Chapter 72

Veda was freaking out. The video left her totally shocked.

In the clip, she was sitting with Isolde. You couldn't hear what they were saying, but it showed her handing Isolde a bank card!

From that moment on, she started giving Isolde money every month with that card.

James gave her a cold stare and said, "From what I know, you've been giving Isolde money every month for years."

Veda was at a loss for words, feeling guilty. She had kept this secret from everyone, including Aiden and Mlia.

She started giving money to Isolde three years ago, after Mia was taken away by the Mellon Family from the Starry Capital for some investigation.

When Mia came back, she was a mess, having nightmares and calling out Emily's name in her sleep.

That's when Veda realized she could never replace Emily in Mia's heart.There was a huge difference between a biological and a non-biological daughter.

Veda used to just envy Emily. But from that day on, all she felt for Emily was resentment. She wvished Emily would just disappear!

But now James had stepped in, with proof of her giving money toIsolde.

Veda hesitated for a moment and then slowly said, "After all, Isolde is my biological mother. I can't just watch her struggle. What I did was just to fulfill my duty as a daughter."James responded coolly, "If that's the case, then leave the Johnson Mansion and go take care of Isolde. The Johnson Mansion isn't where you belong."

Veda's whole body stiffened and she refused without hesitation. "No way! I've been living well at the Johnson Mansion, and now that Emily cut ties with the Johnson family, I'm the only daughter left for my mom. She's not happy these days, crying all the time. I have to take care of her. Emily is unfilial, but I can't be like her."

Veda tried hard to restore her reputation in front of James.

James said flatly, "Essentially, you still can't bear to give up the luxury and wealth in the Johnson family. If you really want to be filial, then return all the money you gave to Isolde over theyears to the Johnson family,admit your mistake to Mia, and promise not to do such things again. Maybe I can cover this up."

Veda's lips trembled. She felt like she was being roasted by a fierce fire,very uncomfortable.

Veda knew that Mia despised Isolde and Lucas. After Isolde had slept with Aiden, Mia never had any intimate behavior with Aiden again.Everything she did outside was just to save face for Aiden.

If she found out that Veda had been secretly giving money to Isolde, she would definitely no longer consider Veda her daughter. When she got home last night, Mia was very cold towards her, and she couldn't stand being ignored like that. But now, James had clearly set a trap for her. She was stuck. Tears were about to fall as Veda said pitifully, "Mr. Smith, do you have to be so ruthless?" "Is it me being ruthless, or is it your greed? You know the answer."

Veda was left speechless by his harsh words. She knew she couldn't win against James, so she just nodded and left the office,feeling heavy-hearted.

After VVeda left, Emily stepped out from the hidden room. She raised an eyebrow at James, half-jokingly saying, "Why do I get the feeling Veda's got a thing for you? So, who is she really into, you or John?"

James walked over to her, wrapping his arm around her waist, and said with a hint of annoyance, "You just use me. Shouldn't you compensate me for some emotional distress?"

As he spoke, he leaned in for a kiss.

Emily pushed him away, exasperated. "Can you stop being like this every time? Is sex all you think about?"

"Well, no, I have you on my mind."

James leaned in again, his fingers slipping under the hem of her shirt and lingering on her waist. He was physically drawn to Emily, and all his desires revolved around her.

He teased her lips, not letting her pull away.

Just as things were heating up, Emily's stomach growled. "I'm hungry."

James looked at her with a mix of amusement and indulgence in his eyes Emily laughed and walked over to the coffee table. The food had cooled down a bit, but it still tasted good. James sat across from her,and they chatted while eating. Emily said, "Veda already embarrassed the Johnson family yesterday.Aiden's really pissed at her now, so the only person she can rely on is Mia.Making her confess in front of Mia is like cutting off her last lifeline."

Mia hated Isolde with a passion.

As James spoke, he peeled a shrimp for Emily and put it in her bowl,staring at her. "Seems like I can't afford to piss you off in the future,or I won't even know what hit me."

James then asked, "With all the dirt you had on Veda, why didn't you deal with her earlier?"

Emily looked at James. "I was busy having a secret fling with you back then,and Veda didn't publicly frame me, so I let it slide."

The main reason was that Emily and John weren't married. So Emily didn't really care whether Veda was with John or not.

But during those three years, Emily occasionally felt a pang of heartache when she thought of John.

Emily saw through Veda's vanity, so she thought of using James to make Veda let her guard down, and naturally, Veda fell into the trap.

What Emily wanted was for the Johnson family to despise Veda to the extreme.Suddenly,James grabbed Emily's hand, rubbing it in his palm, his eyes slightly intense. "You can't use these schemes on me. You have to be sincere with me." Emily blinked, then reached up to stroke James's chin,saying,"Ionly give my true feelings to pets. Mr. Smith, are you one too?" Gritting his teeth.James said,"Emily!"

Emily burst into laughter. Teasing James like this was always so much fun.

Emily had planned to draw design sketches in his office and give them to him directly, then head back to the company in the afternoon. But she didn't expect James to have such good stamina.

He didn't stop making love for a moment in thos