Chapter 11 Disloyalty

Emelie parked and walked up to him. "Mr. Middleton." The dim streetlight on the path faintly outlined William's stern expression. He didn't look at Emelie, the tip of his cigarette flickering in the dark. Emelie sighed inwardly, glanced around, and noticed a 24-hour convenience store nearby. She headed to the store, picked up a chicken sandwich, and made her way back. "You barely ate anything tonight. Have something to feed your stomach, so you don't get a stomachache again." William glanced at her and took the sandwich. Emelie spoke in a low voice, "Even if you're dissatisfied with what Mr. Middleton Senior said, you shouldn't have talked back to him in such a manner. He's prone to high blood pressure and was even hospitalized at the end of last year…" Suddenly, William let out a cold laugh and threw away the sandwich. He swiftly grabbed Emelie, opened the car door, and pressed her into the back seat! His movements were seamless, leaving Emelie feeling like the world is spinning around her. Her nerves exploded, and she blocked William. "Mr. Middleton! Not here, please!" He restrained her hands above her head, his tone devoid of any warmth. He chillingly said, "Even Ms. Hoven has learned to say no? I thought you were everyone's favorite." Trapped in the cramped space of the back seat, his presence was overwhelming. Emelie paused before asking the question burning inside her, "Who claims I'm everyone's favorite? Clearly, Mr. Middleton, you aren't fond of me... But what about Daphne? Do your feelings for her run deep, or are they merely passing fancy?" She initially believed William's interest in Daphne to be nothing more than a fleeting curiosity or a mild attraction. Yet, his tolerance of Daphne's stance on premarital relations took her by surprise, indicating she may have misunderstood the nature of their relationship. Her previous misjudgment had led to a two-month exile. Now, any misjudgments seemed to spell the end of whatever was between her and William. She could have chosen not to ask. There was virtue in obliviousness, in not seeking too deep, pretending nothing happened so everyone could live in peace. Since she was saved by him three years ago, she had fallen hopelessly in love with him. She thought that she was content to be by his side, even if it meant losing her dignity to become nothing more than a tool. After all, if not for him, she would have ended up in a far worse state at the hands of those people three years ago. But that wasn't the case. Human nature craved more with every inch given. And from the moment she had fallen for him, she had greedily wanted everything she could not have. As she watched the affection, bias, and even the marriage she longed for being extended to someone else, her patience had worn thin, leading her to finally voice her thoughts. Had he truly fallen for Daphne? Was it the kind of affection that led to marriage? William remained silent, his gaze fixed on her in the dim light. However, his quiet almost served as an admission. Emelie softly laughed. "You wish to marry her yet you're here with me. Doesn't that seem somewhat disloyal?" "You're merely a tool, how does loyalty come into it?" Before he could finish speaking, a slap landed swiftly and accurately on William's face. It wasn't forceful, but Emelie hadn't expected herself to make such a move. Their eyes locked. William felt the sting of being hit for the first time, particularly by the woman he least respected, chilling him to the core. Emelie might have referred to herself as a tool, but hearing it from William inflicted a different kind of pain. She slapped him, but she had no regrets. She even felt herself trembling. For the first time, she understood the sensation of trembling with rage. William's gaze turned cold as he spotted the tears in her eyes, irritation surging within him. He abruptly stood up and tugged at his collar. He then irritably said, "Get out." Emelie pursed her lips and quickly tidied up before stepping out of the car. Just as she was about to shut the door, William drove away hastily. As she gazed at the diminishing lights of the car, a profound weariness enveloped her, becoming more oppressive by the moment. She felt as if she had reached her limit. An invisible force seemed to be compelling her to leave. This opportunity to leave happened surprisingly quickly, virtually by the next day.