Chapter 144 The Plot Fails, Protect the Child
[James Smith, heir to Ascend Global Group, and Bianca Johnson are just close family friends. Please stop making assumptions about their relationship.]
Right after, James posted on his personal account: [There's a girl I like.]
Somehow, a netizen found his account, reposted the message, and asked who the girl was.
James didn't reply, but he didn't stop the repost either, clearly wanting the news to spread.
Soon, everyone started speculating and trying to figure out who James was talking about.
Emily wasn't arrogant, but she had a hunch that the girl James mentioned was her.
What was James up to?
She never thought James would clear things up about his relationship with Bianca.
Once James put out that message, it meant the marriage alliance between their families was off. Bianca wouldn't take this lying down.
Just as Emily predicted, Bianca's face turned sour when she saw the message.
She couldn't maintain her usual gentle and kind demeanor in front of James and called him directly to confront him.
"James, do you hate me that much? You'd rather have everyone mock me online than just acknowledge me for a bit or even pretend you didn't see it? You used to defend me the most! Have you forgotten the child I'm carrying? It's your flesh and blood, too!"
Bianca's voice broke as she spoke, tears streaming down her face.
Did she love James?
Perhaps a little, but it was more likely an obsession—an obsession to take James away from Emily. Now, seeing her efforts go to waste, how could she not be upset?
James softened when he heard her sobbing, "The child—if you want to keep it, then keep it. I'll provide child support or bring the child to the Smith family to raise."
"If you don't want to keep it, I won't stop you. I'll give you a villa as compensation."
"You know I love Emily. Our feelings go way back. I didn't mind your conflicts before, but from now on, you can't bully her anymore."
This last sentence was James's warning.
If Bianca hadn't kept a shred of rationality, she might have mocked James right then. If he truly loved Emily, there wouldn't be a child in her womb, nor would he distrust Emily.
She held back.
Her eyes were fierce, like poison.
She wouldn't abort the child. As long as she had the child, her connection to James couldn't be severed. She'd have plenty of time to keep entangling with James.
If she could outshine Emily once, she could do it again.
"James, no, I won't abort the child. I'm sorry, I've never told you that I like you! But knowing you were Emily's fiancé, I never had improper thoughts and buried my feelings deep inside.
I thought since you broke off the engagement, I finally had a chance with you. I didn't expect you still loved Emily. I won't be the obstacle to your reconciliation anymore. Just let me keep the child, as a memento. I won't love anyone else."
Bianca's words were full of genuine emotion.
It seemed as if her love for him had penetrated her very soul.
James saw her humble plea, something Emily had never done. Bianca had always been excellent, proud, and pampered. He softened somewhat.
"Fine, you can keep the child. But before Emily and I reconcile, she can't know about the baby. Got it?"
Bianca, trembling with anger at the thought of her child having to stay hidden, replied, "James, you don't trust me anymore. Even if you hadn't reminded me, I wouldn't tell Emily. I won't let the child become a burden to you two."
"Glad you understand."
James didn't elaborate on his distrust, his tone icy.
A cold gleam flashed in Bianca's eyes. "James, you're not exactly a pro at winning girls over, but I get girls, and I get Emily. Are you planning to win her back? How about I help you?"
James frowned.
He didn't respond right away.
He hesitated.
Emily clearly disliked Bianca. If she found out, it would be even harder to win her back.
But his previous attempts had failed, always backfiring.
"Let me think about it."
James didn't agree immediately. After some thought, he decided to give it a shot.
Bianca saw he was wavering and knew there was hope. To avoid making her intentions too obvious, she didn't push further.
James hung up and called Jace for advice on how to win a girl over.
Online, without the news of James and Bianca's forced marriage, the criticism of Chase continued.
Those business partners, fearing a reversal of events, didn't immediately announce contract terminations. But their search for new spokespersons indicated they weren't planning to continue working with Chase.
Chase had no choice but to turn to Eli.
He still couldn't bring himself to ask Bianca to apologize to Emily online publicly.
Eli, for Chase's sake, had to persuade Bianca. But before that, he angrily dialed Kade's number.
In the past, he always tried to please Kade. This time, with James clarifying the news and the anger in his heart, he questioned, "Kade, don't you have any explanation for the online rumors about the Smith family? Our Johnson family trusted you. We agreed on the engagement, but James refused to proceed. You should have informed us in advance. Even if we parted amicably, it shouldn't have been public, causing our Johnson family embarrassment!"
"Eli, we're just as helpless. James suddenly entered a rebellious phase, refusing to listen to us. We're victims too, and very helpless!"
Kade's words were half-true.
James was stubborn, and his decisions were unchangeable. That was a fact.
But it didn't mean he couldn't have been stopped from making it public.
And Kade's words had exactly clarified his stance.
He didn't support James and Bianca's engagement, but hadn't explicitly stated it.
"What about the child? The Smith family isn't planning to keep it? Bianca saw the doctor; it's a boy. It's a shame the child won't be born safely."
Eli's words sounded more like a threat.
Kade was furious.
His good manners prevented him from shouting angrily.
"This is James's decision. He said he offered Bianca a choice. We're not involved in his major life decisions. Sorry, we're powerless!"
Kade dodged the issue, said a few words, and hung up.
Eli knew the engagement between Bianca and James was impossible.
He had to plan for Chase.
After some thought, Eli called Bianca, "Bianca, apologize to Emily."