Chapter 63

Veda's voice was all over the place, panting and shaking like a leaf.She finally noticed everyone staring at her like she was some kind of freak.

Aiden had never felt so humiliated. James had just been nice to him, and now this? It was like getting slapped in the face.

Aiden couldn't take it anymore. He stormed over and slapped Veda hard."Shut up! You made this mess, and now you're putting the blame on Emily?Haven't you caused enough trouble?"

Veda's lips quivered. Aiden had never been this mad at her before.

Tears streamed down Veda's face. Her mind was a blank slate. How did things get so messed up?

Aiden awkwardly apologized to everyone, "I'm really sorry about today.My daughters are having a spat and causing a scene."

He was trying to smooth things over, taking advantage of the real victim's-Emily's silence.

Veda bit her lip,feeling totally exposed and humiliated. Her dignity was in shreds.

Instinctively, Veda looked for someone to protect her. When she saw John,he was staring at Emily. Jealousy gnawed at her.

Why couldn't she get into John's heart after three years? Veda was terrified John would fall for Emily again.

Since Emily came back to the Johnson Mansion at twelve, Veda had felt the pressure every day.

She had to be better to make up for her own insecurities. She wasn't Aiden and Mia's biological daughter!

She had to keep Emily down to secure her place in the Johnson family.Veda was desperate to get Emily out of the picture!

Veda glanced at Mia, but Mia's eyes, usually so warm, were icy cold.It sent a shiver down her spine.

After slapping Veda, Aiden walked over to Emily, his tone softening. "Emmy,I misunderstood you."

Then he turned to Veda, his voice icy. "Veda, apologize to your sister!"

Veda couldn't believe it. But with everyone watching, she took a deep breath, walked over to Emily, and grudgingly said, "Emily, I'm sorry.I shouldn't have slandered you. I was just joking."

Aiden quickly added, "Veda's still young and naive. Don't take it to heart.We're all family, no need for such deep hatred,right?"

Emily had been quietly held by James the whole time, not saying a word.Even though she was the one involved,she seemed detached.

Hearing this, Emily smiled sarcastically. "Mr. Johnson, you might think this is a joke, but I don't. I've cut ties with the Johnson family, so your family drama isn't my problem. As for the wvrongs I've suffered, I'll deal with them in my own time."

Emily's eyes were icy and distant. From Aiden's words, she realized he never really trusted her.

Now,he was only making Veda apologize to save face for the Johnson family, not for what she had suffered. Emily was done with Aiden's moral

high ground.

Aiden never truly wanted her as his daughter.

James looked down at Emily with tenderness. Then his gaze turned cold as he looked at someone nearby and said, "Emmy, let's go."

Aiden's face darkened, and Mia's expression soured even more.

As they took a few steps, James turned to the crowd. "It's my girlfriend's birthday today. If you don't mind, join us on the top floor to celebrate."

Emily raised an eyebrow, looking at James curiously, and whispered,"James, I think you're deliberately making our relationship public."

Most of the big shots in Emerald City were there. With James making such a public statement, everyone would know she was his girlfriend by tomorrow.

As James's words sank in, thecrowd buzzed. Since James personally invited them, everyone wanted to show respect and get on his good side.

"Mr. Smith, we're going to celebrate Ms. Emily Johnson's birthday."

Throughout the whole ordeal, Emily never looked back at her biological parents. She followed James to the top floor.

In just a few minutes, the Johnson family's banquet hall went from packed to empty, looking desolate.

Calliope didn't even glance at John, her heart burning with anger. John was grown up, and she couldn't control him anymore!

Only the Johnson family blood relatives remained. Someone walked up to Aiden, sighed heavily, and said, "You finally found your real daughter,

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only to drive her away yourself.Why bother?"

He continued, "Emmy is talented. The perfumes she designed for the company are amazing and popular. We even tried tweaking her formulas to keep customers, but they were all subpar. If she's really connected with the Smith family, the sky's the limit. What a mess this is."

Everyone sighed, glaring at Veda with resentment.

Veda didn't dare say a word. She quietly hid behind John, lightly clutching his sleeve with her fingers, hoping for some protection.

But John shook off her hand harshly, then stared at her and said, "Veda,am I just a tool for you to get back at your sister?"

Veda was stunned. The coldness in John's eyes filled her with fear.

When John started to walk out, Veda didn't hesitate to follow him.

It was already hard for her to walk in a long dress, and after falling down the stairs, she felt like her bones were about to shatter.

"John, John!" Veda called out loudly.

But John didn't even look back until he was outside the hotel.

The cold wind outside seemed to clear John's mind a bit. When he turned around, Veda had followed him out.

"John." Veda's voice was filled with hurt and a hint of tears. "My whole body hurts."