Chapter 51: The Unexpected Encounter

Chapter 51: The Unexpected Encounter

Emily stared at the message, her brows lifting slightly. Meeting up now? Wasn't that just asking for more trouble? At a time like this, it would be wiser to avoid any unnecessary attention.

Emily: **[Not a good idea. A lot of people are watching you right now, and getting caught together wouldn't be good.]**

Ryan didn't reply immediately. After a few moments, his response finally came through:

**[I know it's not the best time to meet…]**

Emily sighed and typed out a response, her fingers hovering over the send button: **[If it's important, we can talk here on WeChat.]** Before she could send it, another message popped up from Ryan:

**[How about this: I'll wait near your studio. Whenever you're done, we can meet, okay?]**

Emily: **"…"**

He knew it wasn't the right time to meet, so his solution was to wait for her anyway? What kind of logic was that?

Emily pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before responding: **[I'm meeting someone at Club Seven this afternoon to discuss a project. If you're available, you can come by later. Your new poster just came out, and I can show it to you.]**

Club Seven was an exclusive, high-end venue with strict privacy controls. It was highly unlikely that anyone would be able to snap any compromising photos there.

Ryan quickly replied with a simple **[Okay.]**

At 6 PM, as soon as Emily finished her work meeting, Ryan arrived. He was dressed inconspicuously, with a baseball cap pulled low over his signature almond-shaped eyes and straight nose, and a gray mask covering his refined jawline. Despite his efforts to stay incognito, the air of celebrity and the charisma surrounding him were unmistakable.

Emily watched as Ryan followed the attendant through the hallway, slipping into the private room with a fluid, almost ghostly grace.

Ryan removed his hat and mask, his gaze immediately locking onto Emily. His almond-shaped eyes, naturally alluring, seemed to sparkle with an almost hypnotic intensity as they focused on her.

Under his steady gaze, Emily felt a bit uneasy. She pushed a steaming cup of tea toward him. "So, what did you want to talk about?"

Ryan lowered his long lashes, remaining silent for a few moments.

"Sorry."

His voice was unique, clear and resonant, like a pebble dropping into a deep well.

"I didn't expect this situation to drag you in as well. I'm sorry."

Emily shook her head and chuckled softly. "It's not your fault. None of us saw this coming."

She took a sip of her tea, her mind drifting back to what Ethan had said to her: that being in this industry meant she would inevitably be entangled in controversies, whether she wanted to be or not.

"I've mostly got things handled on my end. But you..." Emily glanced at him, her voice tinged with concern. "You've got countless eyes on you right now."

She scanned the room, letting out a soft sigh. "It might be better if we keep our interactions strictly professional for the time being. We need to be cautious. The last thing we need is for the map controversy to die down, only for the rumor mill to pick up again..."

At the mention of rumors, Ryan's expression faltered slightly, his usually confident demeanor tinged with frustration.

"The statement denying that my new song was about you… was that the company's decision," Ryan asked cautiously, his eyes searching hers for a deeper meaning, "or was it yours?"

Before the map scandal erupted, Ryan had been locked in a standoff with his agent. TrueArt Media was furious that he had gotten caught up in a scandal during a crucial promotional period and demanded that he immediately deny that the new song was written for Emily.

Ryan's response had been the same as when he confronted Ethan: It wasn't a scandal.

As the embattled idol tried to navigate the situation with his company, the bombshell news about the map broke...

Despite nearly a decade in the industry, Ryan had faced his fair share of storms, yet he remained composed throughout the map controversy. But when he saw Emily's tweet denying their relationship, he was shaken.

He had deliberately chosen not to clarify, hoping she would understand...

"It was the company's decision," Emily responded, seemingly unaware of the underlying tension in Ryan's question. "But they did ask me if it was okay, and I didn't see a problem with it."

Ryan's eyes dimmed.

Seeing the change in his expression, Emily tilted her head in confusion. "Is there a problem? How are you planning to address the rumors?"

Ryan was silent for a few moments, his eyes downcast before he suddenly looked up at her.

"I don't plan on denying it."

Emily blinked. "What?"

Ryan's jaw clenched, his handsome face tightening with resolve, and his eyes burned with a fierce determination.

"Because it's not a rumor. That song was written for you."

Emily's eyes widened in shock.

She had suspected as much, but hearing him say it out loud still stunned her.

"You..."

Ryan took a deep breath. "Alisa, the truth is I—"

The phone on the table buzzed loudly, cutting him off.

Emily picked it up. "One second."

Ryan glanced at the screen and caught a glimpse of a dog icon.

Emily moved to the window, answering the call. Ethan's familiar voice resonated through the phone.

"Have you had dinner?"

Emily responded with a soft "Mm," her hand subconsciously rubbing her empty stomach.

"I already ate."

Ever since Ethan had caught her skipping lunch and eating cold salad, he had arranged for hot meals to be delivered to her daily. The food was prepared by chefs from the Starry Pavilion, tailored to her preferences, and always varied. He even insisted that the delivery person watch her start eating before they left.

Her ex-husband was definitely acting like a concerned father more than a boss.

"You're not at the studio. Are you home?"

He must have called because the meal delivery couldn't find her.

Emily hummed again. "I'm at Club Seven, discussing work."

"You have a photoshoot tonight, right?"

"Yes." Emily glanced at her watch. "I'll head over soon."

"I'll come to pick you up."

Before Emily could protest, the line went dead, leaving her with no opportunity to decline.

She sighed softly, gazing out the window at the deepening night. The streetlights outside the estate cast various hues of light across the snow, painting the white landscape with different shades.

