Chapter 38
“What?” Violette was stunned.
She’d only heard that Emily had been mistreated at the Johnson Villa and had moved out. She had no clue the engagement was off.
As for James, he hadn’t reached out to Emily in the past few days. The Smith family had been dealing with some drama, keeping him busy, Plus, he wanted to give Emily some space, hoping she’d calm down, realize her mistake, and apologize to him.
Instead of hearing from Emily, he got a call from Bianca.
“James, sorry to bother you. I’d like to know if Emily’s been with you these past few days? Bianca’s voice sounded shaky, like she’d been crying.
Mentioning Emily, James’s expression turned icy. But hearing Bianca’s distress, his coldness melted into concern.
“What did she do now? And Bianca, what’s wrong? Did someone mess with you? Was it Emily?” James’s first thought was that Emily had done something wrong. How else could someone as sweet as Bianca be upset?
Bianca quickly denied it. “No, James, Emily didn’t bully me. I’m just worried about her. She seems to have misunderstood me deeply. Because of me, she broke Hayden’s leg and had a falling out with or dad, storming off in anger, I don’t know where she went. I thought she might come to you.”
James’s expression shifted. If Emily had run away a few days ago, she might’ve gone to the house filled with their memories. But that house had burned down. Where could she go? A young woman, out all night! Just the thought of it made James’s face darken.
He didn’t mention that Emily hadn’t contacted him, but his voice clearly carried displeasure. “I can’t believe she hurt Hayden. How has she become so terrible?”
Honestly, James found it hard to believe Emily would do such a thing. He knew how much Emily cared about the Johnson family. She had hardly experienced familial love growing up and yearned for it deeply.
Bianca noticed James’s defense of Emily, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. It seemed James still had feelings for Emily. She immediately apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to speak ill of Emily. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t believe it either. Maybe it’s all my fault.
“This afternoon, she claimed she knew medicine and started treating people recklessly. I was worried she might get into trouble and tried to advise her. She misunderstood me and got so angry that she took it out on Hayden and the others.”
“So, James, I want to ask you for help. Can you persuade Emily not to be mad at the family? If she doesn’t like me, I’m willing to stay away from the house, as long as she comes back, apologizes to her parents, and returns to the Johnson Villa. I’ll be fine.”
Bianca’s retreating strategy made James feel incredibly sympathetic. “Bianca, how could this be your fault? It’s her narrow-mindedness. You were only trying to help her. With her limited medical skills, treating people could be harmful.”
James didn’t doubt Bianca’s words at all. He even thought she was too kind. Emily was simply being unreasonable. She had learned a little and dared to treat people.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she apologizes to you and Hayden personally,” James promised solemnly.
Bianca got the reaction she wanted. She continued, “James, can I make a request? I want to go with you to see Emily. I don’t know where she went after leaving the Johnson Villa. I’m really worried about her and want to persuade her to come back.”
“Alright, once I find her, I’ll take you to bring her home,” James agreed after some thought.
Bianca’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
After checking on Bianca’s well-being, James hung up and immediately dialed Emily’s number.
Emily was in her study, organizing materials for her transfer tomorrow. Without looking at the caller ID, she answered the phone.
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Chapter 38
“Emily, where are you right now? A young woman out all night, what does that look like? And Bianca was only worried you might harm someone with your limited medical skills. You didn’t appreciate her concern and even blamed her, taking it out on the Johnson family. You should know, our engagement was because you were part of the Johnson family. Otherwise, with your past of scavenging, you wouldn’t be worthy of being engaged to me.”
As soon as the call connected, James’s scolding came through.
Once, she had been forced to scavenge to survive. James had only pitied her. Now, it had become something he used to attack her.
The James who had defended her had changed, without her knowing when.
Emily responded coldly, “You’re just listening to Bianca’s side of the story, aren’t you? Since you believe her, don’t bother me anymore.”
“Emily! James’s face darkened. “You’re being unreasonable. The engagement involves both families, but if you continue like this, I’ll tell my family to cut ties with the Johnson family. Then you’ll have no way out.”
She must know that the families have joint projects and interests, which is why she dared to be so reckless. Yes, that must be it! Even after returning the engagement tokens, she is not worried.’
“Those interests benefit the Johnson family, not me. And since we returned the engagement tokens, we have no relationship anymore. Don’t contact me again. We have nothing to do with each other.”
James was living in his own world, unable to understand her words.
Emily hung up, blocked his number, and moved on without hesitation.
James heard the busy tone. This was the umpteenth time she had dared to hang up on him. She had never done this before! It seemed she was really angry this time. She hadn’t mentioned her whereabouts!
James thought about it. If she was foolish enough to be easily deceived, he was just concerned for her. He decided to call her again.
The first time he called, he heard a mechanical voice. He thought she was genuinely on another call. But after a while, he called again and still heard the mechanical voice. James realized she had blocked him!
Emily, you really have some nerve!’
James’s face darkened, his eyes filled with anger. He immediately called his assistant. “Find out where Emily is staying, right now!”
The assistant sensed the coldness in James’s voice and quickly responded, “Yes, sir!”
After hanging up, the assistant immediately arranged for an investigation.
Meanwhile, Emily was unaware of the commotion, but it did alert Daniel.
“Mr. Smith, someone is looking into Ms. Johnson,” Daniel’s assistant, Miguel Jimenez, reported promptly.
Especially since Emily’s apartment had been sold through Daniel’s company, James’s assistant’s investigation triggered Daniel’s security system.
“Who exactly?” Daniel’s expression remained calm, but his aura turned icy.
Miguel knew this was a sign of Daniel’s anger. “It’s James, Miguel replied truthfully.
Daniel’s brows furrowed slightly, his voice cold and detached. “He’s too idle. Give him something to do. Assign him the resort project.”
“Yes, sir,” Miguel responded calmly, though he felt a shiver inside. It wasn’t that Daniel was generously giving James a project. The resort project was good, but it had many pitfalls. Without sufficient skill, it would be a total disaster.
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