Chapter 29: Neither James nor I Will Marry Someone We Don't Like

Emma had made up her mind, but she didn't show any signs of it on the surface.

However, as soon as she came to her senses and saw the changing scenery around her, she realized something was amiss.

"This isn't the way home. Where are we going?" she asked.

James replied casually, "To the outskirts. Since you said you didn't have anything to do today, I'll take you out for dinner."

Emma hesitated. "I... I think I have something to do after all."

The car slowed to a stop, and Emma thought he was going to let her out. But to her surprise, they were at the Anderson family's mansion.

James got out of the car first and greeted, "Hello, Grandma."

He nodded coldly at Ross, which was very different from the attitude that Ross had towards him.

June chided him, "James, you said you were going to pick up Emma. Why did it take so long? Did you stop somewhere on the way? Now that you're married, you should treat your wife better, you hear?"

James scratched his head and smiled, promising, "Don't worry, Grandma. I'll treat her well."

June then turned to Emma, handing her a jade bracelet.

"I found this jade bracelet today, which I thought would suit you. Jade can nourish the wearer. Since you're not wearing the one I gave you previously today, you can wear this one instead."

The jade was transparent. It was obviously expensive, but Emma wanted to give it back to June. "Grandma, you've already given me a jade bracelet. I really can't accept this one."

June pretended to be angry. "Are you saying you don't like the things this old lady gives you?"

"No, that's not what I meant..." Emma felt a bit awkward. She was used to interacting with her master, who was very laid-back and didn't care much about social etiquette or appearances. This situation with June was completely new to her.

"Emma likes it, I'll help her put it on," James said without hesitation, taking the bracelet and sliding it onto Emma's wrist.

June finally smiled. "Okay, okay, it looks really nice on you."

Emma couldn't help but touch her own face. She thought that she hadn’t put on the disguise of the scar this morning since she woke up early. However, she realized that she had put it on.

She thought, ‘Does June not mind the scar on my face at all? Does anyone of this family not mind it?’

The atmosphere at the Anderson family was harmonious, and even Ross, who had some issues with her, behaved friendly toward her in front of June. Emma unexpectedly felt warmth from this family.

After lunch, Emma remembered the white tiger and went to take a look.

The white tiger locked in the cage seemed to have gained some weight. When it saw her, it snorted and turned its head away, as if ignoring her.

Emma knew this white tiger was smart enough to understand humans. It was probably still resentful that she didn't release it as promised.

"Is this your way of asking me for help" Emma teased, crossing her arms.

The white tiger turned its back to her.

Emma chuckled. "If you treat me better, I'll consider letting you out. Otherwise, today might be my last visit."

The white tiger remained stiff for a few seconds before reluctantly turning back to face her, its icy blue eyes staring coldly at her.

"If you're unwilling, I will not try to set you free anymore. If it weren't for you being a wild animal, I wouldn't even pay attention to you," Emma said with a smirk.

The white tiger let out a couple of low growls, as if saying, "If I weren't locked up, you wouldn't dare to bully me!"

Emma didn't understand the growls, but suddenly, behind her, Ross's elegant yet cold voice rang out. "If you want me to let him out, that's possible. But you have to agree to one condition."

"What condition?" Emma asked.

Ross said, "Both James and Grandma really like you. You two haven't gotten your marriage certificate yet. Go to the country of Rohands to get married."

Emma's expression changed. Although she and James hadn't gotten their marriage certificate yet, in the eyes of the aristocrats, holding a wedding ceremony meant they were already married.

She had thought that as long as James didn't bring it up, she could leave in a year without needing to officially dissolve the marriage.

Now that Ross brought it up, Emma knew she couldn't agree.

Rohands was the only country where one couldn't easily divorce after getting married.

"No," Emma refused without hesitation.

The white tiger growled angrily as if saying, "Human, you're a liar!"

Ross furrowed his brows, seeming puzzled and a bit angry. "Is it so difficult to get a certificate? Or do you not want to be with James?"

Emma shook her head. "It's not that. I just don't want to define my future so easily. I don't depend on having a partner, and I don't want to be tied down by anything. I can get the certificate with him, but I can't promise anything for the future."

Ross's tone turned cold. "Are you saying that if you find someone better, you'll abandon James?"

Emma shook her head again. "That's not what I mean. I just like the feeling of being free. Love is the least important thing to me. James is great. He's the best man I've met since I came here. But I don't want to be constrained by our relationship. My world can exist without love, but it must have freedom."

As Emma spoke, her eyes sparkled. Ross paused when he saw her eyes.

He wasn't someone who cared much about appearances, but her eyes were truly beautiful as if all the splendor of the world was contained within them, captivating anyone who looked at them.

"Ross, do you understand what I mean?" Emma asked.

Realizing he had been addressed by name, Ross snapped out of his daze and fell silent for a moment. "No, you two must go to Rohends to get married. I have to consider James’s feelings."

Emma was a bit puzzled. "Why? Aren't you afraid he might fall for someone else?"

Ross glanced at her, his expression complex.

"This marriage was something James worked hard to arrange. I've never seen him with any other woman. You're the only one. Otherwise, do you think our Anderson family would accept you with your rural background? Although there's a marriage contract between the Anderson family and the Smith family, our family is powerful enough to break it. James and I both refuse to marry people we don't like."

Emma was stunned. She couldn't understand what James saw in her.

She thought, ‘And what about my master? Is it because of James that I was forced to marry him?’

The white tiger growled urgently as if saying, "Women, just get married already! Our white tigers only recognize one mate for life! Isn't that great?"

Ross said, "Think it over. James sincerely cares about you. With your dignified appearance, you won't find anyone better than him. The Anderson family won't mistreat you."

Emma felt her head spinning. It seemed like she had been caught in a whirlpool..

She went to the bathroom to wash her face and sent a message to her master. [Master, why did you insist on me marrying James in the first place? Did he offer you some kind of benefit?]