Chapter 201: Mason's Change in Attitude
"Daniel, what's going on here?"
Vance and Soren were both chatting with Mason, but their minds were clearly elsewhere.
Vance craned his neck, puzzled. Wasn't Veda supposed to be picking someone up? Why was it taking so long?
Then he saw Daniel appear.
To his surprise, Daniel wasn't alone, nor was he walking side by side with Zoey in a picture-perfect scene.
He was accompanied by Emily.
Vance shot a quick glance at Mason, then hurried over to Daniel, clearly nervous.
His scrutinizing gaze landed on Emily. "Emily, today isn't the best day for this. Even if you're serious about marrying Daniel, there's no rush. You might end up regretting it!"
He gave Emily a pointed reminder.
"Thanks for the warning!"
Emily smiled, leaving Vance stunned.
She had already walked past him and stood in front of Mason.
Emily handed a small box of pills to Mason. "Mr. Smith, I left in a hurry last time and couldn't prepare properly. I heard you're not feeling well, so I brought these specially for your health."
Emily's smile was serene as she looked at Mason.
These pills were made from a prescription to treat Mason's illness.
She had learned from Daniel that Mason hated taking medicine, so she made them into pills instead.
Mason, being sharp as ever, immediately realized that the pills were to detoxify him. Despite feeling somewhat resentful, he had decided to listen to Daniel and didn't show it. Just as he was about to take the pills, Veda snatched the box away.
Emily had anticipated such a move. As Veda reached out, Emily grabbed her wrist.
"Ow, ow, Emily, you witch, let go!"
Veda's face contorted in pain, and she forgot all decorum, cursing loudly.
Soren, seeing Veda in pain, became anxious.
"Emily, let go! This is the Smith Villa, not the Johnson Villa or some dump where you can act wild. If you hurt Veda, don't blame us for being rude!"
Veda's mother immediately warned Emily.
Soren also looked at Mason, "Grandpa, even if you want to give Daniel some respect and keep peace in the family, you can see how Emily's behaving. She can't stay in the Smith Villa today!"
Raina, without a say in the matter, gave Emily a warning look, subtly advising her to let go before Veda got seriously hurt.
Zoey couldn't hold back and tried to pry Emily's hand off Veda.
"Emily, even if you're a guest, this is too much. Veda has been pampered since childhood, unlike your rough past. Let go of Veda now, or Mr. Mason Smith and Mr. Soren Smith will get angry, and you and the Johnson family will pay the price. Even if Daniel wants to protect you, you shouldn't drag him down with your recklessness!"
Zoey believed her righteous stance only highlighted Emily's shortcomings. She glanced at Daniel, as if to say she was the better partner.
Emily was just causing trouble.
Seeing Zoey's nails scrape Emily's hand, leaving a mark, Daniel's eyes turned icy.
He stepped forward and, not wanting to dirty his hands, nudged Zoey away with his elbow.
Zoey, feeling the pain, instinctively let go of Emily's hand. Shocked by Daniel's sudden move, she stumbled and fell to the ground.
Tears welled up in Zoey's eyes, "Daniel..."
Daniel ignored her and turned coldly to Veda, taking the pill box. "Let go!"
His command was sharp and authoritative.
Veda, who usually had the nerve to speak up to Daniel and even act spoiled, was terrified by his stern tone.
She instinctively let go.
Emily also released Veda's wrist and calmly said, "Veda, it's best not to touch things that aren't yours. I'm a doctor, and not everything I carry is safe. It could be poison, and that would be dangerous for you."
A blatant threat.
"You!"
Veda couldn't do anything to Daniel, but she could to Emily, right? She glared at Emily, ready to retort, but Emily's narrowed eyes silenced her.
Daniel handed the box to Mason, "These pills are precious. If you drop them, there won't be any more."
Mason understood that Daniel was defending Emily and felt a mix of anger and helplessness. He couldn't argue because Emily had made the pills out of respect for Daniel.
Mason huffed.
Soren, thinking Mason was displeased with Emily, spoke up, "Daniel, even if you value Emily, you shouldn't blindly trust her. Grandpa's illness has stumped many doctors. How could she have a miracle cure? You're being foolish!"
Vance chimed in, "Exactly, Daniel. Grandpa's health isn't something to play with. What expertise does Ms. Johnson have?"
Raina stood silently, deep in thought.
Emily, confident, said, "Vance, Soren, how can you doubt my medical skills? I learned from a village doctor during my travels. These pills will strengthen Mr. Smith's body, improving his immunity and overall health."
Her spirited declaration swept over the room.
Raina's tense expression relaxed upon hearing about Emily's medical training.
The others, however, were infuriated by Emily's "blind confidence."
"Grandpa, did you hear that? She learned some basic skills from a village doctor and dares to treat you. She's trying to show off without knowing her limits!"
"Grandpa, you can't take these pills!"
"Mr. Smith, if you need health supplements, I know a classmate from a family of renowned doctors. I'll get you better pills. Don't take these."
Zoey seized the moment, urgently advising Daniel, "Daniel, all medicine has risks. You can't endanger Mason's health for Ms. Johnson's sake!"
"Enough!"
Mason finally spoke, "Emily meant well. Don't make her out to be a villain. That's enough."
No one expected Mason to openly defend Emily.
He even said to her, "We had some misunderstandings before. Come with Daniel to my study, and I'll give you a proper welcome gift!"