Chapter 8

Emily leaned in and asked, "Hey gorgeous, wanna have some fun?"

The folks inside weren't nearly as good-looking as John.

James, clearly annoyed, shoved Emily away with a cold glare, letting her see him clearly.

Emily, undeterred, leaned into James, teasing him with hands wandering over his body, pushing him into a corner.

With a playful tone, she said, "You're selling yourself, but acting all shy.How much for a night? Ten grand, a hundred grand, or a million?"

James raised an eyebrow.

Emily got the hint. "A million bucks, huh? I can swing that."

James was a looker, and he was amazing in bed. Emily woke up to a chaotic scene, with their clothes and her pristine wedding dress all over the place.

She was stunned. She had planned to leave some money and go, but seeing James' face made her change her mind.

If John could hook up with Veda on their wedding day, Emily figured she didn't need to stay pure for him. So when James woke up, Emily, trying to hide her nerves, sat on the edge of the bed and said, "I know you male waiters don't make much in a night.How about sticking with me from now on?" James stayed silent. Emily pressed on, "Would you rather charge per visit or by the hour?"James kept his mouth shut.

Emily calmly added, "Whatever you want-cars,houses,money-I can give it to you."

Finally,James nodded. For the next three years, Emily kept James at Crystal Valley Manor.

He was a handsome guy, and just seeing him every day made Emily happy. She felt like she had found a treasure.

But now, looking up at James upstairs, she saw the prey had become the hunter, with cold, playful eyes.

The servants started serving food and drinks. Emily kept sipping her wine,her eyes growing dim, the light on her phone fading as James ignored her messages.

John had left at some point, and when he camne back, his clothes were a bit messy. Emily noticed the lipstick marks on his white shirt.

She smirked, feeling annoyed, and taunted, "Can't wait to get cozy at someone else's party, huh? That's gross."

John's brow furrowed. "Stop looking at me like that. Compared to Veda,Emily,you're the one who's not liked and seems like the other woman."

Emily gritted her teeth. Only someone as shameless as John could describe cheating as some kind of innocent mistake, making it sound so refined. Young John- had been a noble descendant of a prestigious family. Now, the older he got, the more disgusting he became. Emily thought of James again, feeling a headache and frustration.

She couldn't be bothered to argue with John, so she just lowered her head and drank alone.

Soon,her face flushed. John frowned, watching her gently rest her head on the table. Her smooth back was faintly visible, making John's Adam's apple bob.

His eyes darkened slightly. Although he didn't like Emily, he had to admit that every move she made was incredibly alluring. It made him a bit restless.

His gaze flickered, but he said disdainfully, "As Mrs. Williams, can you drink less at such a grand occasion?"

Emily felt a gaze on her back, making her uneasy. She glanced at John and said sarcastically, "Oh? I thought Mrs. Williams was Veda."

John glared at her, clearly pissed.

Emily kept mocking him, "Since everyone's here today, should I help clear things up for you?"

"Emily! Don't start!"

She rolled her eyes and kept drinking.

After giving the gift, Emily was ready to leave, but then they added an impromptu toasting session. She told John, "You go toast Mrs. Smith. I've had too much, and I'm heading back." John grabbed her wrist. "No, hold on. Otherwise,when Mrs. Smith asks, I can't explain."

Emily took a deep breath and held back. She couldn't eat anything on the table,just wanting to numb herself with alcohol.

Unfortunately, they were soon called to toast. Amelia had left early, leaving only James to hold the fort.

Emily wanted to escape. Dressed in a red dress, she walked over slowly with a glass of wine in hand.

John respectfully said to James, "Mr. Smith, we are from the Williams family. My wife and I are here to toast to you."

Even if James didn't want to drink, after so many people had toasted,he graciously gave face. But now facing John, he remained still.

John's hand was a bit stiff, his smile frozen. It was embarrassing.

Emily knew immedíately that James was doing it on purpose. Was he really that petty and cunning?

She took the initiative to pick up the wine and smiled slightly, looking both charming and enchanting. "Mr. Smith, this toast is to wish Mrs.Smith a happy birthday."

James turned the wine glass and glanced lightly at Emily.

From his eyes, Emily sensed danger. Then James spoke, "I heard that the Williams family is a jewelry family and has set your sights on my mine." John's eyes lit up, nodded instantly, and talked about the achievements of the Williams family in recent years. John's eyes lit up, nodded instantly, and talked about the achievements of the Williams family in recent years. always focused on affordable luxury, and currently, we have five hundred stores nationwide."

This number was quite impressive, especially during the years of economic downturn when the number of stores did not decrease.

Just when everyone thought James might consider cooperating with the Williams family, his tone turned cold. "The Golden Birch Group will not cooperate with the Williams family. You can drop that idea."

Everyone was stunned. This was a slap in the face for the Williams family.They were curious about when the Williams family had offended James.

Emily had already guessed it.

She finished her wine in one go, and also took John's glass,speaking calmly, "Mr. Smith, today is Mrs. Smith's birthday banquet. Even if the cooperation dloesn't work out, it's okay. I'll finish this glass."

She drank it all in one go again, the bitter wine turning into a burning sensation in her stomach.

Emily pulled John to leave. She just felt it was unnecessary to waste time.

Even if the Williams Family didn't cooperate with the Golden Birch Group,they would eventually go international. It was just a matter of taking a longer route and developing for a few more years. But John didn't see it that way. He directly let go of Emily's hand and asked James, "Mr. Smith, did we offend you?" James raised an eyebrow, remaining calm and composed. "You should ask Mrs. Williams about that."