Chapter 174 The Hunting Time
"James, that painting... it holds all our childhood memories. But you still take Bianca's side!"
Emily's voice was thick with sorrow.
It wasn't sorrow for James.
It was for the boy he once was, now lost forever.
"You never believed in me. We were never meant to be together!" Emily's tone was laced with a deep, indescribable disappointment.
James felt a sudden emptiness in his heart.
He had a bad feeling.
But it was too late now.
Emily turned to Bianca with a confident smile, "If I were you, I'd lay low after stealing someone's work. But I guess that's not your style. You love being the center of attention, adored by everyone, and can't stand anyone being better than you. Took me a while, but I finally realized you've been scheming against me all along. But a fake can never be real. If you weren't so lazy, you might've noticed some issues with my work and wouldn't be so sure it was yours."
Bianca didn't fully grasp what Emily was saying, but instinctively felt panic and immediately tried to deny it while playing the victim.
Emily had heard enough of Bianca's lies and didn't want to hear another word. Before Bianca could speak, Emily interrupted and pointed to a spot on the painting.
"I like to leave a unique mark on my work. This is it. 'Sq, Emily' is my signature. I disguised it well enough to blend with the painting, so it's not noticeable unless you look closely."
Everyone leaned in to examine the painting after hearing Emily's explanation.
It confirmed Emily's words.
It was over!
Bianca's mind went blank, filled with anger and fear, but she was powerless to change anything now.
She could feel the disdainful looks and hear the murmurs around her.
Bianca staggered back, looking as if she might faint.
Right, pretend to faint!
Bianca closed her eyes and tried to fall towards James.
Emily anticipated Bianca's move. As Bianca was about to close her eyes, Emily spoke, "I guess your next move to escape is to pretend to faint. Luckily, I'm prepared. I know a bit of medicine and can help you."
A silver needle appeared in Emily's hand.
James, hearing Emily's words and seeing Bianca fall towards him, instinctively stepped aside.
Bianca pretended not to hear Emily and continued to close her eyes and fall.
But this time, she didn't fall into James's arms. She fell to the ground.
Bianca cried out in pain, not just from the fall but also because she was pregnant.
The baby in her belly was also unfortunate.
Emily's needle was meant to scare Bianca. Seeing her condition now, considering the baby was a life too, Emily decided to help.
"Get away from me! I don't want your help..."
Bianca realized it was Emily helping her and looked very upset.
She feared Emily might harm her baby. Today's events would make James, who already didn't plan to marry her, even more distant.
Her only leverage was the baby in her belly. She couldn't let Emily harm it!
Bianca struggled to push Emily away.
"Stay still! If you want to save the baby, don't move!"
Emily's voice turned icy. "Stay still if you want to save the baby."
Bianca was genuinely scared by Emily's authority and stopped moving.
Emily took the opportunity to insert several needles into Bianca's acupuncture points.
Though Bianca didn't want to admit Emily's medical skills or believe she would save her baby, her body couldn't lie.
Bianca's complexion visibly improved, and the pain in her belly subsided.
Some onlookers, familiar with acupuncture, couldn't help but exclaim, "Such skilled technique! She's definitely an expert."
A talented artist who also excelled in medicine was someone everyone wanted to connect with.
Many people planned to introduce themselves to Emily once she finished treating Bianca.
"James, Bianca is carrying your child. Take her to the hospital immediately!"
Emily finished the acupuncture and looked at James, who stood there like a block of wood, reminding him coldly.
James snapped out of it at Emily's words. He regretted doubting Emily and wanted to reconcile with her. He immediately thought of denying the baby in Bianca's belly.
Emily saw through his intentions.
Before he could speak, she mocked him coldly, "If you dare to deny your child now, I'll despise you forever!"
Sophia voiced the crowd's thoughts, "Cheating and abandoning your child? Such a cold-hearted man should be avoided. You might get dragged down with him."
Others agreed, their disdainful looks directed at James.
James's face turned ugly. Embarrassed, he picked up Bianca and left.
Bianca was aware of everything. She hadn't expected James to be so heartless, turning his back on her when she was in such pain.
She suppressed her hatred and disappointment towards James and continued pretending to faint as he took her to the hospital.
The drama ended, and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Emily didn't act aloof. She exchanged contact information with those who approached her and seemed decent.
It was a step forward for her.
In her past life, she might have ignored them.
She had been rejected by the Johnson family, which made her self-conscious. But helping them forced her to become strong.
This made her somewhat awkward and gloomy, not very likable.
But in this life, surrounded by good people, she was healing and improving.
After exchanging contact information with the last person, Emily and Sophia left the scene but didn't leave the exhibition. They went to the backyard.
Two people were still detained there!
"We're not here to cause trouble. We really just wanted to photograph the painting. Can you let us go?"
These two were gossip reporters hired by Bianca. Seeing the situation turn, they tried to escape.
But Allan had arranged for them to be caught and brought to the backyard.
They were smart enough to know they were waiting for Emily. Seeing her, they immediately begged for mercy.
"Ms. Johnson, we were just doing our job, not targeting you. We promise we won't say anything about today. We're very discreet."
"No, I want you to spread the word!"
Emily shook her head with a smile.