Chapter 971

Emily shook her head. “You know I can’t carry a tune to save my life. You do it.”
Elizabeth nudged her shoulder with a grin. “You went out for a walk and you’re still in a mood? What gives?”
Her eyes drifted up to Emily’s head, and she reached out to tug at Emily’s messy ponytail. “What happened to your hair? Your hair tie’s about to fall out.”
Emily’s tone was casual. “Oh, I just went and punched someone. Had to let off some steam.”
Elizabeth’s hand froze mid-motion. “You punched someone? Who?”
Emily pulled the hair tie out and gathered her hair back with practiced ease. “That foreign guy you mentioned earlier. The cute one.”
Elizabeth nearly choked. “No way. Since when are you that hot-headed?”
Before Emily could answer, the next karaoke song started up. She waved her off. “Forget it. You keep singing.”
The three-day business trip had a predictable rhythm: each afternoon, Vanguard Automotive held meetings to pitch their latest projects. The rest of the time, everyone was left to their own devices, hoping to network with Vanguard’s executives and gather as much intel as possible.
When it came to social maneuvering, Elizabeth was the undisputed expert.
Later that evening, after Elizabeth nailed her song, she sent Emily a file with background info on Vanguard’s key contact.
This time, it was Juliet Thomas, Vanguard’s deputy head of marketing. In her forties, Juliet had clawed her way up in a cutthroat industry with no family connections or powerful backers to smooth her path. She was known for her sharp instincts, decisive moves, and the uncanny ability to charm or outmaneuver anyone across a boardroom table.
Early the next morning, Juliet invited all the visiting companies out for a lakeside fishing trip. Vanguard had already set up the rods and gear.
When Emily and Elizabeth arrived, several people were already gathered at the water’s edge, chatting in small groups. Juliet was at the center, nodding and laughing as she held court.
Scanning the crowd, Emily immediately spotted Larkin Porter-company badge on display, trailing after his boss. He looked nothing like the cheerful guy she’d met yesterday. Today, his expression was dark, and there were fresh bruises along his jaw and cheekbone.
That bruise on his lip? Courtesy of Andrew Lane.
The one on his cheek? Emily’s own handiwork.
Quite the masterpiece.
Larkin glanced up. The moment he saw Emily, his eyes sharpened, turning cold and dangerous.
Emily just raised an eyebrow and tilted her head at him.
Larkin’s face clouded even further. He clenched his fists, drew in a deep breath, and turned his back on her.
Emily and Elizabeth strolled over to the lakeshore and picked a couple of empty spots. They followed the instructions, baited their hooks, and cast their lines into the water.
As she fumbled with her fishing rod, Elizabeth muttered, “That’s him? You really roughed him up, huh? His whole face is bruised.”
Emily hesitated. “One of those bruises isn’t mine.”
Elizabeth barely looked up. “What, are there good Samaritans in the audience now?”
Emily was quiet for a moment. “It was Andrew Lane. He happened to be there too.”
Elizabeth nearly lost hold of her rod. “Wait, Andrew Lane? You mean Andrew Lane stuck up for you and punched the guy?”
Emily nodded.
And just like that, her mood took a nosedive.
Elizabeth whistled, shaking her head. “Seriously? Are you sure he was sticking up for you? I can’t picture Andrew Lane doing something like that. Since when does he take your side?”
Emily wanted to deny it, but the truth was, Andrew had only intervened because of her.
Honestly…
She felt her stomach sink again, and a sharp urge rose to march over and give Larkin another black eye.
“I don’t want to talk ab-”
“It was me,” a low, familiar voice cut in. “Care to complain about it?”
Emily’s heart skipped. She turned to see Andrew Lane settle in on her left, fishing rod in hand, his movements far more practiced than either hers or Elizabeth’s.
She knew Andrew loved fishing he sometimes even went out deep-sea for it.
Elizabeth’s mouth fell open, saying exactly what Emily was thinking, “Why are you sitting here?”