At the checkout, Alex Hamilton asked someone to pack all the dresses that Emily Williams had tried on. Emily Williams was taken aback and hurriedly stopped him, saying, "Just this one on me is enough as an apology."
"It's fine. I used to offend you a lot, so these clothes should be enough," Alex Hamilton replied.
"But how am I supposed to wear so many? It's not like there's a banquet every day," Emily Williams frowned.
"Who said you have to wear them at a banquet? You can only wear these dresses for me to see," Alex Hamilton said dismissively.
Emily Williams tilted her face up, "You're being so overbearing. Why should I only wear them for you? You're my boss, not my boyfriend."
Ignoring her, Alex Hamilton finished paying and walked out of the dress shop. Emily Williams followed behind him, carrying bags of clothes, completely unable to figure out what this man was all about.
As soon as they stepped into the banquet hall, Alex Hamilton and Emily Williams unavoidably became the center of attention.
Alex Hamilton was used to such occasions and seemed unfazed, while Emily Williams felt a bit uneasy.
Since her high school days, she had been recognized as the school's beauty with a hot figure. However, such a title brought her more trouble. The girls who envied her beauty and abilities did not approve of her, and they called her a decorative vase behind her back. She cared about it, so she never made an effort to dress herself up.
Perhaps sensing her uneasiness, Alex Hamilton leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "You're you, don't worry about what others think. You look beautiful tonight."
Because of Alex Hamilton's compliment, a blush immediately appeared on Emily Williams' face, and she regained her confidence and composure.
Because the chairman called him, Alex Hamilton quickly walked towards him, leaving her alone.
Emily Williams picked up a glass of wine and sipped lightly, soon surrounded by a group of single men.
"Manager Emily, I never thought you could be so beautiful when you dress up," someone expressed their admiration.
Emily Williams smiled softly, "Thank you."
"Emily Williams, care to dance?" a gentlemanly man extended his hand, inviting her to dance.
Emily Williams looked around until she noticed Alex Hamilton being surrounded by a group of flamboyantly dressed women before nodding to the man inviting her to dance.
She didn't know that Hamilton had just glanced at her because she didn't obediently wait for him in place and accepted another man's invitation to dance. Hamilton looked displeased with a dark expression on his face. However, surrounded by a group of women, he couldn't get angry and could only pretend to be attentive to them while occasionally glancing at Emily Williams's direction.
Seeing the man's hand around Emily Williams's waist, Hamilton felt really unhappy. He didn't expect Emily Williams, dressed conservatively, to look so stunning and seductive under the crystal chandelier. She was wearing the cheongsam he had chosen for her, with her slender figure, ample bosom, and curvy hips, attracting the attention of all the men present. Suddenly, he regretted dressing her up so beautifully and bringing her to such an occasion.
Angry, Hamilton decided not to look at Emily Williams anymore and focused on chatting with the women in front of him, trying to conceal his annoyance and disappointment.
Emily Williams danced with a stranger in the dance floor while her gaze crossed over the man's shoulder, looking at Hamilton's direction. Many women surrounded Hamilton, showering him with attention, and it seemed that he had forgotten about her as he conversed and laughed with those women. She felt very unhappy.
Emily Williams stared at Hamilton, observing his every move, while continuing to dance. When the song ended, she was led away from the dance floor by the man.
Hamilton happened to witness the scene and worried that she would be taken away by another man. So, he abruptly left the group of women and walked straight towards Emily Williams.
Hamilton approached Emily Williams and gentlemanly took hold of the hand that the man was holding her with, tightly embracing her shoulders. "Sorry for making you accompany her for so long."
The man had long set his sights on Emily Williams; it was just that he hadn't found the opportunity to make a move. It was rare for him to invite her to dance that evening, and she had willingly agreed, even showing great enthusiasm. He thought his chance had come.
After the dance, he wanted to take Emily Williams away, but unexpectedly, Hamilton appeared like a dark horse, and not just any ordinary person; he was the CEO sent over by headquarters. The man looked at Hamilton, startled, then glanced at Emily Williams, who was tightly held in Hamilton's arms, realizing something, he stood frozen in place.
"Excuse us." Hamilton held Emily Williams and left the man behind. He admitted that he couldn't let her out of his sight; he was worried that another man might snatch her away at any moment.
"Stick by my side and help me handle the drinks," Hamilton instructed, giving her a simple reason to keep her close.
Emily Williams was somewhat dissatisfied with Alex Hamilton's dominance. She struggled to break free from his control, politely waving at the man as she did so.
Alex Hamilton led her into the crowd, and soon many people came to toast to him.
Emily Williams defended Alex Hamilton from the alcohol, remembering how he had been surrounded by a group of women earlier and had angrily drank in response. His control over her seemed to wane.
"Oh, such a formal banquet, and you're getting completely drunk. How unbecoming," a sharp voice sounded. Several female colleagues who often troubled Emily Williams approached, their wine glasses held in a seductive manner.
