Chapter 57

Emily watched as Veda held the wine glass, her hand slowly reaching out.

Then, without a second thought, she grabbed the glass and poured the wine right over Veda's head, in front of everyone.

The cold wine trickled down Veda's cheeks, soaking into her dress, making her shiver.

Veda was stunned. The ladies who had been cheering moments ago were now wide-eyed and silent.

Emily calmly placed the empty glass back on the tray,her expression icy as she stared at Veda. "I warned you, don't mess with me. I have a short fuse and I won't put up with your crap."

Veda was a mess, her face pale with rage. She never thought Emily would actually go through with it.

Emily didn't care anymore. She used to hold back at the Johnson Mansion to avoid upsetting her parents. But now, she wasn't going to suppress herself to please anyone. She wasn't going to let Veda walk all over her.

Emily casually flicked her long hair.

Veda was fuming, her head felt like it was about to explode.

"Emily! Do you even know what you've done?!"

Veda gritted her teeth, almost grinding them to dust. She never expected Emily to humiliate her in front of so many people.

Emily's voice was ice-cold. "I offered you a drink. Don't wasteit."

With that, Emily didn't even glance at Veda, she just turned and walked away.

Once everyone snapped out of their shock, they all stared at Veda. She was on the verge of tears. Someone suggested she go change her clothes to avoid further embarrassment.

Veda could only head upstairs in tears. Mia saw this and went to find Emily.

At that moment, Emily was happily munching on cake. When she saw Mia approaching, she slowly put it down and looked up. "Mom, what's up?

"You bullied Veda again. It's her birthday today. Can't you be more considerate and not cause trouble?"

Emily smiled, but her demeanor was icy. She looked at Mia coldly.

Mia, without even asking for the full story,came over and scolded her.

Emily sneered. "If she disrespects me again, I can do even worse. Ms.Wilson, today is my birthday too. Do I have to bow down to her?"

Mia was taken aback, staring at the unfamiliar Emily in front of her."What did you call me?"

"Ms,Wilson."

Mia raised her hand and slapped her hard, drawing everyone's attention.

It was the first time Mia had ever hit her. Emily's face stung from the slap.

Emily smirked, looking steadily at Mia, and spoke slowly, "This is the last time you'll ever hit me. There won't be another chance."

Emily took a deep breath and walked away. She couldn't understand why Mia was so biased. She was Mia's child.

Mia took a deep breath too. When she first brought Emily back, she knew about Emily's rough past with Isolde and Lucas, and it broke her heart.

She wanted to make it up to Emily. But she had never dealt with someone overly sensitive and cautious. Whatever Emily did, she found it displeasing. She didn't want her daughter to be seen as uncultured or unrefined.

But Veda was different. When she came back to the Johnson Mansion on her own. Mia saw the bruises on her and felt a pang of discomfort.

Veda had been under her care for twèlve years. She shouldn't have to endure such humiliation in someone else's home.

From that point on, Mia started to ignore Emily more and more. As Emily grew up, Mia felt it was too late to make things right.

Everyone laughed at the scene, and the whole atmosphere turned awkward.

Mia's fingertips trembled, her palm red from the slap. Only she knew how hard she had hit, as if she had driven away her only daughter.

Mia regretted it and instinctively wanted to catch up, but then Veda appeared.

She clung to Mia's arm and whispered, "My boyfriend is here."

Emily hadIn't gone far and overheard this.

Everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the banquet hall. There, John,

looking sharp in a black suit, was walking towards them.

Veda announced in front of everyone that John was her boyfriend,making everyone look at him with even stranger eyes.

John sensed something was off as soon as he walked in. Some people looked at him with disdain, others outright contempt.

He caught snippets of their whispers.

"Isn't he married to Emily? Now he's with her sister too?"

"So he's Veda's boyfriend now? Guess he doesn't care about Emily anymore."

"He didn't care about Emily before, leaving her alone at their grand wedding."

"This is soembarrassing!"

John walked up to the group, frowning as he glanced at Veda,who looked down guiltily.

He had warned her not to reveal their relationship at a big event like this.

Veda clenched her hand nervously. She didn't know if John would be mad,but she wanted to force his hand in front of everyone. Otherwise, he would never divorce Emily!

Emily's cold gaze fell on them. John noticed the slap mark on her face and furrowed his brows.

Veda didn't want John's attention on Emily, so she stepped forward and clung to his arm.

She called him softly, "John."

John reluctantly pulled his gaze away from Emily, looked down at Veda,and discreetly pulled his arm back.

"It's your birthday, so I won't argue with you. Did you forget what I told you?"

Veda bit her lipo. lowered her head, a hint of hurt in her eyes, and whispered, "Do you want me to always be your secret lover?"

John's eyes turned cold. Veda didn't dare say more.She slowly lowered her head,wanting to touch John but hesitating.

Since she was a child, she had always wanted to be the only one in John's eyes.

But when Emily was brought back, her pitiful look and obedience gave John a reason to protect her. Soon, his attention shifted to Emily.

Veda once asked John when she was young, "Why do you like Emily so much?"

She still remembered his answer. He said, "Emily needs protection, and she's beautiful. I like being with her and seeing her smile. I want to protect her forever."

Those words echoed in Veda's ears, stirring up a storm in her heart.