Chapter 9

James shot Emily a cold glance, not bothering to respond, and headed straight to the study.

As soon as he entered, he saw Aiden sitting sternly at the desk, his face dark with anger. "Where the hell have you been?"

Ignoring Aiden's fury, James casually sat on the sofa, crossing his legs lazily. "What, do I need to report my every move to you now?"

"What kind of attitude is that?" Aiden glared at James. "You're a married man now. You need to keep your distance from other women. Emily is your wife!"

James's expression turned colder. Emily must have complained to Aiden again. She hadn't taken his words seriously.

Seeing James remain silent, Aiden slammed his hand on the desk and roared, "I'm talking to you! Did you hear me?"

Tired of Aiden's ranting, James stood up, hands in his pockets. "You don't need to worry about my business. Just take care of yourself."

Without giving Aiden a chance to respond, James opened the door and walked out.

"Get back here!" Aiden shouted at his retreating figure, but the only response was the sound of the door closing.

"Ungrateful son! Ungrateful son! Ungrateful son!" Aiden fumed, repeating the words three times in anger.

David stepped forward to calm Aiden down. "Don't get too worked up, sir. You know Mr. Smith has always been like this."

"What kind of attitude was that? Does he even see me as his father anymore?"

David sighed helplessly. Ever since Mr. Smith came home from school at nine years old and never saw Ava again, their father-son relationship had deteriorated. As soon as he turned eighteen, he moved out. If it weren't for the wedding requiring him to stay at the Smith Manor for a few days, they wouldn't see each other more than a few times a year.

As James exited the study, he ran into Emily.

Seeing her clean, delicate face, and thinking about how she had complained to Aiden again, a surge of anger rose within him. His gaze at her was almost fiery.

Feeling uncomfortable under his intense stare, Emily raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like that? What did your father say to you?"

From his expression, it was clear the conversation hadn't gone well.

"Emily, did you forget everything from last night? Stop testing my patience!"

James gritted his teeth, his clenched fists making a creaking sound.

Sensing the cold aura emanating from him, Emily shivered.

But then she thought, she hadn't done anything wrong. Why should she be afraid of him? Was he mad because she interrupted him and Mia in the garden?

"Are you mad because of Mia?"

"You dare mention her!" After complaining to Aiden, she still had the nerve to bring up Mia in front of him. Was she not afraid of death?

"Is it that serious? I could book a room for you two tonight so you can 'love' each other all you want. I promise not to disturb you."

James's temple veins throbbed, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged. He growled in a hoarse voice, "Emily, say that again if you dare!"

Seeing he was genuinely angry, Emily got a bit scared and instinctively tried to dodge, but he grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her close. "You've repeatedly tested my limits. Do you think I won't act against you or the Johnson family?"

Her heart pounded with fear as she met his fiery gaze.

Before she could speak, Aiden's stern voice came from behind, "James, what are you doing?"

Looking up, James saw Aiden standing at the top of the stairs. He frowned and released Emily.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Emily cursed James silently from head to toe.

"Dad, I'm fine. Don't blame James. It's my fault for not doing well in front of Ms. Wilson today and making him angry."

Emily lowered her head slightly, her eyes red with grievance, making anyone who saw her feel sorry for her.

James was amused by her act. She had two faces.

In front of him, she was a fierce little wildcat, but in front of Aiden, she was a sweet, obedient girl. Truly cunning!

Already displeased with James's involvement with Mia, Aiden got even angrier hearing this.

He tapped his cane forcefully on the ground, glaring at James. "You dare bully your wife for an outsider! Now that you're married, stop entangling with other women, or I'll be the first to deal with you!"

James said nothing. He couldn't be bothered to argue with a woman or explain himself. He didn't care what Aiden thought.

Seeing James being scolded, Emily felt secretly pleased and couldn't resist making a face at him.

"Emily!" James gritted his teeth in anger. She was pushing her luck!

"Why are you yelling at Emily?" Aiden immediately defended her.

With Aiden protecting her, Emily wasn't as afraid of James. No matter how strong he was, he couldn't be stronger than his father, right?

Emily turned around, lowering her head, looking understanding. "Dad, James didn't bully me. Don't blame him. It's my fault."

Aiden, already thinking Emily was wronged, felt even more sorry for her when she spoke up for James.

"Look, Emily is still speaking up for you. You must treat her well from now on. If I find out you bully her again, I won't let you off!"

Emily had been afraid of James, but thinking that with Aiden's protection, the Johnson family would be safe too, she felt more confident.

"Dad, I'll go back to my room now."

Worried she might add fuel to the fire, James feared she would tell Aiden what she had just said. It was best to leave now.

She quickly returned to her room and lay on the bed, imagining James being scolded by Aiden downstairs. She felt incredibly satisfied!

Let him choke her, let him threaten the Johnson family. Let Aiden deal with him!

After some time, the door opened, and James appeared.

Emily sat up quickly, her face full of schadenfreude. "What did your dad say to you?"

James frowned in annoyance. "Stop calling him 'your dad.' Have some respect!"

"Isn't he your dad?" Emily deliberately provoked him. "So, what did he say?"

James was speechless.

Was she mocking him?

"Your dad said you should treat me better. If you bully me again, I'll tell him."

Emily looked smug and even made a face at James.

Childish!

Annoyed by her chatter, James couldn't be bothered to argue with a child. He ignored her and left.

That night, he didn't come back. Emily figured he must have gone to sleep with Mia.

It was better if he didn't come back. Without him around, she felt completely relaxed.