Eve's steak sailed through the air, a blur of crimson and chaos, but Emma was quick. She raised her napkin just in time, the bloody slab missing her by inches and splattering against the wall behind her. The room fell silent, the weight of what had just happened sinking in.
"Did you just throw meat at me?" Emma asked, her voice dangerously calm, her eyes narrowing.
Eve's lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, sweetie, I thought you were hungry. Here, have some salad too!"
Before anyone could intervene, Eve grabbed her salad bowl and flung its contents at Emma. Lettuce leaves, cherry tomatoes, and croutons flew through the air like projectiles in slow motion. It was like the Matrix, as Emma ducked and managed to avoid each of vegetables slices projectile with impressive precision.
Emma grabbed her glass of red wine, retaliating without hesitation. She tossed the wine at Eve, the deep red liquid staining her pristine light blue dress like blood.
Eve gasped, her hands flying to her chest. "You ruined my dress!"
"Suits you" Emma shot back, now standing with her hands on her hips, daring Eve to escalate further.
Around the table, everyone was frozen in shock. Lloyd and William's father exchanged stunned glances, unsure whether to intervene or let the chaos unfold. Patrick slowly reached for his glass of water, as if shielding it from becoming the next weapon. Kim looked like she was about to faint, clutching her pearls.
Except for William. He was grinning like a Cheshire cat, thoroughly entertained by the spectacle.
Just as Eve grabbed for another glass, William's mother erupted. "STOP THIS AT ONCE!" she shrieked, her voice echoing through the dining hall like a thunderclap. "HOW DARE YOU PLAY WITH FOOD WHEN HALF OF AFRICA IS STARVING?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Eve froze mid-reach, her fingers hovering over a butter dish, while Emma blinked, suddenly aware of how ridiculous the situation had become.
Without a word, William stood up, reached for Emma's hand, and pulled her to her feet. "We're done here," he said simply, his voice calm but firm.
"William, where do you think you're going?" his mother demanded.
"Somewhere sane," he shot back, already leading Emma toward the door.
The pair moved quickly, practically running through the grand hallways of the manor, Emma stumbling slightly as she tried to keep up. "William, what are you doing?" she asked breathlessly.
"Saving you from my insane family," he replied, his hand gripping hers tightly.
They stopped on the second floor, William finally slowing to a halt outside a large oak door. Emma was panting, her mind spinning from the whirlwind of events. "What just happened?" she asked, still catching her breath.
William turned to her, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "What a lunch huh?" he said dryly.
Emma groaned, rubbing her temples. "Am I to blame?"
"Not really" he admitted, "but Eve's been itching to start something with you from the moment she realized who you were."
Emma crossed her arms. "And you just sat there, enjoying the show?"
William shrugged. "You held your own. I wasn't about to get in the way of a battle royal."
Emma rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, William opened the door. "Come on. Let me show you my room."
Emma hesitated, her curiosity battling with her irritation. "Your room?"
"Yes," he said, stepping aside to let her in.
"We need to talk, and this is the one place no one will interrupt us."
Emma stepped inside, her eyes scanning the space. It was surprisingly minimal for someone of his status, dark wood furniture, a neatly made bed, and a few personal touches like books and framed photos.
"I have questions," Emma said, turning to face him.
"So do I," William replied, leaning against the doorframe, his expression darkening slightly.
Emma raised an eyebrow. "You first, then."
William's jaw tightened. "What's the deal with Patrick? From the car, to the table just now, and the way Eve seems green with jealousy?"
Emma blinked, caught off guard. "Patrick? What are you talking about? There nothing going on between us" Her tone was firm, but she couldn't shake the memory of that awkward incident in the office restroom, or the fact that she'd once harbored a harmless crush on Patrick.
"Are you sure" William said flatly, his eyes narrowing. "You know ba-be, I am very jealous person…"
Emma stared at him, realizing for the first time that William was more than just amused by the chaos tonight—he was jealous. "Are you serious right now?" she asked.
"Dead serious," he said, his voice low.
Emma sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "William, Patrick out colleague. He trained me when I started working at the company. That's it. Nothing more. I don't know why Eve suddenly hate me, and I am sorry for retaliating, I should have know better, but I have done nothing wrong so why should I just sit back there and take it all?"
William studied her face, searching for any hint of deception. Finally, he exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine. I believe you. Make sure I wont find anything more after, I hate liars.."
Emma shook her head, unable to decide if she was more frustrated or amused. "You're impossible."
"And you're beautiful," William countered, a small smirk returning to his face.
Emma rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Is there more?"
William stepped closer, his expression softening. "Why didn't you back down tonight? Most people would've folded under my mother's scrutiny."
Emma's eyes met his, unwavering. "Because I'm not most people. If someone's being cruel, I won't sit back and take it. I'm no martyr—martyrs end up dead, and I like living."
William answered "Fair enough but first she is my mother, second she is older than you. Third, all other girls will try to win her side, just like Kim there."
.
Emma answered "Being old or Aged is not a license to get away from belittling anyone… beside I am not just anybody, I hate getting favors by just swooning under someone. Isnt that is why you like me?"
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the tension between them shifting into something more electric.
"Well," William said softly, his lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Lunch was a disaster, but I think this kind of dinner is much more exciting." Leaning towards Emma.
Emma step back. "Don't get any ideas."
"No promises," he teased, stepping even closer.