Chapter 54

Mia looked away, but Emily hopped out of the car and slammed the door shut.

She turned and practically sprinted away, her mind racing with doubts about why Mia had invited her out today.

Was it just a shopping trip? Or was it a setup to make her see Isolde?

Emily's head started to pound. When she got back to the office, her assistant noticed her mood and kept quiet.

Emily broke the silence, "What's up?"

"Mr. John Williams is back at work today."

Emily wasn't shocked. The Williamns Group was always going to end up in John's hands.

The assistant, looking worried, asked, "Ms. Johnson, Veda doesn't get along with you. Do you think Mr. Williams might come after you?"

Emily couldn't help but chuckle. She didn't expect her assistant to be so concerned.

"No, don't stress. John isn't that dumb."

The assistant scratched his head, thinking, 'Emily, I know you're smart,but you can't just call Mr. Williams dumb, right?'

The next day,Emily got a package from Veda. Inside was a fancy dress with no brand label, but the fabric felt luxurious.

There was a card saying Mia had picked it out for her to wear at the

birthday party. Emily sighed.

Golden Birch Group

Ryan placed the most important documents on James's right side and whispered1. "Mr. Smith, these are the latest contracts with overseas factories.And this one is a proposal from the Johnson Group. Want to take a look?"

When Ryan mentioned the Johnson Group, James's face turned icy. Ryan felt the atmosphere became tense.

He hesitated, wondering if he should take the proposal away, but James opened it.

He skimmed it and then smirked coldly. "The Johnson Group is really pushing it!"

Ryan couldn't read his thoughts. Since Emily was from the Johnson family,why was he so hostile?

Just then, a series of knocks on the door, broke the tense silence. Besides Ryan and Emily, no one else could just walk in. Even senior execs had to meet James in the conference room. For other official matters, Ryan would deliver the documents needing his signature.

James frowned slightly. Seeing his mood, Ryan walked out. When he saw Veda,his frown deepened.

He remembered Veda didn't get along with Emily. But why was Veda here?

Ryan's eyes fell on her work badge, and his frown deepened even more.Who was the idiot that hired her?

Seeing Ryan open the door, Veda felt a pang of disappointment. She pursed her lips anad said softly, "Ryan, I'm not here to see you. I'm here to see Mr.Smith."

Veda thought, 'If I can secure my spot at Golden Birch Group, Ryan's the first one I'll get rid of.

For days, every time she tried to see James, Ryan blocked her. She couldn't figure out how an assstant like Ryan had so much power.

Ryan held back his temper and said coldly, "Mr. Smith won't see you.Please leave."

Veda bit her lip and walked past Ryan, spotting James sitting elegantly in his chair.

James had this cold, noble vibe that no one could match.

Veda bit her lip again, knowing she wasn't in James's league. But if he backed her, no one in the Johnson or Williams families would dare look down on her.

She handed him her design sketches. "Mr. Smith, these are my latest designs. I hope you'll take a look."

James glanced at her designs with indifference.

Veda's heart raced. She was a bit scared of James. At the Royal Venue jewelry exhibition, he had publicly accused her of plagiarism.

Now,she nervously watched as James opened her sketches.

Her eyes flickered as she handed him an invitation. "Mr. Smith, the day after tomorrow is my birthday. I'd like to invite you to my birthday dinner.

Worried he might refuse, she added, "Mrs. Amelia Martinez invited us to her birthday banquet before, so this is a return invitation."

James took the invitation, opened it, and saw only Veda's name inside.The chill in the room intensified.

Veda was nervous, unable to meet James's eyes directly. She asked softly,"Mr.Smith,will you come?"

James sneered. "Since you have invited me, I will go."

Veda instantly smiled, completely missing the cold intent in James's eyes.

After Veda left, James said coldly, "Find out who brought her in and fire them."

Ryan was stunned for a moment and asked, "Mr. Smith, are both of them being fired?"

"Veda stays."

Ryan nodded, noticing the menacing glint in James's eyes.

Looking at the invitation, James finally understood why Emnily had been so unenthusiastic lately.

That evening, James returned to Crystal Valley Manor early and prepared a spread of delicious food all over the table. He asked Emily, "How do you want to spend your birthday? Want to go out together?"

Emily shook her head. "I can't. My parents have planned a birthday banquet, and they have invited me to attend."

Emily clearly didn't see herself as the main event.

James's eyes flickered slightly. "You can't spend it with me?"

Emily took a bite of fish, reached out to pinch James's cheek, and said with a smile, "You make it sound like it's your birthday."

James held her hand, kissed it lightly, and said, "It's the same."

Emily sighed. "But I can't say no to my mom."

A hint of disappointment flashed in James's eyes.

Feeling a bit guilty, Emily reached out to tousle James's hair, messing it up,and chuckled softly. "Then wait for me to come back, and we'll have cake together."

James nodded.

That night, they embraced and slept. James wanted to do something more,but Emily refused and said softly,"If you try anything, you'll be sleeping on the second floor."

James obediently held her, kissed her lips, and embraced her.