Chapter 222 He Is the First to Awaken, Right?
"You wanna know why I'm laughing? I'm laughing because some people just don't have what it takes, but they blame their emotions! The way you're defending Ronnie, anyone would think he's your boyfriend!"
Chase didn't hold back his mocking tone.
In the past, Bianca had been close to James, and he never saw anything wrong with it.
Back then, he thought Bianca was delicate, and that everyone around her, including James, should pamper her.
Even though James was Emily's fiancé, it didn't matter.
Now he realized how foolish he had been.
"Chase, I know you're upset, but trust me, once the results of this design competition come out, I'll clear your name. I have talent, and the online community has already forgotten about past events. We'll guide public opinion, and with the Johnson Group backing you, your reputation will be restored. Those businesses won't cancel their contracts, and you won't have to pay any penalties. You'll be the star again, the mx1!"
Bianca spoke as if everything was already a done deal.
This time, Chase shook his head, not falling for her tricks. "Bianca, if you wanna mess things up, do it yourself. Don't drag me into it. Besides, you're not even close to Emily's level of talent.
When Emily comes back, I'll personally apologize. You should also apologize to her publicly, or I'll admit everything myself. If it means breaking contracts and paying penalties, I'll just work harder for a few more years!"
Chase's expression was serious and determined.
It was clear he wasn't just saying it out of anger.
Bianca couldn't believe it.
"Chase, are you crazy? If you admit your mistakes, your career could be ruined. Can you really afford the penalties? You might end up working in the entertainment industry for the rest of your life! And don't go online and admit anything, it will also affect the Johnson Group!"
Bianca was desperate, her voice sharp.
Aiden, hearing the mention of the Johnson Group, looked at Chase disapprovingly.
Eli spoke up, "Chase, don't be impulsive. Let's wait until the competition is over. We're already overwhelmed with Hayden's situation, don't make things worse."
Chase looked at Eli, disappointed.
He tried to reason, "Dad, stop believing Bianca. She's gonna ruin you, the Johnson Group, and our family! I'm not listening to you anymore. I've made my decision."
Suddenly, Eli slapped Chase, "I said, you don't get to make decisions on your own. We'll talk after Bianca's competition!"
Chase looked at Eli, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Bianca was shocked.
She didn't expect Eli to hit Chase.
Quickly, she tried to play the good person, "Dad, don't blame Chase. He's just upset and talking nonsense. It's all my fault. Even though I had my reasons, I shouldn't have used Emily's song for Chase. Blame me!"
"Shut up! Stop pretending to be nice. If you really knew you were wrong, you would have apologized to Emily online already. You're so fake!"
Chase laughed—a crazed, unhinged laugh—as if he'd been pushed to the brink.
His behavior scared Eli and the others.
Without looking at them, Chase opened his arms and laughed wildly, then slowly walked upstairs. He returned to his room and slammed the door shut.
It was as if he had shut himself off from the rest of the Johnson family.
Bianca's eyes were red, and she wanted to apologize, but Eli rubbed his temples and said, "Don't worry about him. I'm tired, I'm going to rest."
Bianca looked at Aiden.
Aiden was about to say something when his phone rang. It was a call from his company.
"Mr. Johnson, it's bad. Ronnie got into a fight with Quinton!"
"What? I'll be right there!"
Ronnie was crucial to the project, but Quinton was also a veteran. Both were indispensable. How did things get this bad?
Aiden didn't have time to worry about Bianca's feelings. He said, "There's an emergency at the company, I have to go."
He quickly left.
Bianca, wanting to maintain her image of being understanding, didn't stop Aiden. Instead, she comforted him.
Once Aiden left, her expression turned cold.
She went to her room and made a phone call.
"Did you find out where James is?"
Since things didn't work out with Knox, she couldn't let James go.
James didn't know she had lost the baby.
She had two options: blame the miscarriage on James and use his guilt to get pregnant again, or keep James happy while finding a stronger backer.
Power was a good thing, she had seen how Emily behaved after getting close to Daniel. It was all because of Daniel's influence.
"It'll cost more. James is abroad, it's hard to track."
Bianca was already tight on money after spending a lot to deal with Emily. Now the investigator wanted more money.
"Are you trying to rip me off? Or are you just incompetent and trying to scam me?"
Bianca snapped.
The investigator got angry, "You can refuse to pay, but don't question my integrity. It affects our business. If you don't pay, don't blame us for exposing your secrets. I know a lot about you, Bianca. Like the time you went abroad and..."
"Shut up!"
Bianca interrupted angrily.
She didn't expect them to know about her secret trip abroad, where she had a wild night with two foreigners. She thought it was well-hidden.
This proved the investigator's skills were strong.
Which meant they could find anything she needed.
"I do my job and don't want enemies. But you better cooperate. Let's work pleasantly together, okay?"
The voice on the other end softened, giving Bianca a way out, but also a threat.
Bianca didn't act foolishly, "What you said stays between us. This should never come out. If you can do that, I'll pay extra."
The investigator smiled in the shadows, knowing they had won.
"Of course! We're very professional. Fifty thousand dollars more, and I'll give you James's location and a bonus piece of information."
"What?"
Bianca frowned, feeling a bad premonition.