Just a moment ago, Alex Hamilton had been enjoying their conversation. If it weren't for Emily Williams engaging with another man, he wouldn't have left them. Regardless, they wanted to take it out on Emily Williams.
Having consumed a lot of alcohol, Emily Williams didn't show any signs of being intoxicated. Instead, the alcohol seemed to enhance her allure. She looked at her female colleagues, lightly smiling as she lifted her glass. "Well, now I will personally apologize to each of you."
"Hmph, can a mere glass of wine be enough to apologize? Don't you know that Hamilton had such a great time talking to us earlier? It's all because of you that he left us. Do you realize how much trouble you've caused Hamilton, your superior? Not only does he have to entertain, but he also has to take care of you. If I had known, I would have fought for you in front of the chairman, so that Hamilton could worry less."
The Head of Public Relations criticized Emily Williams without mercy in front of Alex Hamilton. She believed that since he had enjoyed their conversation so much, he might be looking for a new assistant.
Emily Williams felt upset. Although she knew it was wrong to be defiant against Alex Hamilton, the Head of Public Relations was being sarcastic, and Alex Hamilton remained calm. Suddenly, anger surged within her, and she quickly finished her drink before pushing Alex Hamilton towards them, saying, "Now I'm returning him to you. Is that enough?"
Emily Williams didn't know what had come over her; she couldn't fathom her own behavior. She was momentarily at a loss.
Alex Hamilton looked at Emily Williams, who was now uncertain about her actions, and he wasn't angry. In his eyes was an imperceptible compassion.
Alex Hamilton, with his tall figure, slightly leaned over, causing his glass to collide with the Head of Public Relations'. She pretended to be startled and spilled the contents of her glass onto Emily Williams. The glass fell to the ground as she feigned panic and let out a shocked cry, assuming an innocent expression.
As she watched her cheongsam stained with red wine, the alcohol dripped down her legs. Without hesitation, he took off his jacket and gently tied it around her waist. He also held the tissue handed by the waiter and gently wiped the wine off her legs.
Emily Williams looked at Alex Hamilton, who was extremely gentle and considerate towards her, and although she was moved, she was still a little angry.
"What happened?" The chairman walked over and asked with concern.
"It's Emily Williams..." The head of the PR department was about to play the victim card and report to the chairman, but was interrupted by a warning glare from Alex Hamilton.
"It's nothing. I accidentally spilled the wine and it happened to splash on Manager Emily." Alex Hamilton calmly explained to the chairman.
Emily Williams didn't expect Alex Hamilton to lie to the chairman. Although it was her own fault for causing trouble, it was clearly the head of the PR department who spilled the wine on her. She couldn't help but feel jealous, thinking that Alex Hamilton was helping the head of the PR department instead of her.
The dinner party had not ended yet, and Alex Hamilton greeted the chairman before supporting the stumbling Emily Williams to leave the venue.
"Aren't you going to accompany them? I can go home alone." Emily Williams pushed away Alex Hamilton and reached out to hail a taxi.
"Emily Williams, you're not acting right tonight." Alex Hamilton was a little angry.
Emily Williams looked at him sadly. "You're being mean to me..."
"Think whatever you want." Alex Hamilton squeezed her into the car, fastened her seatbelt, and became her makeshift driver.
"You're being mean to me, just like in the beginning. You clearly don't like me. It hurt so much when we shook hands..." Emily Williams vented all her grievances.
"I didn't expect you to hold grudges. You're so petty." Alex Hamilton couldn't help but laugh, and his previous annoyance disappeared instantly.
Resting against the back of the seat, Emily Williams glanced at him. "I still want to drink."
She wanted to get drunk, so she wouldn't have worries or sorrows.
"What's the point of drinking? Your alcohol tolerance is so poor, yet you still want to drink." Alex Hamilton looked at her impatiently, but her flushed cheeks made his heart flutter.
"I still want to drink!" Emily Williams held onto Alex Hamilton's arm and rubbed her face against his clothes.
While Alex Hamilton focused on driving, he gently pushed her away. "Emily Williams, can you be quieter? We'll be home soon."
"Fine, take me home. I hate you." Emily Williams let go of him and said in a serious manner.
"I like you so much, and yet you dislike me, Emily Williams. You're being unfair," Hamilton unintentionally voiced his feelings.
Emily Williams turned her face to the side, her bright twinkling eyes fixed on him. "How could you like me? Just now, there were many girls surrounding you. I can see that you prefer them more..."
"Emily Williams, are you jealous?" Hamilton gazed at Emily, who was staring at him, and affectionately ruffled her hair.
"Let go of your hand." Emily Williams pushed away Hamilton's palm and sat to the side, trying to make herself more clear-headed. She didn't want to indulge in his tenderness that would only hurt her.