Chapter 49

James's eyes darkened a bit as he quickly threw on his clothes and headed into the office, carrying Emily's clothes with him.

Emily was still lying on the bed, with marks of his touch on her chest and breasts, which he reluctantly looked away from.

Marcus didn't walk in until James walked out of the hidden room after they both tidied up. He immediately noticed the frustrated look on James's face and couldn't help but smirk a little.

"James, are you..." Marcuis began to ask.

James shot him a cold glance, shutting him up instantly. In a low voice,Marcus said, "I'm starting school soon, and grandma told me to ask you for living expenses."

James handed him a card. Even though their family was loaded,they were always strict about the kids' spending to avoid any kind of competition at school.

After taking the card, Marcus notced a lady's handbag next to James's chair, and then his eyes landed on a bouquet of roses.

He looked at James and teased, "James, you're not planning to tell me the truth,are you?"

James replied coldly, "Get lost. If you say anything, I'll rip out your tongue.

Marcus quickly shut up, trying to think of the few women around James.Apart from Anais, there weren't many. He couldn't think of anyone else.

But whoever could make James care so much must be special.

Marcus wanted to ask indirectly, but after getting a warning look from James, he just took the bank card and left.

After leaving the office, he immediately went to ask Ryan, "Who's my brother's girlfriend? Tell me, and I won't spread it."

Ryan shook his head. "I have no idea."

Marcus didn't believe him. "I'm Marcus Smith. If you don't tell me, I'll have mybrother fire you."

"I really don't know."

Marcus got even more curious.

James went back to the dark room, where Emily had already tidied up and put on her clothes. She waved at James. "Stop, this is still the office, and people are coming and going. I don't want to trend on social media tomorrow."

James had no choice but to comply, but he still passionately kissed Emily for a few minutes.

These days, James went on another business trip abroad. When Emily finished work, Wilder approached her and said, "It's your mom's birthday today.She wants you to come home for dinner."

Emily remembered Calliope's birthday and hadI already prepared a gift.She handed the gift to Wilder, saying, "Dad, please take the gift to mnom for me. Wish her a happy birthday. I'll go back now..."

Wilder sighed. "Calliope just misses you. The gift and all that aren't

important. You really don't plan to go back?"

Seeing Wilder's almost pleading expression, Emily felt a twinge of guilt and nodded in agreement.

Calliope's birthday celebration at home was a small gathering, but Emily didin't expect to find John and Veda there when she arrived.

The atmosphere in the house was not very pleasant. Since Veda was still a member of the Johnson family, they had to endure her presence.

When Calliope saw Emily, she warmly approached her. This contrast made Veda feel uncomfortable. But she just sat on the sofa obediently,feeling abit awkward with her hands clasped together. It was unexpected for her that John brought her here today.

Seeing the dark circles under Emily's eyes, Calliope asked with concern,"Have you been working too hard lately? Do you need to rest first?"

James wasn't home these days, so she had nothing to do at night and would immerse herself in designing in the study. Sometimes she would stay up all night working on her designs.

As a result, her mental state was not good, so she nodded, a bit playfully. "Mom,I'll go rest upstairs. Call me when it's time for dinner."

Calliope nodded.

Emily curled up on the sofa,listening to the recording of James's meeting at work on her phone, and soon fell asleep. Before long, John camne up to call her for dinner.

The recording had stopped, and Emily lay quietly on the sofa.John entered the room quietly.

He looked down at Emily lying on the sofa, sleeping pecefully.She looked so different from when he last saw her, no longer cold and intimidating

Her stunningly beautiful face made John's heaurt skip a beat, just like when he first met Emily and found her innocent.

John slowly squatted down beside her. Emily was still asleep, allowing the inexplicable feelings in his heart to grow wildly.

When Emily woke up, he really didn't dare to look at her so recklessly.

John didn't know when he had started feeling somewhat inferior in front of Emily. Her brilliance won his heart, but it also sparked a jealousy that was eating him up inside.

John was afraid he couldn't dominate Emily and that she might choose someone better.

As his lips slowly approached, his heart pounded. He wanted Emily.For the first time, he regretted not marrying her three years ago!

Just as he was about to kiss Emily, Veda's voice suddenly came from outside. "John, why haven't you two come down yet?"

Consumed by jealousy, Veda pushed the door open, her hands clenched tightly.

John instantly moved away from Emily's face, his back tense and frustrated at being interrupted.

Emily was also awakened by their commotion. As she opened her eyes,she saw John crouching in front of her. And Veda standing at the door.

When John came in, he had forgot to close the door properly. so Veda had been watching from outside for quite some time.

She watched as John involuntarily moved closer to Emily, and in the end.he even tried to kiss her. This was a heavy blow to Veda.

With a slight smile. Veda said, "Did I interrupt your intimacy?"

Veda tried her best to gain even a little bit of love from John,while Emily seemed to effortlessly win. Even though she had known John longer than Emily!

A hint of guilt flashed in John's eyes.

Emily frowned. Seeing how close John was to her,she understood a lot.Thinking of Veda's resentful eyes and John's flushed face,she raised an eyebrow.

With a hint of coldness in her tone, Emily asked, "John, were you just about to kiss me?"

John stood up instantly, unable to meet her eyes, feeling embarrassed. It was ridiculous how he had almost kissed Emily without control.