Chapter 43

James always got this weird, uncomfortable feeling whenever he thought about Emily and John being so close.

Being just a regular guy, James's angry words could be pretty hurtful too.

He grabbed Emily's chin and sneered, "I never knew Ms. Johnson was so good at comforting men. Are you planning to get back with John? Or maybe you're thinking about a threesome with me and John?"

Emily's face turned icy, but there was a slight smile at the corner of her mouth that sent chills down anyone's spine.

"James, you've crossed the line," she said.

James frowned, his eyes dark and stormy.

Emily's smile faded, and she calmly said, "Our relationship isn't deep enough for me to explain everything to you. So, don't act like you're interrogating a suspect. We never talked about feelings in the first place.Why are you acting like a betrayed victim?"

She stared at James and continued, "I can only tell you that nothing happened between John and me last night that broke our rules. If you can't handle it, you can end this relationship right now, and I'll move out immediately."

James looked at the emotionless Emily. He knew if he agreed to end it, she'd pack up and leave without hesitation.

This thought almost drove him crazy. For the first time,he felt out of control because of a woman. He stormed out of Crystal Valley Manor.

Emily watched him leave, feeling even more exhausted, but a strange emotion flickered in her mind,making her uneasy.

She went to the bathroom, soaking in the water, with traces of James's playful marks on her chest and thighs.

Emily closed her eyes. She had fought with John at the Williams Mansion and then argued with James at Crystal Valley Manor.

It was normal for men to be possessive.

But she hadn't broken their agreement. If everyone wanted her to lower herself to please them, it was just too tiring.

Originally, she and James had ended this abnormal relationship she had started.

But now that James's status had changed, it wasn't up to her to end it.The ball was entirely in James's court.

But honestly, Emily didn't want to keep this relationship going.

She sighed. "Men are really hard to deal with."

To her, James was even more trouble than John.

As Emily expected, in the following days, James didn't contact her or return to Crystal Valley Manor.

Every day, Emily wondered if her relationship with James was over so that there was no need to develop it further or stay in touch.

As time passed, Emily realized that with James's status and position, it wasn't worth wasting time on her.

She felt somewhat relieved but also a bit unhappy. She was thinking about James when she looked down at her design drafts and realized they were all about him.

Emily rolled her eyes, feeling totally exasperated. She thought, "With so many great guys out there, why am I so huing up on James?"

She rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on.

Just then, her assistant burst into the office, all excited. "Ms. Johnson,you need to check Twitter right now. The comments section has totally flipped!"

Emily finally picked up her phone.

Before, all the comments on Twitter were trashing her. But now, most people were apologizing because someone had spilled the tea on Isolde and Lucas.

The villagers were calling out Isolde and Lucas for verbally and physically abusing Emily,even starving her.

Reporters talked to the villagers, who said Isolde never liked Emily,probably because she knew early on that Emily wasn't her daughter and even thought about selling her. But Emily was smart and got away.

Some even said that Veda was Isolde's real daughter and that the baby swap was on purpose because Isolde didn't want her own kid to suffer.

Veda was suddenly getting roasted online.

"I used to think Veda was innocent, but she's just a fake."

"Veda lived the high life that should have been Emily'sfor over a decade,and she even tried to steal Emily's fiancé."

"Such a gross person. And Emily's parents still keep her at the Johnson Mansion? Aren't they worried their own daughter will be disgusted?"

The comments had done a complete 180.

To dig up all this dirt and keep Lucas's assault on her under wraps while controlling public opinion, Emily could only think of one person-James.

Emily wondered if she should call him to say thanks.

As she left the office that night, she saw a veryfamiliar car parked outside.James's driver had smartly parked it in a dark spot. After a moment of hesitation, Emily walked over.

James got out of the car, staring at her intently, and said, "If I hadn't come to you today, would you have never reached out to me?"

Emily didn't answer that but asked, "Did you handle the online comments?

She had originally planned to letthe rumors die down on their own,thinking it would cost a lot to deal with them.

With his arms crossed, James said, "Yeah, I handled it. It cost quite a bit.How are you planning to repay me?"

Emily played along. "I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

James took her straight to Celestial Cuisine.

The private rooms were all booked, so Emily had to settle for a window seat with a view of the entire Emerald City.

James had to take a work call, so Emily ordered on her own.

But soon, a familiar voice called out, "Emily, are you eating here too?"

Emily looked up and saw Aiden and Mia, with Veda standing between them.

Despite their recent fallout, Emily stood up and greeted them politely."Dad,Mom."

She glanced at Mia a little longer. Mia looked at her coldly without responding.

Aiden smiled and said, "Veda's birthday is coming up in a few days, and we're planning a birthday banquet for her here."