The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 672

Daniella's cheeks were still red from the embarrassment of her bold confession, which had been met with a rather sobering lecture. All she could muster was a muffled "Hmph," as she tried to hide her discomfort.

On her way back from a bathroom break, Daniella hesitated as she passed Emerson. Then, she stopped, quickly planting a peck on his cheek.

Emerson was left speechless.

By the time Daniella sat back down, grinning from ear to ear, she knew she had to seize the moment. After all, she had laid her feelings bare today, so why not go all in?

"Do you like me?" Emerson asked, locking eyes with Daniella.

Fiddling with her spoon in the tiramisu, Daniella smiled coyly, choosing to keep her thoughts to herself.

For a young woman, having her crush uncovered was an ordeal in shyness.

"Yeah, about that bid—keep it on your radar," Daniella said, changing the subject.

"Oh," Emerson's voice deflated, his enthusiasm waning.

It dawned on him that her kiss was probably more about business than affection, and the realization bored him.

After a lengthy silence, Emerson spoke up, "This bid is mostly by-the-book. There are a bunch of drone manufacturers out there, big players. And it's not like I have the final say on the bidding."

Daniella looked up, a mix of helplessness and a sense of betrayal flickering across her face, "And I already kissed you?"

"Do you think a kiss is that valuable?" Emerson replied with a touch of coldness.

"What about... sleeping with you?" Daniella was well aware of Emerson's impressive physique. She, like many modern women, was unapologetic about her desires, and it showed in her eyes, in her demeanor.

Ronan was in high spirits, probably because Cordelia had returned from Millstone College that day. Now with Cordelia off to shower, he lounged on the living room couch.

"Brother, it's your company, aren't you taking the bid seriously? Treating it like some kind of game?" Emerson was growing irritated with Ronan's amusement.

"The bid was a set-up for Daniella from the start."

"I don't like it! I plan to handle this bid professionally and I'm leaning towards choosing Big Mountain Drones. They have the scale and the power."

"I went through all this trouble for you, and this is what I get?" Ronan replied, sounding annoyed.

"Yes." Emerson responded tersely, his pride getting the better of him.