Chapter 9: Trash Unwanted, Do You Think I'm a Junk Collector?
"Emily, you haven't mentioned anything about dropping out of a competition. What competition? I didn't even know you signed up for anything," Bianca asked, sounding a bit jittery.
She seemed genuinely worried about Emily. Only Emily knew what Bianca was really thinking—probably afraid Emily might be in some competition she didn't know about and suddenly outshine her.
"It's nothing, just a medical competition. But I've already decided to withdraw," Emily replied casually.
"Why did you decide to enter that competition? Was it because Bianca signed up too? I've told you, you don't need to compete with Bianca in everything. She's so outstanding, it's normal that you can't match up to her," James said, clearly aware that Bianca had signed up for the competition.
He even knew why she signed up. Bianca had said she wanted to help him. If she won the top prize, she would have the chance to study under a renowned doctor and eventually become the family doctor for Daniel Smith, the head of the Smith family.
Rumor had it that Daniel suffered from a strange illness, falling seriously ill at the beginning of each month, experiencing drastic personality changes, and even rumored to have bloodthirsty tendencies. If she could recommend James, he might become the real leader of the Smith family.
Such a terrifying illness, and she was willing to risk her own safety for him. "James, don't talk to Emily like that. Maybe she just wants to gain some experience. After all, she has learned some medical skills from a country doctor," Bianca quickly interjected.
But her words subtly conveyed that Emily only knew a little bit about medicine and dared to sign up for the competition, making a fool of herself.
James' face darkened. After all, when Emily signed up, she was still his fiancée, which would only embarrass him. Compared to Bianca, who was wholeheartedly trying to help him, Emily was just dragging him down.
"Emily, can you stop embarrassing the Johnson family and James? At least you have the sense to withdraw now," Eli coldly reprimanded, seeing James' expression darken. "You should spend more time learning from Bianca, focusing on growing and improving yourself, rather than competing."
Emily remained silent, her face cold. Whether she participated or withdrew, they would look down on her. In her previous life, to gain the Johnson family's approval, she had thought about competing alongside Bianca to show them she was also outstanding. But she held back, worried that performing too well might upset Bianca.
In this life, she wouldn't compromise herself for Bianca's fragile ego.
"What's all this noise? Didn't you say you wanted to be my student? Such lack of discipline!" Suddenly, John's angry voice boomed.
Everyone knew who it was. Bianca's face changed, suspecting Emily had done this on purpose to make John revoke the promised spot.
"Mr. Williams, I'm sorry. My family was worried that Emily's participation in the medical competition would be embarrassing, given she only learned from a country doctor for a couple of days. We didn't mean to disturb you. I apologize on behalf of my family," Bianca said, appearing understanding and responsible.
James glared at Emily, displeased. He had been learning painting from John for a while, and John had always been kind to him. He believed he had earned John's favor, so he stepped forward.
"Mr. Williams, Bianca is truly kind-hearted and has a real talent for painting. You should take a look. I believe you wouldn't want to miss out on such a good student."
Prompted by James, Bianca presented her best painting. It was a particularly clean and healing piece, making one feel as if they were in a fairy tale world.
John took the painting with a cold face, intending to glance at it and dismiss it, but he was immediately captivated.
Seeing John's reaction, the Johnson family was thrilled. Bianca relaxed and exchanged a smile with James. James nodded at her, reassuring her that everything was going smoothly.
They seemed confident that becoming John's student was a sure thing. Emily was practically forgotten.
A flash of sarcasm crossed Emily's eyes. Bianca dared to blatantly present her work in front of her, assuming she had no evidence.
Unfortunately for Bianca, she didn't know that in her previous life, Emily had a habit of leaving hidden symbols in her paintings. John was aware of this.
Just as everyone was basking in the joy of impending success, John carefully closed the painting. His expression changed instantly, coldly saying, "With this level of skill, you think you're fit to be my student? Do you think I'm here to collect trash?"
Bianca's face turned extremely pale, the immense humiliation nearly causing her to lose control and lash out. She dug her nails into her palms to steady herself, her eyes red and her body shaking as if she might faint.
Naturally, someone stepped in to defend her.
"Mr. Williams, you were clearly impressed by the painting. Why would you say such humiliating words to Bianca? Did Emily say something to slander Bianca? Although she saved you, she can be narrow-minded and jealous of Bianca. Those things she said aren't true," Eli hurriedly spoke, directly belittling Emily in front of outsiders.
He even reached out to grab Emily, "Tell Mr. Williams that you willingly gave up the spot. Why would Mr. Williams misunderstand Bianca?"
Emily had anticipated Eli's desperate actions and moved behind John, avoiding his grasp.
James looked at Emily with disappointment, furrowing his brow as he stepped forward.
"Mr. Williams, I've seen Bianca's painting too. You taught me to feel the painting, understand its soul, and connect with it. This painting does all that. It's a good painting, why would you deny it?" James didn't understand.
It must be that Emily had somehow deceived John using the favor she earned by saving him. Bianca's painting was exceptional, even at the highest level.
"You people are shameless. Are you trying to force the teacher to accept Bianca as a student? The teacher isn't her mom, why should he indulge her!" Sophia, who had been receiving John's guidance inside, emerged to defend him.
"What are you doing here?" Bianca blurted out upon seeing Sophia. She glanced at Emily, noticing Emily looking kindly at Sophia. Previously, Emily had always clashed with Sophia to defend Bianca.
Bianca's eyes flickered coldly. James caught the key point, "You called Mr. Williams 'teacher'? When did you become his student?"
Sophia proudly lifted her head, "Just now!"
James immediately recalled Emily's words from earlier and understood. So, Emily had given the spot to Sophia and brought Bianca here to make a fool of herself?
"You never intended to give the spot to Bianca, did you?" James questioned.
Eli became agitated and tried to hit Emily, "You ungrateful person, the Johnson family raised you for nothing."
"Keep causing trouble, and get out!" John stood in front of Emily, preventing Eli from succeeding. He coldly reprimanded them.
Eli, for Bianca's sake, restrained himself and urgently spoke to John, "Mr. Williams, I can't believe you can't see the quality of this painting. I've seen Sophia's work, and it's definitely not as good as Bianca's. People say you have principles, but it seems that's not entirely true. This is very unfair!"
"Unfair? Then let Mr. Williams set a topic, and have Bianca and Sophia paint on the spot. That will show if Mr. Williams is fair and principled," Emily suddenly suggested.
After all, John's reputation couldn't be tarnished by accusations of lacking principles and fairness because of her.
"Fine!" Eli and James responded simultaneously, blocking Bianca's way.