Chapter 42

John couldn't help but stare at Emily's fresh, makeup-free face. She looked so innocent, like a college kid with those clear eyes and that hint of naivety.

He felt a little flutter in his chest but quickly pushed it down.

After a beat, he finally said, "I figured out the whole trendling mess. It was Veda messing with you. I'm here to apologize for her. I'm sorry."

Emily raised an eyebrow, giving him a look that made him squirm a bit.

Taking a deep breath, he added, "If you want any compensation, just let me know. I'll do what I can."

Emily's voice was calm, "Don't worry. I won't let Veda leave you."

John felt a bit uneasy.

Emily took a bite of her bread and said, "Veda framed me, so I fought back. Neither of us has gained anything so far. But I've got more tricks up my sleeve. You should tell her to stay away from me and not mess with me again."

John was stunned. The Emily who had first come to the Johnson Mansion was always so eager to please them. Now, she was a whole different person.

Emily kept eating, not caring about John's reaction. When it came to the Isolde situation, she knew she wouldn't be the one to lose. However, she still had a soft spot for Aiden and Mia, as they had ended badly with Isolde for her sake back then.

But what Emily couldn't understand was why her own parents would

dislike her. Even though she had lived in the countryside for ten years,she was still their child. She kept these thoughts to herself as she ate slowly.

Out of nowhere, John asked, "Did I say anything weird when i was drunk last night?"

Emily's eyesinstinctively went to his waist.

John frowned."You saw it?"

Emily nodded. "With today's medical advancements, you can get scars removed completely. I just didn't expect you to care so much about it."

The scar was about 4 inches long, a bit ugly from the stitches.

She had seen the wound and the scar when John was in the hospital.She just didn't expect the scar to grow over time.

John's eyes flashed with disgust. "Emily, don't look at me with that pity.It disgusts me."

Emily frowned. "Are you nuts? I was grateful you saved me back then.and that hasn't changed. Why do you have to be so mean?"

John looked at her mockingly, suddenly losing his appetite. "Didn't you write in your diary that you were disgusted by the sear on my body?"

Emily laughed, "When did I write that? I don't remember, John,if that's what you think of me:I won't argue. I don't owe you anything, and I don t feel guilty,"

She continued.17Inever wrote such things. I didn't expect you to distrust me like this."

Emily chuckled bitterly. "Is that why you chose Veda? I really can't respect you."

The trust between them had crumbled so quickly that even Emily found it laughable.

John's anger seemed to dissolve with Emily's words, and he started to doubt himself.

Taking a deep breath, John said, "It's been years, so I don't have any proof."

Emily locked eyes with him, the tension in the room thickening.

"John, since you've chosen Veda, be good to her. But after what happened on Twitter, you should realize she's not as pure and kind as she seems. Be careful."

Out of nowhere, John asked, "Are you planning to get back at her?"

Emily just kept eating, thinking how absurd John's question was. She wasn't the type to just let things slide.

A shadow crossed John's face. He felt like he had brought this mess on himself.

After a while, Emily said, "I'll take back what's mine."

John's eyes turned cold. "I'm a person, not something you can control."

Emily sighed, thinking, 'I already have James. Why would I need you?

But she didn't want to argue, so she let it go.

After finishing their mea, they parted ways, both feeling displeased.

Emily headed straight to work and only returned to Crystal Valley Manor after her shift. She left work on time and was surprised to see the lights on when she got home.

As soon as she walked in, she saw James coming down the stairs.

Sensing his off mood, she half-joked, "Who made Mr. Smith angry?"

She was about to head upstairs for a shower when James's gloomy voice stopped her. "Why did you turn off your phone? Why didn't you answer my calls?"

Emily suddenly remembered James had called her. She had meant to charge her phone at the office and call him back, but meetings had kept her busy all day. Her mind was filled with design drafts and contract issues.

She glanced at her phone. James had called a dozen times, the most recent one just half an hour ago.

Feeling guilty, Emily said, "I forgot. Do you believe me?"

Seeing no change in James's stern expression, Emily leaned in and kissed him, trying to lighten the mood. "Alright, darling, it's not a big deal.I'll make it up to you after I freshen up. How about that?"

Normally, this would have calmed James down, but now his face only grew darker.

Taking a deep breath, James asked, "Who were you with last night?"

Without thinking, Emily replied, "John."

James laughed bitterly. "Am I your pet? You play with me when you're

happy and ignore me when you're not, not even answering my calls! Were you having a romantic time with John at the Skyline Club?"

His face darkened, eyes filled with uncontrollable anger.

"Are you getting back with him because of the Williams family's favor towards you, or is it about rekindling an old flame with him? Don't you find him dirty anymore now?"