The scene reminded her of the night Ethan had waited outside her door, standing in the snow until his hair was dusted white... She shook her head, smiling faintly at the memory.

When she turned around, she found Ryan watching her, his expression complicated, his eyes swirling with unspoken emotions.

Emily hesitated for a moment. "Oh, you were saying?"

Ryan stared at her for a few more seconds before his mouth twisted into a strained smile.

"Nothing, really."

"Oh," Emily replied, feeling the awkwardness in the air as she reopened her laptop and started discussing work-related matters.

After a while, she glanced at her watch. "I have a photoshoot soon."

"The car commercial? At the Xiangquan Base?"

Emily looked surprised. "How did you know?"

"I heard they were planning to film an explosion. They usually do those at Xiangquan."

Emily nodded. "Yes, that's right."

She had never shot a car commercial before, and this particular brand was a well-known luxury car manufacturer. They specifically requested a cinematic effect, including a practical explosion scene, which required shooting on location.

"I also have a night scene there," Ryan said, picking up his coat. "I'll drive you."

Emily looked hesitant. "That's not necessary."

Ryan glanced out the window. "It's dark."

He paused. "I drove here. It's a new car, and the media doesn't know it's mine yet. No one will take pictures."

Emily thought for a moment before offering him a resigned smile. "The car picking me up is probably already here. How about you come along?"

**

Ryan had expected Emily to call a regular car service, but he was caught off guard when he saw the vehicle waiting at the club's entrance.

A Cayenne? As a hired car?

Seeing the tall figure standing beside the Cayenne, Ryan slowed his steps.

Ethan's brows twitched slightly when he saw Ryan. His black eyes then shifted to Emily with a somber gaze.

Emily remained calm, offering a brief explanation. "We were discussing work."

Ethan looked like he wanted to ask more, but in the end, he said nothing.

Ryan walked over and greeted Ethan with a polite nod before reaching out to open the back door for Emily.

As soon as his hand touched the door handle, Ethan subtly stepped forward, blocking his way.

"Sit in the front," Ethan said, his tone unmistakably authoritative.

Ryan glanced at Emily. "I'll be more visible in the front."

Ethan's expression darkened. "She always sits with me in the back."

The tension between the two men grew thick, even more so than during their previous encounter in front of the elevator.

Emily watched the two men face off, her mouth twisting in exasperation. "Hey—"

But it was as if neither man heard her.

Ignoring her presence, they continued their silent standoff, their conversation taking a childish turn.

Ethan even went so far as to say, "This is my car," to which Ryan responded by pulling out his car keys. "Then how about we take my car?"

As the immature argument unfolded, Emily suddenly strode over to the passenger side, opened the door, and swiftly climbed in.

Both Ethan and Ryan froze, staring at her in bewilderment.

"I'll

sit in the front." Emily's voice was dry. "You two can share the backseat."

Ethan: **"..."**

Ryan: **"..."**

The two men exchanged a look of silent frustration before each opened a door and got in.

The black Cayenne pulled away smoothly, the interior filled with an uneasy silence.

Ethan and Ryan both turned their heads to stare out their respective windows, with at least three Emily-sized spaces between them.

Emily leaned back in her seat, lost in thought, until she felt a gentle tug on her sleeve.

She turned to see a neatly dressed man in a gray suit holding out a carefully crafted wooden lunchbox.

Emily blinked, taken aback, as she met Ethan's deep gaze.

She whispered, "How did you know...?"

Ethan smiled softly. "When do I not know?"

Though his words held a hint of reproach, his magnetic voice made them sound tender and affectionate.

After handing her the lunchbox, Ethan settled back into his seat, his long legs casually crossed. He shot a quick, almost imperceptible glance at Ryan.

Ryan showed no reaction, his gaze still fixed on the passing scenery outside, though his perfectly sculpted brows furrowed slightly.

**

The slight delay meant that by the time they arrived at the shoot, all the crew members were already in place.

Ethan hesitated when he learned that Emily would be filming an explosion scene, but he didn't voice any objections. Instead, he had a professional team provide additional support and allocated extra funds for a test explosion. By now, the pyrotechnicians, smoke effects experts, emergency medical team, and fire trucks were all ready.

The pyrotechnician had just completed two test explosions and was now marking the detonation points while communicating with the model. Emily stood nearby, reviewing the plan with them.

Ethan's gaze shifted away from her to where Ryan was standing, his expression hardening.

Ryan hadn't left. He was standing behind the pyrotechnician and Emily, bending down to inspect the equipment and wiring. After a moment, his refined features took on a hesitant expression.

He straightened up and said a few words to the pyrotechnician before turning to leave.

"Is there a problem?" Ethan asked as Ryan approached.

Ryan shook his head. "No, the process and safety measures are solid."

He paused, his brows knitting slightly. "But they're using a powder-based propellant."

Ethan frowned. "What?"

"When I've filmed scenes with fire, the technicians usually use gel-based propellants," Ryan explained, his tone thoughtful.

Ethan's frown deepened. "And the powder-based propellant is less safe?"

Ryan shook his head again. "No, it's a legitimate device. But the gel-based propellant is safer. It wouldn't cause harm even if it detonated in your hand. The powder-based propellant they're using has a stronger explosive force—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a loud shout rang out nearby: "Watch out!"

Ryan's breath caught in his throat as his gaze shot to Emily, who was standing near the detonation point.

"Alisa!"

Before he could react, a tall figure darted in front of him.

The surrounding area erupted into chaos.

"Chairman Harrison!"