Chapter 658 Opportunity
Emma's fingers curled unconsciously. "This is designed in the typical Russell Group style."
"I don't need anything so flashy," George's voice was as cold as ice. "Keep it simple. After all..." He paused, a sarcastic smile tugging at his lips, "Not everyone likes to dress up their emotions so extravagantly."
His words felt like a dull knife stabbing into Emma's heart. She forced herself to maintain a professional demeanor despite the pain. "Alright, I'll make the adjustments."
The atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense. Emma could feel the two bodyguards in the corner watching their every move. One of them even had his hand on his earpiece, ready to report to Michael at any moment.
George suddenly let out a cold laugh, his gaze sweeping over the two men in black. "Quite the entourage you have, needing bodyguards for a design meeting?" His voice dripped with sarcasm. "What, afraid I'll harm you? Or maybe..." His eyes turned icy, "You're afraid you can't control yourself?"
Emma's heart clenched. She opened her mouth but couldn't explain that the bodyguards were actually sent by Michael to monitor her. In the end, she could only muster a stiff smile. "Mr. Russell, you're joking."
"I already have a fiancée," George's voice was chilling. "You don't need to be so guarded around a married man. Even if you don't want to be with me, you could choose someone else. But why, Michael? Have you..." He stepped forward, lowering his voice, "Forgotten Seraphine? Forgotten how our daughter died?"
His words hit Emma like a sledgehammer, making her vision go black. Her nails dug into her palms, but she felt no pain. She wanted to scream that Seraphine was still alive, that it was all Michael's plot. But the eyes in the corner were like invisible shackles, preventing her from saying a word.
"I'm just following protocol," Emma lifted her chin, forcing herself to meet his gaze, though her voice trembled uncontrollably. "If Mr. Russell is dissatisfied, you can choose another designer."
"Protocol?" George sneered. "Since when do you care about protocol? When you betrayed me for Michael, did you think about protocol?" His voice grew colder. "Or is it that, to you, emotions are like these jewelry designs, easily replaceable?"
Emma's face turned deathly pale. She wanted to explain, to tell him she was forced, to tell him it was all to protect Seraphine. But in the end, she just bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.
Just as the tension reached its peak, the conference room door was suddenly flung open. A secretary rushed in, panic-stricken. "There's a fire in the electrical room downstairs! The whole building needs to be evacuated!"
The bodyguards immediately pulled out their radios, which crackled with chaotic shouting and static. They exchanged a glance and quickly moved to Emma's side. "Mrs. Russell, we need to leave immediately."
Emma's heart raced. This was her chance! She forced herself to stay calm. "You go check the situation first. I'll gather the design drafts and follow right behind."
The bodyguards hesitated, but the emergency evacuation broadcast was already blaring. They nodded and quickly left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Emma turned to George, her defensive posture crumbling. "George, listen to me..."
George's expression changed.
George?
She still called him George?
Why did Emma's attitude change so quickly? What was she up to?
No, her attitude shifted as soon as the bodyguards left. Could the issue be with them? George's previous coldness vanished. "Emma, what's going on? Those bodyguards..."
"They're Michael's men!" Emma whispered urgently, speaking quickly. "He..."
Before she could finish, the lights in the conference room went out, replaced by eerie red emergency lights. Outside, footsteps and shouts echoed. Emma looked towards the door in terror, seeing the bodyguards approaching.
"What about him?" George pressed urgently.
Emma was about to answer when she saw the bodyguards standing at the door. She dared not speak further and quickly stepped back, resuming her distant demeanor.
The bodyguards rushed in. "Mrs. Russell, are you alright? We need to evacuate immediately!"
Emma nodded, clutching the design papers and walking out quickly. As she passed George, she didn't dare look at him, afraid her emotions would be exposed under the bodyguards' watchful eyes.
George stood still, watching Emma leave, surrounded by bodyguards. His fists clenched at his sides, knuckles white. Emma's unfinished words echoed in his mind. What had she wanted to tell him?
But more than that, he was troubled by the flash of fear in Emma's eyes. What was she afraid of? Those bodyguards were clearly not her choice. This realization gripped George's heart like an invisible hand.
After evacuating to a safe area, Emma was tightly guarded by the bodyguards. She saw George talking to the firefighters from a distance but didn't dare glance in his direction.
"Mrs. Russell, Mr. Russell has ordered us to take you directly back to the villa," the lead bodyguard said quietly. "Today's meeting is canceled."
Emma nodded numbly and obediently got into the car. The bright sunlight outside was blinding, but it couldn't warm her cold heart. She had missed another chance to tell George the truth, and she didn't know if there would be another.
As the car slowly drove away, she saw George looking in her direction through the rearview mirror. Their eyes met briefly before quickly breaking away. So many unsaid words, so many suppressed emotions, all turned into that silent glance.
Back at the villa, Emma was taken directly to the study. Michael stood by the window, his back to the door.
"I heard today's meeting didn't go well?" His voice was soft but sent a chill down Emma's spine.
"It was just a difference in design concepts," Emma tried to keep her voice steady.
Michael slowly turned, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Really? I thought you might have discussed some inappropriate topics."
Emma's heart skipped a beat, but she kept her face calm. "What could we discuss? His wedding details?"
Michael stared at her for a long time before suddenly chuckling. "Go rest. You look tired."
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