Chapter 163 Coward, Not Speaking When It's Time to Speak
"Grandpa, you gotta stand up for me!"
As soon as Veda saw Mason, her whole attitude changed.
When Mason and his group came down the stairs, she ran straight into his arms, whining and showing off the side of her face that had been slapped. "If you hadn't shown up, Emily would've killed me. I've never been treated like this before."
"What happened?"
Mason's eyes landed on the finger marks on Veda's face. Though he didn't jump to conclusions, his expression turned colder as he looked at Emily.
"What do you think happened? Grandpa, look at my face. This woman came to our house for the first time, and I was just trying to be nice and give her some pointers. She went nuts and slapped me. If it weren't for the bodyguards, she would've hit me again!"
Veda shook Mason's arm, eager to accuse Emily. "Grandpa, someone like her, with no manners, who used to pick up trash, should be kicked out right away. She shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the Smith family!"
She threw a challenging look at Emily.
Her words were harsh. If Mason agreed and issued such an order, Emily would have no chance with Daniel.
Everyone around, whether curious, smug, or worried, turned their attention to Emily.
Mason, although he favored Veda, knew better than to make a rash decision at such a significant family gathering.
"What do you have to say?"
"Grandpa..."
"Quiet, let her speak!"
Mason interrupted Veda, his gaze intense and fixed on Emily. "Did you slap Veda?"
Emily had thought Mason was fair, but his question showed his true colors.
She glanced apologetically at Daniel, then met Mason's eyes without a hint of fear. "Yeah, I slapped her."
"Alright, since you admit it, that's a start. Your actions show a lack of proper upbringing. As a guest in our home, you shouldn't have hit a member of the household. Considering your age, just apologize to Veda, and I won't take this any further."
Mason had spoken.
Veda stomped her foot in frustration. "An apology isn't enough! I didn't get slapped for nothing. She should kneel and take at least ten, no, twenty slaps!"
"Enough!"
Daniel's icy glare silenced Veda immediately.
She looked hurt but didn't dare say another word.
Daniel walked over to Emily, his concern obvious. "Are you alright? Did you suffer any grievances?"
His clear favoritism towards Emily was undeniable.
Everyone noticed how much Daniel cared for Emily, and many who had mocked her earlier began to feel uneasy, shrinking back to avoid any fallout.
Emily smiled at Daniel and shook her head. "I'm fine! I won't let myself be mistreated."
"You still have the nerve to talk! Daniel, are you seriously going to defend this deceitful woman? She doesn’t deserve you. She acts all sweet in front of you but is vicious behind your back!"
"Veda, have I been too lenient with you, letting you act so disrespectfully?"
Daniel's cold gaze shifted to Veda. "Emily is my girlfriend, which makes her your elder. Is this how you treat your elders?"
"She's no elder! She's just a trash picker. Daniel, how could someone as smart as you be fooled by her?"
Veda felt utterly humiliated, glaring venomously at Emily with reddened eyes.
Mason also looked disapprovingly at Daniel. "Daniel, you are Veda's brother. Criticizing her for an outsider is inappropriate."
He then turned his stern gaze to Emily. "Your presence has disrupted our gathering. You and Daniel are not suitable for each other."
Daniel's expression darkened, and he was about to speak again.
Emily stopped him, shaking her head to indicate she would handle it.
She met Mason's eyes with a composed smile. "Mr. Smith, do you think we're unsuitable because I slapped Veda? Even if Veda herself was out of line, you still think this way? If so, then the Smith family's education indeed has significant issues."
The Smith family, a prestigious lineage, prided itself on its reputation and cultural heritage.
Emily's challenge didn't sit well with Mason or the other family members, who looked at her with a mix of skepticism and hostility.
The tension in the air was palpable.
Veda, however, felt triumphant, thinking Emily had foolishly incited the family's ire, ensuring she would never marry into the Smith family.
"You better have a good reason, or the Smith family's reputation won't tolerate your questioning and defamation!"
Mason's voice was icy.
"If what I said is true, Veda should apologize and compensate. But first, you need to provide evidence, or someone here must vouch for you."
Emily knew Mason was biased towards Veda and felt a pang of disappointment. She also realized that under Mason's and Veda's intimidating glares, even the just would hesitate to support her.
Unexpectedly, James, who had previously stayed out of the fray, spoke up. "Emily, just apologize to Veda. Your lack of experience and low emotional intelligence led you to act out of place."
He acted as if he had the authority to speak for Emily and then addressed Mason. "Great-Grandpa, Emily is young and has had a difficult past. She's sensitive and not very bright, which caused this... Can we let it slide this time?"
"Coward. Who needs your help?" Emily looked at James with disdain.