Chapter 21 He Helped, But It Was in Vain
"This slap is for saving me that winter and not letting me freeze to death by the roadside."
Emily's voice was flat.
Aiden felt a twinge of regret after hitting her.
Seeing Emily's icy demeanor, his heart tightened unexpectedly.
But his face turned even colder. "Fine, since you put it that way, you owe me your life. Now, drop the charges."
Emily shook her head.
Aiden frowned.
Hayden yelled, "Emily, you ungrateful brat! We never stopped looking for you, and Bianca worried herself sick over you. And this is how you repay us? We should’ve left you out there to die!"
Those words were harsh.
Bianca tugged at Hayden's arm. "Hayden, Emily might just be upset. Don’t say that."
She turned to Emily with a gracious look. "Emily, if you want to blame someone, blame me. Don’t hold Hayden responsible, and don’t call the cops on him. I’ll take the punishment."
But a cold glint flashed in her eyes. She had no intention of taking the fall for Hayden.
She prided herself on being perfect and couldn't afford to be tarnished by Emily's accusations.
"No, if you have a problem, take it out on me. Bianca’s health is fragile. Do you really want to hurt her?"
As expected, Hayden, the fool, thought Bianca was doing it for him and immediately jumped in, "Yeah, Emily, don’t drag Bianca into this."
Having lived through this before, Emily saw it clearly.
She gave a cold smile and said seriously, "None of you will get away with this!"
In that moment, Bianca and Hayden felt a chill run down their spines.
Aiden’s face darkened, ready to say something.
Just then, a man in a suit carrying a briefcase walked in.
"Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Johnson?"
The newcomer looked like a professional, a corporate elite, with sharp eyes and a calm demeanor.
Emily frowned but didn’t step forward immediately.
Bianca hesitated, unsure whether to step forward.
Hayden shielded Bianca and coldly questioned the man, "Who are you? What do you want with Ms. Johnson?"
Aiden also watched the man warily, naturally moving to stand in front of Bianca.
They automatically assumed Bianca was the one to protect.
Emily was always the one ignored.
Emily felt a pang of self-pity.
Her heart still hurt involuntarily.
"I am a lawyer sent by Mr. Smith. I heard Ms. Johnson was having trouble at the police station and came to help her. Could you please tell me which one of you is Ms. Johnson?"
The man showed his business card as he spoke.
This was the police station; no one would dare impersonate someone sent by the Smith family.
They immediately believed him.
Bianca felt a surge of joy. Could it be that James found out?
Hayden and Aiden had the same thought.
Hayden patted Bianca's shoulder, reassuring and happy, "Looks like James sent his lawyer. Bianca, you don’t have to worry; it’ll be fine. And next time, don’t try to shield me, okay?"
Bianca nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Hayden, I couldn’t just watch you suffer. I’ll remember next time."
She stepped forward confidently, "Hello, I’m Bianca. I’ll leave it to you."
Aiden looked coldly at Emily. "Bianca's lawyer is here now. If you insist on pressing charges, don’t ever say we're family again. Pretend I never brought you back."
Emily's nails dug into her flesh.
She had considered that the Johnson family might call a lawyer, but she hadn't expected James to find out so quickly and send one to defend Bianca.
She knew Bianca wouldn't face any real punishment in the end. With a lawyer and no substantial evidence, and since she hadn't suffered any real harm, it was just a way to disgust Bianca and Hayden.
Bianca had always disgusted her before, flaunting herself in front of Emily.
"I wouldn't have it any other way!" Emily replied coldly, showing no regret.
Aiden's face turned cold, and he left with Bianca and Hayden.
"Emily, are you okay?"
Not long after Aiden and the others left, Sophia arrived at the police station with a lawyer.
Emily borrowed Sophia's lawyer.
The matter would now be a contest between the lawyers.
"I'm fine. Let's go. I'll pay the lawyer's fee," Emily said.
Sophia looked hurt. "Aren't we friends? Don't be so formal. He'll do his best."
Emily waited for the outcome.
But it was disappointing.
The Smith family's lawyer was excellent. Though he sympathized with Emily after understanding the situation, he had to protect his client's interests.
In the end, Bianca and Hayden faced no punishment.
Emily's mood was visibly low when she went to check on Daniel.
Even through his mask, Daniel could imagine her downcast expression.
"How is it?"
Charles asked nervously.
Emily didn't speak, diagnosing Daniel slowly, checking his complexion and tongue.
"You said you were uncomfortable? Describe your symptoms!"
Emily's tone was distant and cold.
Charles, facing Emily's strange mood, was unusually polite. "Doctor, he was in a lot of pain during the herbal bath, and the water turned black. I was worried..."
"That's normal. I mentioned this when I prescribed the treatment. He's detoxifying, and pain is expected! Next time, don't waste my time unless it's urgent!"
Emily said bluntly.
Last time, her attitude wasn't warm, but it wasn't as cold as now.
Charles frowned.
Daniel feared Charles might anger Emily.
He didn't know Charles had called Aaron about his condition. Though Daniel could sense his own body, Charles was still worried.
Daniel's voice was cool and magnetic. "Sorry, my friend was overly concerned. I feel much better... Your medical skills are truly impressive!"
He almost revealed her real name.
Daniel's eyes deepened, thinking about the lawyer he had sent.
This started when Charles called Aaron, worried about Daniel's condition.
Aaron revealed Emily's situation at the police station under pressure.
Daniel knew Emily's identity and sent a lawyer directly.
The lawyer hadn't reported back yet, but Emily was here.
"Continue the herbal baths. As for my skills, if I take a case, I can cure it, as long as you cooperate! And..."
Emily's eyes focused on Charles. "Don't create unnecessary trouble!"
Charles knew she was pointing at him and stayed silent.
Emily packed her medical kit and prepared to leave.
Her phone rang, and she saw the number, her face darkening.
"Mr. Johnson, what's the matter?" She lowered her voice and changed her tone.
On the other end, Eli had just returned from a business trip and heard about Emily's actions, angrily calling her. Her greeting nearly made him explode.
"You brat, I'm your father! What did you call me?" Eli's voice was loud.
It pierced through the phone, audible to Charles and Daniel.
Emily walked out, speaking coldly, "If you're calling to scold me, I'll hang up!"