Chapter 162: Endure Humiliation, That Is Impossible
"Idiot!"
Emily snapped at James with a look of pure disdain.
Ignoring his sour expression, she grabbed his arm and yanked him aside, facing Veda head-on again.
"I didn't need him to shield me from a slap because..."
Emily suddenly raised her hand and smacked Veda across the face.
"Because in situations like this, I always hit back directly. Who wants to take it lying down like him?"
"How dare you!"
"You actually slapped Veda! This is insane."
The onlookers finally reacted, realizing Veda had been slapped, and immediately started condemning Emily.
Veda had never been so humiliated. She touched her swollen cheek but didn't rush to hit back herself. Instead, she glared at Emily as if she were already dead and ordered her butler, "What are you standing there for? Grab this crazy woman! A nobody dares to hit me!"
She had already assumed Emily came from a poor background. Otherwise, she wouldn't be so uncivilized. Besides, if Emily had any status, someone from a prominent family would have recognized her.
At Veda's command, a few suited bodyguards immediately entered.
Many onlookers were gleefully watching the drama unfold, though a gentle girl spoke up, "Veda, you did try to hit her first. Maybe let her apologize, and we can call it even. After all, Daniel did bring her here."
The speaker was a relative of the Smith family. Though not particularly favored due to having several daughters before a son, Raina was skilled at making people feel at ease.
Her words carried weight, and some people nodded in agreement.
Veda was unwilling but Raina's words reminded her, "Am I supposed to just take this slap? I've never been treated like this! An apology is not enough."
James noticed Veda was considering Raina's words. He gratefully glanced at Raina before grabbing Emily's wrist, "Emily, stop making a scene. This isn't the Johnson Villa. No one can really back you up here. Take this chance while Veda is willing to let it go, slap yourself, and apologize."
He leaned closer and whispered, "Emily, you're lucky someone is speaking up for you. If you don't do it, I can't protect you, and Daniel won't go against Veda for you. She's the most favored girl in the Smith family."
"Don't get so close. Your breath stinks!"
Before James could continue, Emily stepped back, pulling her hand free from his grip.
James was furious. How could Emily be so stupid? Couldn't she see he was trying to help her? Did she really think getting close to Daniel meant she could do whatever she wanted?
"James, it seems you two are quite familiar. Is she from the Johnson family, where your ex-fiancée is from? Or is she your ex-fiancée, a woman who picks up trash?"
Veda's words insulted James too. After all, if he had chosen a woman who picked up trash as a fiancée, it didn't reflect well on him.
The onlookers immediately started gossiping.
"This woman has some skills. With a background like that, she was lucky to be James' fiancée. How did she catch Daniel's eye?"
"Daniel defended her earlier. Could it be because of her connection to James? What did she do to make Daniel treat her like this?"
"Probably because of her looks, maybe in bed?"
"Watch your mouth! If Daniel hears, you'll pay for it!"
Everyone thought Emily had some tricks up her sleeve.
Veda couldn't believe Daniel would genuinely like Emily.
"Veda, Emily and I have broken off our engagement."
James couldn't bear the humiliation any longer and spoke up. Many people knew his story, so he added, "Before I returned to the Smith family, we were neighbors and childhood sweethearts, which led to our engagement."
He didn't mention how the engagement was broken off, knowing it was his fault.
Veda figured Emily was relying on their past relationship and, after breaking off the engagement, tried to get close to Daniel.
"Emily, if you want my forgiveness, first, kneel and apologize. Second, promise to stay away from Daniel!"
Veda demanded.
Raina sighed and advised Emily kindly, "Ms. Johnson, compared to what you did to Veda, these aren't unreasonable demands. You should listen. The consequences might be more than you can handle otherwise."
She even winked at Emily, as if saying, "A wise person knows when to back down."
Emily, skilled in reading people and a bit of face reading, could tell if someone was sincere. This woman's thin upper lip and sharp eyes suggested she wasn't genuinely kind-hearted. Though some people could change over time, this woman's smile seemed fake.
Emily didn't call her out but remained cautious. She politely thanked Raina, "Thanks for the advice, but I'll pass!"
Turning to Veda, she said, "What if I don't agree to any of your demands?"
Veda's eyes turned icy as she coldly ordered, "If she won't kneel, make her. Let's see how tough her knees are."
"I thought having her kneel would be enough, but it seems a slap is necessary. Maybe then she'll listen!"
At her command, the bodyguards approached Emily.
James watched, lips tight, eyes full of worry, but he didn't move. Clenching his fists, he thought, "I'm trying to help her, but she's being ungrateful. Let her suffer a bit and realize the reality. Maybe then she'll see the threats and obstacles she'll face with Daniel. It might be easier to win her back afterward."
As the bodyguards closed in, Emily showed no fear. Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, she struck.
No one saw how it happened, but the bodyguards were suddenly on the ground.
Emily stepped on one of their chests, smirking at Veda, "You like making people kneel? Why don't you try it?"
She was about to step towards Veda when Raina quickly blocked her path, "Ms. Johnson, please, calm down!"
Veda, now completely losing control, screamed, "You dare cause trouble in the Smith Villa? Where are the other guards? Grab this woman!"
Veda, usually composed, now looked like a madwoman.
"What's going on here?"
At that moment, several authoritative men stood at the top of the staircase, with Mason and Daniel at the front.
Mason, despite his age, spoke with commanding presence, "What is the meaning of this commotion in my house?"