appeared at social events."

"There were rumors that James married an ugly woman, which is why he was always with other women. But this doesn't match the rumors at all..."

As hushed discussions spread, Emily remained indifferent, sipping her wine with a composed smile.

Just as she raised her glass, she noticed a shift in the atmosphere.

Across the room, two ushers straightened their postures in unison.

Behind her, a waiter discreetly whispered to his colleague, "Mr. Hall has arrived."

Mr. Hall?

Emily glanced around, noticing how all the staff had suddenly tensed up.

Aside from Old Mr. Hall, was there another Mr. Hall important enough to cause this much tension?

But Old Mr. Hall had long retired. He wouldn't personally attend an event like this.

A subtle ripple spread through the crowd.

People's gazes were drawn toward the entrance, curiosity filling the air.

Emily followed their line of sight.

Someone had just stepped into the ballroom.

A tall, impeccably dressed man in a peak-lapel three-piece suit walked in, flanked by several high-ranking executives. His refined and authoritative presence immediately captured the room's attention.

For a moment, it was as if everyone else faded into the background.

Like a painting brought to life, the bustling crowd blurred into insignificance, leaving only one person standing in crystal clarity.

Elegant. Untouchable.

Like the moon rising over distant mountains, luminous and unyielding.