Chapter 80 Ophelia
"James, Mr. Smith's just temporarily fooled. You gotta get it together and not let her deceive you. What we need to do now is enter this competition and become Daniel's therapist. That way, I'll have a chance to show everyone Emily's true colors."
Bianca's eyes were filled with determination as she tried to encourage James.
If she couldn’t get close to Daniel, why should Emily get to?
If she could make everyone despise Emily once, she could definitely make Daniel hate her now.
James frowned. Something felt off. Bianca seemed unusually opinionated about Emily today. Was it because of him? Or had she always been like this?
James looked at Bianca with a puzzled expression. "Bianca, do you actually have feelings for Emily or something?"
"James, what are you talking about? Do you think I was too harsh on Emily just now? I only said those things because I'm worried about what she's been up to lately. I spoke out of concern, that's all."
Bianca felt a wave of panic but tried to stay calm as she replied.
James still looked troubled. "Sorry, I didn't mean to overstep. But Emily is my fiancée. Let's not dwell on this for now. Just focus on the competition."
With that, he walked off in the direction Emily had gone.
As she watched James leave, anger and madness flashed in Bianca's eyes. "Emily might be your fiancée, but what about me?"
At this point, James could only belong to her.
Meanwhile, Emily was already in the lounge with Daniel.
Emily was assertive. "Sit down, let me check you out first!"
York and the competition's organizer, Leroy Hamilton, arrived just in time to see this.
York had noticed that Daniel treated Emily differently and was slowly getting used to their dynamic. But Leroy gasped. He had just learned about the situation on his way over and was now drenched in sweat from the short run. He hadn't expected to be so shocked upon arrival.
"Mr. Smith..."
He was about to say something when Emily shot him a sharp look and motioned for silence.
When Emily treated a patient, her entire demeanor changed. It was as if only she and Daniel existed in the world.
Moments later, she finished her diagnosis.
"Didn't I tell you not to overexert yourself? And yet you flew here anyway. You're not following medical advice. If you keep this up, no one will be able to save you."
Emily frowned, thinking about the extra herbs and time this would cost. She resolved not to take on such patients in the future.
Daniel, seemingly unfazed by her stern demeanor, spoke calmly. "When did you say that?"
Emily remembered she had said it while treating him before. But she lied smoothly, "Since I was the recommended doctor, she naturally told me. Besides, with your poisoning and weak body, rest is necessary, Mr. Smith. Follow the doctor's orders to recover quickly."
She almost slipped up but caught herself in time. Fortunately, there was no major issue now.
Daniel, looking casual, seemed to be explaining his presence. "This competition is hosted by the Smith Group. The best participants will have the chance to care for me, to prevent any further poisoning attempts."
Emily nodded. She suddenly understood why Bianca was so determined to enter this competition. In her past life, it was after this competition that Bianca's resources visibly improved. Otherwise, how could she have married James so easily later on?
"But..."
Just as Emily was about to stop lecturing, Daniel shifted the topic.
Emily frowned and looked up, meeting Daniel's deep, vortex-like eyes.
"With someone as skilled as Ms. Johnson, there's no need for anyone else."
Daniel's smile widened, his eyes full of admiration.
Being looked at like that, even Emily's heart couldn't help but race.
She quickly looked away and stood up. "The competition is starting. I need to go and fulfill my duties as a judge."
"Alright."
Daniel didn’t stop her. But as he watched her slightly hurried steps, his smile grew.
Emily felt the gaze on her back, making her feel warm all over. Her steps became more flustered, and she almost bumped into James at the door.
"Emily!"
James stopped her.
Emily frowned. "What do you want now? Isn’t my attitude clear enough? Or do you need another reminder of the pain from your last injury?"
Her gaze fell on James's face, full of threat.
James instinctively covered his face. Noticing Emily's mocking look, he lowered his hand and spoke as calmly as he could.
"Sorry, I didn’t know you were a judge. You never told me, your fiancé, that you had medical skills. My questioning was out of concern for you. I underestimated you. Since you have a talent, focus on it. Stop fixating on Bianca. She's excellent and doesn’t hinder you."
So he came to speak for Bianca. He must truly love Bianca. Their childhood bond was just a shared hardship. Human nature prefers the comfort of the present over the struggles of the past.
"Tell that to Bianca. I never wanted to outshine her. If she keeps targeting me, don’t blame me for retaliating."
Emily retorted.
James frowned, finding Emily unreasonable. Despite his words, she still blamed Bianca.
"Just coexist peacefully. Today, don’t target Bianca. She’s prepared for this competition for a long time."
Emily chuckled. This was James's real purpose.
"You’re worried I'll be an unfair judge? No need to beat around the bush. As long as she behaves, I won’t target her. She doesn’t deserve my effort."
With that, Emily pushed past James and walked out.
James suddenly called out, "Emily, when we return, we need to talk! I never truly wanted to cancel our engagement!"
Emily paused but didn’t look back. Now, it wasn’t that he didn’t want her; it was that she didn’t want him. She didn’t need a man like him.
Emily took her seat at the judges' table as the competition began.
Bianca glanced at Emily, meeting her smiling eyes. Her hand shook, and she felt a flicker of panic. Emily better not pull any tricks.
Focusing back on the herbs, Bianca concentrated. With hundreds of herbs, Bianca was confident. At first, she identified them quickly and accurately, but as time passed, it became increasingly difficult. The difficulty increased. Bianca believed other contestants felt the same.
After identifying all the herbs, rankings were based on accuracy and the number identified. To her surprise, there was a tie for first place. Wren came in second.
Bianca noticed a quiet girl next to her, who seemed calm and in control. This girl might be her biggest rival.
Emily also noticed the quiet girl, named Ophelia Blake.
"Emily, how should we handle the tie? Should we give the same score or decide differently?"
Beside her, Joe Watson, one of the medical experts who invited her to judge, asked.