hapter 11
Sophia, you got this, right? Emily asked, her eyes locked on Sophia.
Sophia had just seen that painting Honestly, she felt outclassed.
But there was something about Emily’s confidence that made her believe in herself. She would follow Emily’s advice to the word.
Yeah, I got this. I’m not afraid of a challenge, Sophia replied, standing tall.
After all, John had praised her work before, hadn’t he?
Emily smirked and turned to Bianca. “You always brag about your talent. Sophia’s ready to compete. What about you? Scared? Or maybe that painting John had wasn’t really yours?”
Bianca clenched her teeth in anger.
Emily knew exactly what was going on with that painting.
Emily had changed. She used to be so meek; a few scoldings from their parents would make her back down.
Now, she didn’t even listen to James.
“Emily, what nonsense are you spouting in front of John? Of course, that painting is Bianca’s. We all saw her in the home studio, painting all day long. Eli snapped.
James, however, kept his eyes on the painting, looking uncertain.
Bianca was extremely nervous.
Even if the family found out the truth, she believed she could smooth things over.
But she was not sure when it came to James.
He had a childhood bond with Emily, and she feared he might soften…
Bianca looked at James with tearful eyes. “James, it’s really my painting. You don’t doubt me, too, do you?”
James met Bianca’s gaze.
Her beautiful face was paired with those watery, enchanting eyes.
Only someone with such pure eyes could create such a healing and beautiful painting.
He nodded firmly. ‘Of course, I believe you.”
Emily’s heart tightened involuntarily at James’s words.
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He didn’t believe het
But be turned to Bianca with unconditional trust.
必零
He was no longer the James who used to protect her.
“Are we competing or not? If not, just admit defeat and stop wasting my time,” John, known for his bad temper, said bluntly.
Bianca clenched her fists, showing no fear on her face. “Of course, I…”
Suddenly, her face turned pale, and she seemed to have trouble breathing, her whole body going limp as she collapsed to the ground.
“Bianca!”
The Johnson family and James shouted in unison, panicking.
James quickly caught the falling Bianca, full of worry.
No one seemed to have expected this, leaving them all stunned, except for Emily.
The painting wasn’t Bianca’s, and she had been wondering how Bianca would avoid the competition.
It turned out to be the same old trick.
But for the Johnson family and James, it worked.
“What’s going on? Fainting at the mention of a competition? If she’s that weak, Mr. Williams, I don’t think she’s fit to be your student. She can’t handle the pressure, right?” Sophia said loudly, deliberately looking closer.
“Ms. Brown, watch your words. Even if you lack sympathy, you shouldn’t kick someone when they’re down,” Eli said coldly, glaring at Sophia.
Sophia, facing the head of the Johnson family, decided not to push her luck and fell silent.
“James, quickly, take Bianca to the car. She might be having an episode,” Eli urged James,
James, with a stern face, picked up the frail Bianca, looking at Emily with more displeasure.
Before leaving, James shot Emily a cold look. “Are you happy now? If something happens to her, can you take responsibility? Bianca is so kind. Why do you have to be so confrontational with her? You weren’t like this before.”
‘You were not like this before either!‘
Emily thought to herself.
But she didn’t say it out loud, knowing it was pointless.
Take responsibility?
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She suddenly blocked James’s path.
Move James didn’t expect Emily to block his way.
She really didn’t care about Bianca’s safety.
How had her thoughts become so malicious?
James’s face was cold, full of anger. If you don’t move, don’t blame me for being rude. The engagement will be off for good.”
He had already returned the token, yet he still thought she was just bluffing about breaking off the engagement.
Emily sneered, suddenly holding a few thin, sharp needles.
Then she slowly approached Bianca in James’s arms.
“What are you doing?” Eli demanded urgently.
“Taking responsibility!” Emily chuckled, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “I happen to know a bit of medicine. I can treat Bianca’s
condition.”
James dodged Emily’s needles, holding Bianca protectively.
Eli was even more agitated, and if the situation were different, he might have hit Emily.
“Are you trying to kill Bianca? You only know a bit of medicine and dare to say you can treat her? Even experts can’t cure her. Do you think you’re better than them? You’re simply malicious. Get out of the way!”
Emily gave Eli a cold look.
Her gaze fell on James’s face. “Are you sure you don’t want me to treat her? Don’t say I didn’t take responsibility later.”
James’s eyes grew deeper and more complex.
“I don’t need you to treat her!” James said coldly, then added, “I’ll have someone return the ring to you.”
With that, he left quickly with Bianca, leaving only a heartless back.
Eli glared at Emily, leaving a harsh remark, “A daughter with such a malicious heart, I’d rather not have had you. You don’t deserve to be part of the Johnson family.”
“What kind of people are they!” Sophia scoffed at Eli’s retreating figure.
She had grown up pampered and had never imagined that Emily, who had been so hard to find, would be treated like this by the Johnson family. She couldn’t help but feel sympathy and pity for Emily.
After cursing Eli, she couldn’t help but ask Emily, “Are you sure you’re the Johnson family’s daughter?”
She shut her mouth after asking.
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Compared to Bianca’s looks, Emily took after Cleo, even more striking and elegant.
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Emily didn’t dwell on Sophia’s question but looked at John. “John, thank you for today. Are you almost out of that medicine? I’ll bring you another bottle soon.”
The Johnson family only knew she had saved John.
They thought she might have just called for help or supported him.
But they didn’t know Emily had saved John with needles. If she hadn’t treated him in time, John would have died.
“Even if you don’t want to be my student, I already consider you one. No need to thank me. And…”
John paused, then continued, “That James isn’t a good person. You’re better off without him. I’ll introduce you to some fine young men with good character. And James can forget about learning from me again.”
“Okay! Emily knew John meant well and didn’t refuse.
Of course, she didn’t take the matchmaking seriously.
She agreed with the last part.
John saw Emily’s response and knew she was truly over James.
After Sophia volunteered to take Emily home, he had his assistant call James to inform him of the situation.
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