My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 488

Given the tangled mess of history between them—so complicated she’d long since lost count—no matter how Emily answered, it would steer the conversation somewhere she had no interest in revisiting.

She offered a light, practiced smile. “Mr. Lane, I don’t think that’s relevant to what we’re discussing today. May I choose not to answer?”

Andrew Lane pressed further. “For any company that could become an I&A partner, I want to be sure there are no issues—personal or otherwise. If there are, even relationship problems, it could affect I&A’s reputation.”

“So,” he asked, “are you sure it’s not relevant?”

Emily’s fingers curled slightly, her smile unwavering. “Mr. Lane, I can assure you my personal life will never interfere with business. Besides, even if you doubt me now, all I can do is say the words; whether you believe me is another matter. Why not wait until we decide to move forward, and then do your own due diligence?”

For a long moment, Andrew said nothing. He simply lowered his gaze, watching the ripples in his cup of tea.

Emily drew a quiet breath.

Her words had, in their own subtle way, slapped him in the face—not hard, but unmistakably so.

After all, she was the one coming to him for a favor, hoping he’d be willing to sell her the Black & White Rabbit game rights. Right now, she had no choice but to tread carefully, to give him face.

She started to smooth things over. “Although we haven’t had the chance to meet before, I’ve always heard I&A has done remarkably well under your leadership, Mr. Lane—”

“Emily Blair.”

He cut her off, voice suddenly cold.

Andrew lifted his gaze, dark eyes narrowed. “Has anyone ever told you your smile looks fake?”

Her smile faltered. “What are you implying, Mr. Lane?”

He pushed his cup forward with a single finger, his gaze sharp. “If you don’t want to smile, don’t. If you don’t want to talk, don’t force yourself.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

“Emily Blair, I’ve never liked forcing people to do anything.”

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