Chapter 389: Arguing Again

Chapter 389: Arguing Again

Nico clenched his fists, his face breaking into a gentle smile. "Sure, let's get together another time."

The words had barely left Nico's mouth when two small figures came rushing toward James and Emily.

"Daddy, Mommy!"

Briar cheered as she threw her arms around James's leg, then used both hands and feet to climb up like a little koala.

Seeing this, James immediately released his hold on Emily's waist and used both hands to scoop Briar up.

"Daddy, welcome back."

Briar beamed, planting a kiss on James's cheek.

James smiled and pinched Briar's little face. "Has Briar been a good girl?"

"Of course I have! Did you bring me a present, Daddy?"

"Of course. They're all in the car. I'll give them to you in a bit."

"You're the best, Daddy."

Briar smiled sweetly and kissed James's cheek again.

While James and Briar enjoyed their happy reunion, Mason wasn't as exuberant. He simply pressed close to Emily's leg, tilting his head back and blinking his big eyes up at her.

That one look melted Emily's heart.

She bent down and picked Mason up, kissing his little cheek and saying gently, "Mason, sweetie, will you come back to the Thomas Villa with me to visit Great-Grandma?"

Mason's eyes lit up slightly, and he nodded emphatically.

Emily couldn't help but smile at Mason's obedient demeanor.

Then she turned to look at Briar, pretending to complain, "Briar, you're so happy to see Daddy. Does that mean you like Daddy more than Mommy?"

Briar playfully stuck her tongue out at Emily. "Mommy~ You're picking on me! I love both Daddy and Mommy, but you're holding Mason and Daddy's holding me—it's fair."

"Then why isn't it me holding you and him holding Mason?"

Emily asked deliberately.

Briar blinked her big eyes. "Then Daddy can hold me for just a little bit longer, and then we can switch."

Briar's innocent words made Emily laugh, and James hugged Briar even more affectionately while Mason smiled with his eyes nearly closed in Emily's arms.

Thanks to Briar, the tense atmosphere that had been crackling between James and Emily instantly dissipated.

Nico stood off to the side, watching the warm family scene before him with a heart full of bitterness.

Watching the woman he cared for nestled beside another man, smiling with such tenderness in her eyes—it made his blood boil with rage. He wanted nothing more than to kill James and take Emily for himself.

After chatting with the children for a while, Emily finally noticed Nico still standing nearby. Her smile froze for a moment.

"Nico, we've got some things to take care of, so we'll be going. Let's stay in touch."

Emily hurriedly said goodbye to Nico, then urged James to get the children in the car.

James was somewhat reluctant. Before getting in the car, he shot Nico a warning glare.

'This woman is mine!'

Nico narrowed his eyes coldly. He watched the black car turn a corner and speed away, his gaze dark and brooding.

After a long moment, Nico pulled out his phone and made a call, then issued a cold command.

"I want you to investigate this James person. Any information about him, no matter how big or small, report it all to me in detail."

After that, Nico hung up, grabbed his suitcase, hailed a taxi, and drove off.

Thora stood at the entrance of Elysian Residences, having witnessed the entire drama that had just unfolded at the gate.

She wasn't particularly familiar with Nico—she'd only heard his name mentioned by Emily.

And there was also the fact that for a period of time, Jasper had been in frequent contact with Nico. Thora knew about that.

James wasn't Emily's best match.

No matter how much James might change, Thora's opinion wouldn't easily shift.

James's personality was too domineering, overbearing, and dictatorial—he had all the flaws of toxic masculinity.

And Emily's personality was equally strong-willed, intelligent, and competitive.

When these two collided, it was like a meteor striking the earth—either they'd both fall, or they'd both be destroyed.

It was just terrible!

Emily was better suited to a man who would accommodate her, cherish her, and trust her unconditionally.

Once, Thora had thought Kurt might be that perfect match for Emily, but Kurt was too timid when it came to emotions, too indecisive. Being with him would probably exhaust Emily.

Besides, Emily had made it clear that she only saw Kurt as a friend, with no romantic feelings whatsoever.

So Kurt was quickly crossed off the list!

Then Nico appeared.

During the days Emily had been away, Thora had carefully observed Nico.

Gentle and refined, ambitious but knowing how to restrain and conceal it, steady and seasoned—he was an experienced man.

Most importantly, he showed a fervent infatuation and admiration for Emily.

According to Nico, Emily was his savior, and he'd fallen for her at first sight.

A smooth-talking man—who knew how much of what came out of his mouth was true or false.

In order to better observe this enigmatic man, Thora had suggested letting Nico stay at Elysian Residences. Unfortunately, Emily had vetoed that proposal outright.

Thora simply felt that Emily had so much going for her—she could have more options. There was no need to pin all her hopes on James alone.

Besides, James had all sorts of terrible habits. She often saw Emily arguing with him. With a long life ahead of them, how could constant fighting work?

Since James didn't know how to cherish what he had, she might as well scout out a few backup options for Emily.

……

At that moment, James, who was driving toward the Thomas Villa, suddenly sneezed.

Emily, sitting in the back seat with the children, stared intently at the silhouette in the driver's seat.

The car fell into silence.

After a moment, Emily finally spoke slowly, "Is your cold still not better?"

"Maybe someone's cursing me out."

James said pointedly.

'You really think I can't tell you're taking a dig at Nico?'

Emily was so exasperated she nearly laughed.

She let out a cold snort, turned her head to look out the window, and stopped paying attention to James.

Through the rearview mirror, James watched Emily's profile as she turned to look out the window, feeling even more frustrated and miserable.

'I'm angry. I'm jealous. Can't you see that?'

In a normal relationship, when the woman saw her man upset, wouldn't she naturally try to comfort him?

That's what it said in the dating guide Alton gave him. So why didn't it work with Emily?

And so, without another word between them, they arrived at the Thomas Villa.

Faye opened the courtyard gate, her face wreathed in smiles as she welcomed the family of four inside.