Chapter 81

His heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

"But I just like you. I just want to be with you." Veda suddenly dropped to her knees in front of John, not caring about the crowd around them.

She clung to his hand, her eyes red and pitiful, making everyone around feel the urge to protect her.

Veda was always so proud in front of others. She never acted like this,throwing her dignity aside.

John was already on edge today because of the jewelry exhibition.And now, with Veda and all these people around, he felt like he was about to break.

He realized he didn't like Veda at all. He didn't like her weakness, her timidity, or her personality.

Thinking carefully, he found that Veda didn't have any qualities that stood out to him. She had been with him for twelve years longer than Emily,but he never had feelings for her.

If he hadn't found out that Emily had given her virginity to someone else,he wouldn't have gotten drunk and given Veda a chance to be close to him.

He yanked his hand away from Veda and slapp ed her across the face without thinking.The sting in his palm brought him back to his senses. He looked at Veda coldly and said, "I said we're breaking up. Can't you understand it?" Veda felt the burning pain on her face. She looked up, her eyes bloodshot. "John, you can't treat me like this."

John felt even more irritated.

Because of the slap, more people gathered to watch. John furrowed his brow,feeling a headache coming on.

"Mr. Williams, what kind of show are you putting on at the entrance of my company?"

A mocking voice came from behind, making John's back stiffen. He didn't expect James to show up.

He turned around to see James walking towards him slowly,with Eric and a bunch of other rich kids following. They all had that air of superiority.

They were involved in the jewelry exhibition project too. John had a feeling that not all the buildings were meant for selling jewelry.

If the land in the east of the city got developed, it could boost the economy of the whole Emerald City.

Apart from James, John didn't think much of these people,so his expression was cold.

Brian raised an eyebrow. Since the last time he got punched by James, he knew James was serious about Emily. As long as he didn't get in James's way with her, James was indifferent to his other antics. He spoke up, "What kind of drama is the daughter of the Johnson family putting on here? You're actually kneeling? How embarrassing! Are all the Johnsons this shameless?" When Brian said this, the crowd laughed. Veda's cheeks flushed with a mix of shame and rage.

John pressed his lips together, not wanting these people to see him as a joke. Lately, his reputation as a golden boy took a nosedive, and his self-esteem crumbled. This really got to him

Veda couldn't take it anymore. She slowly stood up, wanting to hide behind John. But John stepped away from her.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Veda's eyes. She gritted her teeth,

looked up at James, and said, "Mr. Smith, let's talk."

Brian warned James, "Watch out. She seems to be up to something."

James stayed quiet. John frowned but didn't say anything either.

Brian and the others gave James and Vedasome space.

Veda looked at James and asked, "Mr. Smith, are you really that concerned about Emily?"

James wasn't keen on talking to Veda, but when she mentioned Emily,it piqued his interest. He was curious to know what kind of trick Veda might pull to tarnish her reputation.

A sly smile crept onto Veda's face. "Mr. Smith, you've known Emily for less than a month. Maybe you're just dazzled by her looks. Do you really know what kind of person she is?" James narrowed his eyes, his expression cool. "Ms. Johnson, I'm not as gullible as John, who falls for your petty schemes." Veda smirked. "Mr. Smith, you wronged me; I'm just telling you some truth. Emily is beautiful. Since high school,boys have always flocked to her. She loves being the center of attention, so it's no surprise that despite being married, she still seduced you."

She thought James was still clueless about the truth that Emily never had a marriage certificate. So she deliberately reminded James that Emily was married,betting that it would bother him.

However, in her jealousy and anger, Veda forgot that James had already declared Emily as his girlfriend at her birthday party. So it didn't matter to James if Emily was married or not.

James saw right through Veda's game. His gaze turned contemptuous.

Veda couldn't meet his piercing eyes, which seemed to see right through her.

James chuckled. "You don't know if they're married, but I do. You've been with John for three years and didn't know he faked a marriage. It shows that in John's heart, you'll always be the side piece."

He continued, "It's one thing for others to see you as a mistress, but even John sees you that way. He could have married you, but he didn't. I've seen plenty of mistresses, but someone as low-class as you is a first."

As James kept calling her a mistress, Veda's face grew paler, especially with the slap mark on her cheek, making her look even more pathetic.

Veda clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. James's words shattered her. She took a deep breath and said coldly, "Do you think Emily really loves you? No,she loves John. Three years ago, she was willing to die for him.She's just using you to make John change his mind." She added, "Mr. Smith, are you okay with being used by her? Emily was only interested in your status from the start. Why are you so hung up on her?"

Veda didn't think someone like James would have a sexual relationship with Emily.

After all, Emily had always been dignified, and it was hard to imagine her being intimate with James, especially considering how short their acquaintance had been.

As long as Emily stopped bothering John, Veda wouldn't keep targeting her.

But if James and Emily were really together, things would only get tougher for Veda.