I don't have time to play.

Richard took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket before drawing a cigarette out of it. He lit it up, but he merely let it burn without taking a puff. 

"You will get the title of Mrs Williams after the marriage. You can take advantage of the title and do anything you want."

Laura was getting annoyed now. "President Williams, I don't have time to play this kind of game with you—"

Richard stared fixedly at her all of a sudden, his eyes chilly. "Why do you think that I'm joking or just playing around with you?" 

"I don't love you, so why should I be together with you?" Laura snapped.

"Who do you love then? Damon Adams? Well, he's your brother-in-law now." Richard exposed the truth mercilessly.

Laura's face turned pale at once. "Don't think I have to marry you just because you saved me. We're in the 21st century, not the feudal era!"

Laura felt exhausted when she came back home. After a shower, she curled up in bed under the blanket without even drying her hair.

Richard Williams doesn't seem like a simple guy. Why he was so serious?

Amidst her muddled mind, Laura recalled the period when she first started dating Damon. He once held her under the bridge in front of Mariana Bay Sands. He kissed her forehead tenderly and lovingly under the stars while promising her that he'd love her with all his heart.

Laura cried and laughed simultaneously; she wasn't sure when, but she fell asleep somehow.

---------

"Photocopy these documents for me. Rearrange the data and hand them to me when you're done. And you do not have to attend the meeting today with the BABEL. I will give you a call once I have discussed the matter with the BABEL" Hailey said.

Laura accepted the folders from Hailey while tightening her grip, keeping quiet as she made her way to the photocopying machine.

Laura left for the elevator and then pressed the button with an arrow that was pointing upward. Soon enough, the doors of the elevator opened with a chime when they arrived at the ground floor.

Laura slightly glanced at the two persons in front of her. Her expression shifted into one of indifference when she ignored them and stepped out of the elevator. The sight of Clarissa and Damon being all lovey-dovey was a sore sight for eyes.

She frowned when her phone rang and saw the ID.

"Hello?"

"Laura! I think I left my Flash Drive where I saved the presentation I was about to demonstrate to President Williams. It's on my table. Bring it right now." Hailey sounds anxious.

Laura's brows knitted tightly together with unhappy expressions "Okay....."

When Laura entered the Director's office, Hailey, who was still inside, stared at her in displeasure.

After giving the Flash Drive Laura made a move, as though she was about to leave.

"The meeting will start now. Please take a seat, Miss Fuller." Austin asserted.

Laura slowly took a seat. She looked at the man who was sitting at the head of the table.

The sunlight that shone through the full-length windows set off his facial features and made them appear even more prominent. His long legs were crossed as he looked at the two design drafts in front of him lazily.

It's no wonder women are always throwing themselves at him like hungry wolves. The man in front of me has the potential for causing trouble.

"I have confirmed that the design drafts from the DONB are not plagiarized work," Richard announced.

Hailey burst into laughter; it was almost as if she was trying to attract Richard's attention again.

Laura couldn't help but snicker silently watching Hailey.

---------

Aria immersed herself in eating the crab, setting aside her uncertainties and worries, which she should not make important at all.

Vinson's lips curled down with dislike as he said, "You're a woman, but you eat like a starved prisoner. Any man would be frightened by your poor table manners."

"I'm sorry. I'm just too hungry" Aria said.

Sophia rubbed her apron and said, "Vinson, I will leave for the New Year tomorrow. My sons and daughter-in-law are all waiting for me at home. But I'll be back the day after the Lunar New Year's day."

Laura pulled a long face and asked, "Who will cook my dinner after you left?."

Sophia thought for a moment and said, "Sophia can cook for you. She cooks well."

Vinson immediately put down his chopsticks and sneered while saying, "Don't bother! I'll just call a restaurant and ask them to deliver food."

Aria wiped her mouth, smiled abruptly and said,  "I'll cook for you. Some of the food from restaurants are unhygienic."

"You know nothing but to eat. You're like some kind of animal that knows only how to eat and drink," Vinson said coldly and scornfully.

"I won't have the strength to work if I can't get enough to eat," Aria responded while blinking her innocent eyes.

"I was teasing you, don't you get it?" Vinson asked.

"Uh...I don't get it." Aria chuckled.

Sophia's eyes gleamed, then her gaze flitting between Vinson and Aria.