Chapter 9: The Tyrant

Chapter 9: The Tyrant

"Ryan Lin!" Emma Roberts couldn't believe her ears. "I weigh 150 pounds! So what? What's wrong with being fat? Did I eat your rice?"

Ryan Lin's expression was one of shock, as if he had seen a ghost. He quickly stood up, knocking over his chair in the process. "Emma... Emma Roberts!"

How could this be?

"Did you get plastic surgery?" Ryan asked, bewildered.

Emma was infuriated. "You're the one who got plastic surgery! This is my natural look! And where exactly am I fat? Explain yourself!"

Logan Black, who had been watching with a lazy, detached expression, now seemed momentarily stunned.

At that moment, Emma's eyes blazed with a fire he hadn't seen in a long time, filled with life and passion.

In her anger, Emma felt a cool hand gently rest on her head, as if soothing a ruffled animal. Logan's voice, soft and reassuring, whispered in her ear, "You're not fat."

Emma was taken aback, looking at Logan in surprise.

Was she losing her mind? She actually thought Logan seemed gentle...

Realizing she might have overreacted, Emma murmured awkwardly, "I'm not fat now..."

Logan replied, "You weren't fat before, either."

Ryan immediately said with a serious expression, "Logan, say that again with a clear conscience!"

Emma gritted her teeth in frustration. Logan's typically lazy, vacant expression momentarily faltered.

Then, Logan's gaze shifted lazily to Ryan. "The East Side property, I've given it to Yuan Da."

Ryan was dumbfounded. "What? Logan, you promised it to me! How could you give it to another company? Did you decide this just now?"

Logan responded, "Just now."

Ryan was livid. "You tyrant!"

Logan didn't deny it. Instead, he seemed to accept the title with a calm demeanor, saying, "You should leave. You're in the way."

Not only was he a tyrant, but he was also prioritizing women over his friends, actually saying Ryan was in the way.

Heartbroken, Ryan left in tears.

After Ryan left, the room was filled with just Emma and Logan. Without Ryan's presence, Emma's previously relaxed nerves tensed up again, and Logan's presence felt overwhelmingly dominant.

"Eat more." A piece of her favorite breakfast dumpling appeared on her plate.

Emma had mixed feelings. Since she arrived, Logan had shown no particular reaction to her transformation. Ryan's reaction was more typical, right?

Unable to hold back, Emma asked, "Logan, don't you think I look different today?"

Logan added another shrimp dumpling to her plate, "What?"

Emma: "My appearance!"

Logan raised an eyebrow, "Any difference?"

Emma was speechless: "…"

Was this man blind?

Seeing her darkened expression, Logan looked at her nonchalantly, saying, "Still just as appetizing."

Emma was stunned. Did he really find her previous ghastly look appetizing and see no difference now? She sighed inwardly, realizing that Logan's perception of beauty was as mysterious as he was.

Deciding to change the subject, Emma mustered her courage and said, "Logan, it's almost time for exams. I need to study. Can I go back to school?"

The air in the room seemed to chill instantly. Logan's expression turned cold, and Emma's heart sank. She had anticipated his reaction but hoped for a different outcome. Seeing her disappointment, Logan's face softened slightly.

He studied her for a long moment, then said, "Fine. But don't think about running away."

Emma's eyes widened in surprise. She had expected outright refusal. "Thank you," she whispered, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and determination.

Logan's gaze lingered on her, a silent warning in his eyes. Emma knew she had to be careful, but she was determined to make the most of this second chance. She would find a way to balance her studies and her complicated relationship with Logan. She had a lot to learn and even more to prove, but for the first time, she felt a spark of hope.

As the day progressed, Emma found herself working with the gardeners and servants to transform the garden. She had asked Logan for permission to make some changes, and surprisingly, he had agreed. She replaced the expensive, delicate plants with sunflowers and vegetables, creating a practical and beautiful space.

Watching the garden take shape, Emma felt a sense of accomplishment. She was reclaiming her life, one small step at a time. The road ahead was long and fraught with challenges, but she was ready to face them.

As night fell, Emma stood by the window, looking out at the garden. She knew her journey was just beginning, but with determination and a bit of luck, she believed she could change her destiny.

Logan joined her, his presence both comforting and intimidating. "You've made a lot of changes today," he remarked, his voice low and steady.

Emma nodded. "I want to make this place feel like home."

Logan's gaze softened, and for a moment, Emma saw a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "Just remember, Emma. You're mine. Don't ever forget that."

Emma looked at him, meeting his gaze with newfound strength. "I won't forget, Logan. But I'm also my own person. Don't ever forget that."

Logan's lips curled into a slight smile. "I look forward to seeing what you do next."

Emma smiled back, feeling a strange sense of camaraderie with the man who had once been her captor. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to face it head-on, with Logan by her side or against him. Either way, she would find her own path.