Chapter 73: You Like Him, Don't You

Seeing Emily lying weak on the hospital bed, Bianca looked shocked and asked, "Emily, what happened? How did you get hurt?"

"Bianca..." Emily's eyes welled up as soon as she saw her sister. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.

Bianca quickly walked over, her heart aching at the sight of Emily's pale face. "How did you get so badly hurt?" she asked, worried.

Emily was about to explain, but James cut in, "She got hurt protecting me. It's a long story. I'll fill you in once Emily's feeling better."

Bianca shot a suspicious look at James, then back at Emily, but decided not to push it. She gently patted Emily's hand and said softly, "Alright, we'll talk about everything else when you're better."

Evelyn, always quick to pick up on vibes, made an excuse to go get food for Emily and slipped out.

James, sensing the tension, excused himself to find out more about Emily's condition before heading to the doctor's office.

For a moment, it was just Bianca and Emily in the room.

Bianca sat by the bed, her eyes on Emily's still pale face, frowning slightly. "Emily, be straight with me. Why did you take that knife for James? You know..."

"Bianca," Emily interrupted, her voice still weak, "I know my marriage is arranged, but at that moment, I didn't think much, I just..."

"You just rushed in? Emily, when did you become so impulsive?" Bianca asked.

Emily bit her lip, unable to answer. She had been thinking about it too.

For a guy she had known for only a few months, not even that well, she had jumped in without a second thought to take a knife for him?

"Emily," Bianca's voice softened, filled with helplessness and worry. "Have you really fallen for James?"

Emily's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively avoided Bianca's gaze. "Bianca, why would you say that? How could I..."

"Emily," Bianca cut her off, her eyes sharp as if seeing right through her. "You can't fool me. Since we were kids, you could never hide anything from me. You like him, don't you?"

Emily stayed silent, not knowing how to respond.

If she didn't like him, why had she jumped in without hesitation when he was in danger? However, their marriage was all about family interests; she wasn't supposed to fall in love with him.

"Emily, you know better than I do what kind of family the Smiths are," Bianca sighed. "The intrigues of wealthy families are complex and endless. Are you really ready to dive into that mess?"

Emily's fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, her mind flashing with images of James's chiseled face, cold eyes, and occasional tenderness.

"Bianca," Emily's voice was soft but unusually firm. "I don't know what the future holds, but right now, I want to follow my heart."

Bianca looked into Emily's determined eyes and finally sighed, saying nothing more.

When it came to matters of the heart, it was a personal journey that only the individual could truly understand.

At that moment, Bianca suddenly remembered that she had once hired a private investigator to dig up dirt on James, but the investigator had abruptly stopped and refunded her money.

Obviously, James had found out!

"By the way, Emily, about James and that woman..." Bianca looked at Emily's evasive eyes, understanding but deliberately putting on a stern face, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation, "Emily, it seems you still haven't figured out who that woman was with James that day!"

Emily explained, "He said she was a client, and he signed a confidentiality agreement, promising not to reveal her identity."

"What kind of client needs to go shopping together? They were so close, practically glued together!" Bianca looked at Emily. "Emily, business partnerships shouldn't be like this."

Bianca knew Emily, from childhood to adulthood, was pure-hearted, no match for the Smith family's cunning people.

"Emily, you're just too trusting," Bianca sighed helplessly, gently tapping Emily's forehead, "He says she's a client, so you believe it? James is known for being cold and ruthless. When did he start caring so much about a client by accompanying her shopping and dining? I think he lied to you."

"Bianca, don't say that!" Emily's face flushed, instinctively defending James. "James is not like that!"

"Who knows? You can't judge a book by its cover," Bianca looked at Emily with exasperation. "You've been fooled by his cold facade! Men, especially wealthy and powerful ones like James, are the best at pretending."

"Bianca, I trust James," Emily lifted her head, her eyes firm as she looked at Bianca, "He's not that kind of person."

"Silly girl, you..." Bianca wanted to say more but was interrupted by Emily.

"Bianca, I know you're looking out for me," Emily held Bianca's hand, her eyes sincere. "But James and I are going to get married. My future is tied inseparably to him."

"Alright, let's not talk about this," Bianca patted Emily's hand, her tone lightening a bit. "Have a rest. I won't tell Mom and Dad about this, so they don't worry."

Emily smiled, "Okay, Bianca, you're the best."

Bianca helplessly pouted, "I really don't know what to do with you!"

Outside the ward, James was leaning against the corridor window, a cigarette between his fingers. The glow of the cigarette flickered, casting a cold light on his chiseled face.

"Mr. Smith, we've interrogated everyone, but they're tight-lipped. We can't get anything out of them," Robert reported, noticing James's grim expression, and added, "Should we call the police?"

James extinguished the cigarette with a grim look, the red glow flickering out as his emotions in turmoil.

Robert's words echoed in his ears, but he didn't respond.

"Damn it!" James cursed under his breath, his voice filled with suppressed rage.

If it weren't for finding out who was behind this attack, he would have thrown those men in black into the sea to feed the fish!

"Keep interrogating! I want to know who ordered this, and..." James paused, a cold light flashing in his deep eyes, "Does the attacker have a tattoo on his wrist? That seemed like a coiled snake."