After dinner, William Sullivan thought it over and once again went to Emily Smith's cabin. He couldn't help it—Emily Smith was the first woman in this world to truly move his heart, his first love. William Sullivan really didn't want to end up leaving only the impression of a lecher in her mind.

Thinking about it, he blamed Charles Bennett as well. If, when he first met Miss Smith, he hadn't truly believed she would become his woman, he wouldn't have been so prone to wild fantasies upon seeing her, nor would his twenty years of cultivation have been ruined in an instant, making him act like a lustful demon in her presence.

But unexpectedly, Emily Smith did not greet him with a frosty face. She even poured him a cup of tea.

"Miss Smith..." William Sullivan had just started to speak when Emily Smith raised her hand to stop him, calmly saying, "Young Master Sullivan, please let me speak first."

William Sullivan had no choice but to swallow his words, holding the teacup and looking at her. Seeing her solemn expression, he wondered if she was about to break off all ties with him.

"Young Master Sullivan has shown me a kindness as great as the sky, risking your life to rescue Emily Brooks's brother. It may even bring disaster upon your own family in the future. Young Master has also shown Emily Brooks every care and consideration. People are not made of wood—who can be without feelings? By rights, whether you are Han or Manchu, Emily Brooks ought to repay your great virtue. But such immense kindness, Emily Brooks truly has nothing to offer in return but this frail body. It's not that Emily Brooks is being coy—what is so precious about me? With your family background, countless noble ladies are waiting for you, yet Emily Brooks cannot repay even a fraction of your kindness. But if Young Master truly loves me, Emily Brooks has nothing more to say."

William Sullivan was stunned again and again, seeing Emily Smith's serious face—it was clear she wasn't joking.

Emily Smith let out a gentle sigh. "It's just that I feel sorry for Brother Turner, that I cannot remain chaste for him and have no face to see him in the afterlife."

She glanced at William Sullivan and continued, "Emily Brooks can give herself to Young Master right now!"

Emily Smith's expression was calm, but in her heart, she had already made up her mind. He truly had shown her a kindness greater than the sky, but she feared it was just a ploy by Young Master to get what he wanted.

But Emily Smith was a hero of her time, decisive and bold, quick to repay kindness and enmity alike. When had she ever suffered the humiliation of nearly being pinned down by a man—especially when this guy had made such a fool of himself at the time! Now, because she owed him a great debt, she had to endure this insult and be teased by him repeatedly. How could she face Brother Turner?

Emily Smith made up her mind on the spot: rather than continue to be at the mercy of this brat, which would leave Brother Turner restless even in the afterlife, and since she owed this brat a great debt, so be it. As long as her conscience was clear, what did it matter if her body was sullied? Since everything this brat did was for her body, she would just give it to him, let him enjoy himself for a few days, and once they reached Shanghai and her brother and the others were safe, she would kill this brat with a single stroke, then take her own life to repay him.

In this way, she would have done right by this brat, wouldn't she? She only felt sorry for Brother Turner, but there was nothing to be done. From now on, she would no longer be Mrs. Turner. She would rather be thought of as fickle than let Brother Turner suffer humiliation in the afterlife.

William Sullivan had no idea what Emily Smith was thinking, but he was left speechless for quite a while. The mindset of ancient women was truly strange, and he couldn't keep up with her train of thought. Only after a long moment did he finally understand what she meant.

What? Repay kindness with her body?

William Sullivan's heart skipped a beat. He watched as Emily Smith's fair little hand slowly moved toward her waist sash, her body wrapped in red silk, alluring and enchanting, her skin like ice and snow, noble and untouchable, yet she was making such a nosebleed-inducing move. William Sullivan's throat went dry, his eyes almost shining, but then he suddenly jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"Wait! Wait!" William Sullivan waved his hands frantically, shouting, "Wait, Miss Smith, if you keep this up, I'm leaving!"

Emily Smith was slightly taken aback, her starry eyes looking at him in confusion.

William Sullivan's heart was pounding wildly as he tried to suppress the sudden surge of desire. He forced a bitter smile and said, "Miss Smith, yes, since we're being honest, I'll be frank too—I do have feelings for you. But how should I put it? Affection needs to be cultivated slowly. If you don't like me, why force it?"

After a pause, William Sullivan continued, "I appreciate your kindness. How about this: since you don't mind, from now on, you'll be considered part of the The Sullivan Family—let's call it, let's call it an engagement. That way, you've repaid your debt. If you ask me, I think your feelings for Brother Turner are just respect, not romantic love. With the title of The Sullivan Family daughter-in-law, it might help you get over your inner demons. In the future, if you really meet someone you love, we can call off the engagement. What do you think?"

He added with a smile, "Since you didn't object, it's settled then!"

Emily Smith never expected this brat to respond like this, rambling on until it somehow became an engagement? Part of the The Sullivan Family? And with all his nonsense about inner demons and true love—it was utterly baffling.

William Sullivan smiled again and said, "Besides, who knows, maybe one day you'll fall for me, William Sullivan. When that time comes, we can make it real. If you're willing to cut ties with the Heaven and Earth Society, I'll send eight sedan chairs to carry you through the door. If not, we'll just have to keep it a secret."

Seeing Emily Smith's elegant brows knit together again, William Sullivan quickly said, "I still have things to do, so I'll take my leave!"