Emma shrugged slightly, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint as she faced Ricard. "Ricard, you're underestimating me again," she said, her voice soft but full of challenge. "I'm not some naive little doe. I'm in business just like you, and parties like these are nothing new to me."
Ricard didn't blink, his gaze cold with a hint of mockery.
"Underestimating you?"
He paused before continuing, "So, is flirting and drinking with those men your way of doing business? Don't you find it degrading?"
Emma tilted her head slightly, her red lips curving into a faint smile. "Of course not! Don't you think so?"
Her response only fueled Ricard's anger. Without hesitation, he grabbed Emma's wrist and pulled her close. The strength in his hand startled her, but Emma remained calm, her eyes glittering with defiance.
"You don't understand, Emma," Ricard said, his voice low and stern. "Those men aren't what you think. They'll do whatever it takes to get what they want. They won't hesitate to use any means to exploit you from getting you drunk, coercing, threatening, to destroying your reputation in the business world. They won't stop until you're nothing but their plaything."
Emma sensed the tension in Ricard's words, but instead of fear, she felt amusement. She chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with provocation. "Do you think I don't know that, Ricard? I'm not a doll that can be easily manipulated, you can rest assured."
Ricard stared straight into her eyes, anger and concern etched on his face. "Emma, stop with this lowly behavior."
But Emma didn't back down. She raised an eyebrow, her red lips curling into a playful smile. "I think I'm doing just fine in this world, Ricard. It seems like you're the one who's overly worried."
Ricard could no longer bear it. He yanked Emma closer, almost pressing her against him. "I don't have time to play this game with you, Emma. You won't heed my warnings, but I won't let you push yourself into danger."
To Emma's surprise, Ricard didn't say another word, pulling her out of the hall. His strides were swift and forceful, leaving Emma with little time to react. She was dragged out of the party, through the luxurious hotel corridors. They stepped into an elevator, and Ricard pressed the close button without hesitation.
In the confined space of the elevator, Ricard still didn't let go, gripping Emma's wrist as if afraid she'd escape at any moment. Despite being slightly tipsy, Emma could feel the intensity in his actions. She looked directly at Ricard, her eyes still filled with defiance but tinged with a bit of helplessness.
"Ricard, what are you doing?" Emma asked, her voice slightly weakened but still laced with challenge.
"Getting you out of here before you do something foolish," Ricard replied, his tone unwavering.
Emma giggled, her lips curling into an alluring smile. "Are you afraid I'll do something foolish, Ricard? Or are you afraid you won't be able to control yourself?"
Ricard looked at her, his eyes conflicted, but there was no sign of him letting go. "Emma, stop provoking me. You don't know what you're playing with."
Emma simply looked at him, the stubbornness evident on her face. But Ricard didn't allow her to continue; he pulled her closer, his gaze more serious than ever. "You may think you're in control, but I guarantee you have no idea of the dangers waiting for you. That Meller guy is not a good man!"
Suddenly, without saying a word, Emma leaned into Ricard's arms. "Ricard, why are you holding my hand so tightly?" she whispered, her voice soft but laced with teasing. "Aren't you afraid your fiancée will get mad if she sees?"
Ricard was startled, immediately pushing Emma away, but she still wouldn't relent. She leaned closer again, her playful hands grabbing his tie, toying with it as if challenging his limits. Her eyes sparkled mischievously, and her red lips whispered provocative words, making the atmosphere in the elevator even more stifling.
Ricard tried to maintain his composure, but he couldn't help but feel the sudden closeness between them. "Emma, don't do this," he said, his voice cold but clearly masking his inner turmoil.
But Emma wasn't going to let him off that easily. She tilted her head, her bright eyes locking onto his, one hand still holding his tie, pulling it closer as if to create more intimacy between them.
Suddenly, she loosened her grip, and a small earring slipped from her ear, seemingly by accident but actually on purpose. The earring fell right into Ricard's chest pocket, nestled there without him realizing it.
Emma chuckled softly, withdrawing her hand and gently smoothing his tie, her eyes still holding that mischievous and cunning gleam. "It seems we'll be seeing each other again, Ricard," she whispered, the smile on her lips growing more pronounced.
Ricard looked at her, an internal struggle playing out between reason and emotion. He knew he shouldn't get caught up in her game, but Emma's presence made it hard to pull away.
The elevator stopped, and Ricard finally released Emma, his gaze still wary. But Emma just smiled, stepping out of the elevator with a graceful walk, leaving Ricard standing there, with the small earring in his pocket as a reminder that she had left a part of herself with him. Emma's game was clearly far from over, and Ricard knew he had been drawn into a more dangerous game than ever.
Ricard looked at her for a long moment and called out, "You're playing with fire!"
Up ahead, Emma's lips curved slightly. Everything was still going according to plan.
Ricard's vehement opposition today only showed that he was deeply concerned about her.