Steven Davis narrowed his eyes.

Emily Blair's voice rang out, firm and unshakable. “Mr. Davis, I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not giving up. I'm going to keep following Tristan, and I won't just stand by and watch him marry someone else. If you really force him into an arranged marriage, I'll step in to ruin it. And frankly, I have no problem being the so-called troublemaker if that's what it takes. If I end up embarrassing your family, then let me apologize in advance."

Steven Davis's expression didn't change. "Ms. Blair, you don't seem like that kind of person."

Emily gave a careless little laugh. "Since you've looked into me, you must know my background. I come from an ordinary family, and for years people said I'd never amount to anything. But look at me now. I'd say I fit the modern definition of 'successful,' wouldn't you?"

Steven didn't argue. Everything she said was true.

Emily really had earned the right to speak her mind.

She continued, "I'm the kind of person who goes after what I want-no half-

measures."

"And what I want is Tristan Davis. I'm not backing down, no matter what you do to stop me."

Steven's gaze darkened as he looked her up and down. "You're brave, I'll give you that. But courage and your current achievements alone aren't enough to take on the Davis family."

"What if you add me to the equation?"

Tristan's voice cut in unexpectedly, low and rough.

Emily felt his grip tighten around her hand.

Suddenly, Tristan turned to face her, his eyes searching hers.

Wait a second-was she imagining things, or did Tristan look genuinely fired up? His eyes seemed glued to her.

She glanced at his ears. Sure enough, they were bright red.

"Emily, I never knew you felt this way about me," he said hoarsely.

Emily opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. Out of Steven's line of sight, her expression grew odd.

Was Tristan acting, or was he actually serious?

Tristan swallowed, his voice raspy. "Emily, listen to me. You don't have to do this. I... I care about you too."

With Steven Davis still standing there, Emily forced a smile, though it was a bit stiff. "What are you talking about?"

Tristan pressed his lips together, his Adam's apple bobbing as he struggled for words. "Emily, I mean it. Let's be together. From now on, you're the only girlfriend I want. There'll never be anyone else."

Emily: What?!

Steven: What?!

Emily shot Tristan desperate looks, trying to telegraph that maybe he was going too far, but she played along. “Tristan, you don't have to do this. Take your time to think about it—don't rush into anything—”

"No. I'm perfectly calm about this."

Tristan squeezed her hand even tighter, practically engulfing hers in his palm. He stared at her, breathing quickening, stepping closer, and leaned down.

Wait-was he really going to...?

A chill ran down Emily's spine. Had she pushed this too far?

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Steven Davis's expression. Time to improvise. She burst into "tears" of joy. "Really? You mean it?"

Tristan nodded.

"That's wonderful!"

Emily threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.

She was honestly about to lose it, barely holding back a laugh.

If only she had her phone-she'd snap a picture of Tristan right now and tease him about it with Elizabeth Wilson for weeks. She'd love to see Tristan blush that hard again.

Tristan hugged her close, a rare, contented smile breaking through as he looked down at her, every line of his face radiating satisfaction.

After a long moment, he looked up, his expression hardening once more.

"Grandpa, did you see that? This is the woman I want to marry. I don't want anyone else."

Steven Davis let out a gruff snort. "Shameless!"

But Tristan was in too good a mood to care.

"Emily brought some wine for you-why don't you take it as a little gift from your future granddaughter-in-law?"

With that, he gently pulled Emily-still choking back laughter-out of the room, lacing his fingers tightly with hers.

Once they got to the car, Emily couldn't hold it in any longer. She burst out laughing. "Tristan, you should've seen yourself back there—you were hilarious..."

She kept giggling, barely able to catch her breath, already pulling out her phone to text Elizabeth.

But Tristan reached over and snapped her phone out of her hand.

"Not everything needs to be shared, you know."

Emily stopped laughing and studied him.

For some reason, Tristan looked even grumpier than he had back in the private

room.

"What's with the face?" she asked, puzzled. "Wasn't my performance good enough? Now your grandfather thinks we're really together, and you have the perfect excuse to refuse that fiancée your family picked out."

Tristan pursed his lips, started the car with a stoic look, and drove off.

The truth was, Emily's act had been flawless.

And that annoyed Tristan―at himself, more than her.

He didn't answer her, just grunted, "What do you want to eat? My treat."

Emily's stomach growled at the mention of food. All her worries vanished. "Let's go to that brunch place we liked—the one with the dim sum.”

Sitting across from him at the restaurant, Emily popped a shrimp dumpling into her mouth and, after swallowing, leaned in with a mischievous grin. "By the way, your grandpa made that girl sound pretty great. Why'd you turn her down?"

Tristan's scowl only deepened. He grabbed a spare fork and tapped her lightly on the head. "Just eat and stop being so nosy."

Emily shot him a sidelong glance. "Oh? Hiding something, are we?"

Tristan shoved another basket of dumplings her way. "Maybe if you're busy eating, you'll finally be quiet."