Chapter 78

Patrick's aggressive gaze swept over Emily from top to bottom,shamelessly scrutinizing her through the silk nightgown. Emily feIt his look gradually shift from icy cold to fiery hot, and even Patrick's breath began to become oppressive.

This wasn't the first time Emily had seen such desire in Patrick's eyes. She quickly lifted her knee to push against him, and Patrick instinctively bent backward. Seizing the moment. Emily broke free from his grip and retreated into the room. She grabbed the door with both hands.attempting to close it. but Patrick reacted just in time, placing his hand and foot against the door.

Even though Patrick reacted quickly, he still got his hand caught in the doorframe. He glanced at the red mark on his hand and pressed his knee firmly against the door.

"Do you really hate me this much? Or are you just playing hard to get?"Patrick narrowed his eyes, his grip on the door unwavering. No matter how hard Emily tried, she couldn't close the door.

"Let go! You lunatic!" Perhaps it was Emily's resolute resistance or the word "lunatic" that triggered Patrick. With a shove, she was instantly pushed back a few steps by the door's recoil.

Patrick loosened his tie while unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt. Emily sighed, turned, and grabbed a thin blanket from the sofa, wrapping it around herself. She sat cross-legged on the sofa, looking upat Patrick.

"Mr. Rivera, what exactly do you want to do by barging in here? Are you here to rob me or to beat up a former employee? You can tell me, and I'll try my best to cooperate, but please maintain some respect. I'm a person,

not a prostitute you can summon at will."

Patrick knelt on one knee in front of Emily. gripping her chin and pulling her toward him. "Are you in love with Marlon?" Patrick's deep gaze fixed intently on Emily. as if seeking an answer. But if that answer wasn't what he wanted. he could easily belittle this woman who didn't know her place.

"It hurts!" Tears shimmered in Emily's defiant eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

"Say it!" Patrick's grip on her chin tightened as his other hand grasped the back of her neck. Emily suddenly gave up her resistance, tilting her head back softly, yet her gaze was still angled down at Patrick.

In that instant. Patrick felt a pang in his heart. Although it was fleeting, he still averted his gaze and released Emily. She let out a breath.

"If you're here to seek revenge, there's no need. There's nothing between Marlon and me-never has been, isn't now. and won't be in the future."

Upon hearing this, Patrick tilted his head, then stood up and walked to the window, pulling out a cigarette from his pocket. He hadn't even had a chance to light it when Emily suddenly approached from behind,grabbing his hand and snatching the lighter away.

"This is my house; smoking is not allowed." Emily placed the lighter on the coffee table. Patrick frowned slightly.

"Is this your reason for buying a place of your own?"

"That's none of your business. Anyway, smoking is not allowed in my house. Mr. Rivera, if you have nothing else, please leave. I'm tired today and need to rest."

Patrick broke the cigarette in his long fingers. tobacco and white paper fragments scattering all over the floor.

Emily couldn't help but frown repeatedly. Patrick sneered. took off his suit jacket, and sat on the three-seat sofa. his legs spread wide with a strong sense of aggression.

"I won't say it a second time-come here!" Patrick's tone was icy. his aura fully unleashed. In the past. Emily had always feared Patrick when he was like this.

"No! I told you, this is my house! I don't welcome you! How much clearer do I need to be? Or do you want me to call the police before you leave?"Emily deliberately avoided Patrick's gaze. turning her head stubbornly, her voice calm.

"Emily, you have quite the nerve. You should know that whether this is your house or not, as long as I want to, I can stay here indefinitely. There's nothing I. Patrick, can't get."

Patrick was getting agitated, and his words were becoming reckless.

Hearing Patrick say this, Emily sat back down on her small sofa, wrapping herself tightly in the blanket, leaning her head back, and no longer speaking to Patrick.

"Come here." Patrick lightly tapped his fingers on the armrest of the sofa.his tone growing colder.

Emily suddenly thought, 'What if Patrick really forced me later? Should I tell him about the child? If I didn't, would the child be in danger?'

She didn't dare to take that risk. She stood up in anger and then sat down beside Patrick.

"I'm not feeling well." Emily's tome softerred. resembling her past attitude of seeking peace.

Patrick's hand, which was about to reach for her shoulder. fell to her lower back.

"I remember, isn't it your period these days?"

Patrick spoke casually. but Emily felt a storm raging in her heart.When did Patrick start caring about whether she was on her period? In the past.whenever he wanted her, he never cared. and there were times it was a "bloody battle." Emily remained silent.

Patrick's hand covered Emily's back. "You're so thin. If you're having a hard time, just come back with me. There's no need to suffer alone."

Patrick thought he was being considerate. but Emily still shook her head.

"No need, Patrick, I really don't feel well today. I want to rest. If you really like it here, I can let you have the living room, or there are plenty of guest rooms. You can choose one to mnake do with; I don't have the enèrgy to entertain you."

"Ah?! What are you doing? Patrick?! Put me down!" Emily didn't expect Patrick to suddenly lift her from the sofa.

"Since you're not feeling well, let's go to the hospital. Staying at home won't help you recover. If resting could cure you, all the hospitals in the country would have to close down."

"I won't go! Patrick! Put me down! I'm not going to the hospital! I'm just tired, fatigued, do you understand? It's not a physical illness."

"Is your fatigue directed at me or...?"

"Patrick. please stop this. I really need some personal space."

Emily kept pushing him away. but refused to go to the hospital. Patrick suddenly smirked.

He placed Emily back on the sofa. then stood up. pointing at the closed guest room. "There's not a man hiding in there. is there?"

Emily was taken aback for a moment. and Patrick took a long stride,crossing over the small coffee table. beginning to look around Emily's house.