Chapter 41

"Is it really Ms. Johnson?" Eric asked,glancing cautiously at James.

James's face was stone-cold, radiating a chilling aura that kept everyone silent.

Meanwhile, John yanked Emily harshly into his arms. The weight of his body pressed down on her, making it hard for her to push him away, and she stumbled a bit under the pressure.

Joshua sighed,"Emily, why don't you just take him home? It's late, andit s not convenient for us to go to the Williams Mansion. Please, Emily."

Emily nodded reluctantly and helped John out of the Skyline Club.

Everyone kept an eye on James's expression.

Brian Scott smirked, "Emily's got some nerve, sneaking around with our young Mr. Smith. When has Mr. Smith ever been treated like this? Mr.Smith, why don't you let me handle her? I'll make sure she pays for it."

James stayed silent.

Everyone assumed he agreed with Brian, except for Eric, who shot Brian a disapproving look. This wasn't the time for jokes.

Eric knew James well. If James admitted Emnily was his girlfriend, he wouldn't let anyone else near her.

Someone teased Brian, "You just want her for yourself, don't you? You've already got seven girlfriends, and you're still looking for more?"

Laughter erupted.

Brian grinned, "Women love flowers, diamonds, and money. If I give Ms.Johnson enough, she'll be mine. Then I'll treat you all to dinner and dump her right in front of you. I'll crush her self-esteem."

Brian's words grew more explicit. "When I sleep with her,I'll take photos and videos and send them to you."

Eric sighed, glancing at James, and took a step back. Suddenly, James turned and punched Brian hard in the face, sending him staggering.

James glared at Brian. "Touch her, and you'll regret it."

Everyone was stunned, except for Eric. He wanted to step in, but James stormed out.

He saw Emily and John getting into a car. Without his own car, he couldn'

t follow them. He pulled out his phone to call Emily.

Emily had just gotten into the car when her phone died as she was about to answer James's call.

She shrugged it off, not too concerned.

After dropping John off, she was about to leave when he grabbed her wrist.

"Emmy, don't go." Emily pulled away, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.

John's long eyelashes trembled. He seemed to have forgotten the past few years,only talking about their childhood.

"You were this little girl, huddled in the corner like a broken Barbie doll. I just thought, I have to protect you," John said.

A pang of bitterness hit Emily, but she quickly pushed it aside.

Back then, John had really gotten under her skin. She was young and clueless about love, but as she grew up, her feelings for John quietly took root.

But then John bailed on their wedding. Over the next three years, she tried to push him out of her heart. Feelings couldn't endure such strain and erosion.

John kept rambling about his feelings, but Emily wasn't paying attention.She was busy looking for a charger at his place.

Emily wondered why John didn't even have a charger in his room.

Just as she was about to leave, John blurted out, "You're a bad woman.You rejected me first, and then blamed it on me."

Emily frowned. 'What is he talking about? Did I do something unforgivable?' she thought.

"John, what do you mean by that? Is there something I don't know?"

Half-asleep, John opened his eyes, grabbed Emily's hand, and made her touch the scar on his waist. Only then did she feel the scar.

"Do you think I'm ugly? You even told me to die!" he said.

Seeing the scar, her eyes darkened.

She remembered this scar. When Lucas tried to take her away by force,Emily refused, and John stepped in. A fight broke out, and Lucas, always ruthless,stabbed John, leaving him with the scar.

John was jast a teenager then. He spent half a month in the hospital,almost losing his life.

Emily's feelings were mixed. But she didn't feel like she owed John anything. During the three years he was gone, she had been dedicated to the Williams Group.

She helped keep the Williams Group afloat, making its Diamond Glow flourish. All for John.

What Hayden and Wilder said about giving her shares or making John give up his inheritance rights was all to force John to be with her.

Emily looked indifferent, raised her hand, and slapped John. "Don't play these games with me."

She had never despised the scar on John's waist, and she truly didn't understand his accusation. It was absurd.

Seeing John about to cry, Emily rolled her eyes, got up, and left,running into Calliope coming out of the bedroom.

Calliope was surprised to see her, her eyes lighting up, insisting she stay.Emily reluctantly agreed.

The next morning, Emily was having breakfast downstairs when John came down. His expression instantly became complicated, and his head seemed to ache even more. He sat down across from Emily.

"You brought me back last night?" John asked in a deep voice.

Emily nodded. "Next time you're drunk, have your friends take you to Veda."

John's expression changed slightly, a hint of something flashing in his eyes."Next time. I'll tell them we've split up, and I won't let them bother you again."

Emily's face remained indifferent. "That's good."