Chapter 40

The whole dining table went dead silent.

Veda's face showed a flicker of embarrassment.

Everyone knew Emily and John had split, so asking Emily that question was clearly meant to make her uncomfortable. Emily was both confused and annoyed by Aiden's move. Aiden cleared his throat.

Since he brought it up, Emily decided not to hold back for Veda's sake.She said bluntly, "Well, someone doesn't have to be the side chick anymore.She can be John's girlfriend out in the open."

Veda's face turned sour.

Mia, always the defender, shot back, "You were the one who took John first.If you hadn't..."

Aiden banged the table and snapped, "Mia! Watch your mouth."

Mia's face shifted slightly, muttering, "But Emily's just not as much obedient as Veda. Veda's more sensible."

Emily rolled her eyes.

Aiden turned to Emily and said, "I heard you were the one who made the Golden Birch Group and Williams Group deal happen. I want you to represent the Johnson Group and negotiate with Mr. Smith."

Nothing came for free.

Emily glanced lazily at Veda and said, "Since Veda's already working at Golden Birch, she should handle it."

Mia muttered, "It's really hard to get you to do anything."

Aiden whispered, "Veda just started at Golden Birch. It's not right to put her in that position. If people think she's stealing trade secrets, how can she work there?"

Emily chuckled. "I'm actually working at the Williams Group now..."

"But you're a Johnson!" As soon as Emily refused, Aiden's face darkened,and his tone turned icy.

Emily looked at Aiden mockingly and said, "But I don't see myself as a Johnson. Even Finn knows Veda's the heiress,not me."

Aiden opened his mouth but stayed silent.

Mia frowned and grumbled, "It's your attitude that makes us not like you."

Emily calmly replied, "That's fine. I don't need your approval."

She put down her utensils, glanced at the dishes, and smiled wryly.

"Did you know I'm allergic to seafood?"

The three of them froze, forks in mid-air.

Mia's face showed a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "You should've said that earlier. You never tell us what you like. Are we supposed to guess?"

Emily was already numb to it, so Mia's words didn't surprise her.

The Johnson Group was in the perfume business, which is why neither Emily nor Veda worked there. The 'Sky Scent' brand under the Johnson Group was well-known but not dominant.

Aiden said, "If Cassia hadn't turned us down, I wouldn't have to go to Mr.Smith. Cassia's reputation is too strong now. We can't let them keep growing."

Emily raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

The Golden Birch Group had a lot going on, but things weren't as smooth behind the scenes as they seemed. Emily heard from James that the perfume brand 'Eternal Scent' was run by his sister.

But James and his sister? They didn't get along at all! Word was, they had a major falling out.

Emily was about to say something when her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and saw it was John's buddy, Joshua Thomas.He said, "Emily, John's drunk and yelling for you to come get him. Can you come over?"

Emily seized the moment. "John's drunk and needs me to pick him up, so I'm outta here."

She noticed Veda's face change.

Mia frowned."Why doesn't he ask..."

Veda,looking all hurt, shook her head and said, "Just let Emily go."

Emily ignored her and left. She wasn't interested in Aiden's business talk anyway. His demand was just a guilt trip.

At the Skyline Club, Emily walked into private room 506 and saw John sprawled out on the sofa, totally wasted.

Emily knew John's friends well, maybe even better than John did.

Everyone went quiet when she walked in. Joshua came over and whispered. "I don't know what's up with John. He called us all out,then started drinking alone. Didn't say a word all night. Then he asked us to call you."

Emily figured he couldn't handle the fact that his sweet, innocent Veda had turned out to be a schemer.

Ignoring John,she said, "You should call Veda. I'm not gonna help."

Joshua scratched his head. "Who's Veda?"

Emily didn't bother arguing. "Looks like you haven't had much to drink.

Help me get him up."

Joshua helped lift John, following Emily out.

In the lobby of the Skyline Club, John suddenly woke up. He shoved Joshua away and waved his hand. "I'm not going back. I can still drink."

Emily stopped and turned to him. "If you can still walk, get a designated driver and go home yourself."

John, still dazed, looked at Emily and suddenly pulled her into his arms."

Emmy, I miss you so much..."

Emily froze. She didn't expect John to call her Emmy. A strange ache hit her heart.

John held her tighter, almost burying his head in her neck, his voice breaking. "Why didn't you come find meoverseas? Why can't you just give in to me? Why did you leave me?"

Emily thought, 'I'm the one who got left behind.'

She hesitated, then pushed John away firmly. "John, look closely. I'm not Veda."

John's eyes flickered, and he stumbled towards her again. "I know you're Emmy.I just want you. It's because of you that I've become like this. How can you abandon me!"

Emily dodged his touch, thinking he was out of his mind.

She tried to avoid him, but John grabbed her wrist. Just then, a group of people walked out of an elevator.

James, leading the group, stopped in his tracks. Naturally, everyone else did too, following his gaze.

Eric's eyes nearly popped out. He thought, 'Is James's girlfriend getting tangled up with someone else?'