Chapter 110 Severing Ties
"Well, at least you know your place!"
Emily stepped back, her foot leaving Rhett's chest. "Get lost!" she ordered with icy detachment.
Rhett felt the chill of her murderous intent and scrambled to his feet, running away in a panic, forgetting all about Fallon.
Fallon watched Rhett flee and found herself in a tough spot. She shot a hateful glare at Violette. "This is all your fault, you witch! If it weren't for you..."
"Rhett ran off because I scared him. Are you really gonna stick around and put him in more danger?" Emily warned, her voice dripping with disgust.
Fallon knew Rhett well enough to recognize what a coward he was. She didn't fully understand the threat Emily had used, but it was enough to terrify him, so it must have been pretty serious.
Fallon didn't dare stay any longer. Despite her earlier act of seeming weak and on the verge of fainting, she bolted just as quickly as Rhett.
"Alright, Violette, it's over," Emily said, turning to comfort her.
Violette still looked uneasy. "Rhett's a scoundrel. He might agree now but could easily go back on his word. Maybe Atticus and I should move out until his exam results are in."
Emily shook her head with a reassuring smile. "No need. As long as Rhett behaves until Atticus gets his exam results, we'll be fine. Once you get your divorce papers, I have ways to deal with him."
Her eyes were cold and calculating, her demeanor deadly serious.
Violette instinctively trusted her. Especially after how well Emily had handled the situation, not only dealing with Rhett but also salvaging their reputation.
Violette had no more doubts.
Emily then thanked the security guards and property management for their help, even donating some money as a bonus. She wasn't particularly short on cash these days and was generous to those who helped her. Besides, living here long-term, having their support would save her a lot of trouble.
What Emily didn't know was that Bianca had been watching the live stream the whole time. Seeing Rhett and Fallon successfully manipulate public opinion, Bianca had rushed to show the video to the Johnson family.
She had also made sure to spread discussions about Emily being part of the Johnson family and showed them to Eli.
"Dad, I thought Violette would realize we’re the only ones who can help her. How could she regret coming to us? I didn't expect Emily to really have the money to help her. You know Violette is just a college student—how could she possibly get that kind of money on her own?
My worries were justified. You need to see this!"
Bianca handed over her phone.
The video showed Emily and Violette, followed by Rhett's accusations and the viewers' comments.
Eli recognized the neighborhood and knew how much a house there cost. He didn't even have the patience to watch the whole thing. If it weren't for the fact that the phone belonged to Bianca, he might have smashed it in anger.
"Such disgraceful behavior! She could have had a good life but chose to spite us, and now she's involved with some man..."
Eli was so furious that he nearly had a heart attack, clutching his chest and gasping for air.
"Eli, don't get so worked up. Maybe she's been deceived?" Cleo tried to calm him down, guessing helplessly.
Hayden was home that day, having just secured a promising project and preparing to go abroad for an inspection. He overheard the conversation and sneered.
"Who could deceive her? She's more likely to deceive others. I've always said she's no good. She chose to fall from grace. Once my project is successful, the Johnson family's status will rise even higher. Emily's disgraceful behavior makes her unfit to be acknowledged as part of our family."
"Hayden, you don't mean we should really cut ties with Emily, do you? She might be willful, but we can't abandon her. What if she truly goes astray? She suffered alone before, and now if we kick her out, she'll be so pitiful!" Bianca pretended to plead, reminding everyone that Emily had always lived outside and was a disgrace to the family.
Eli immediately decided, "They say the pitiful often have something detestable about them. I think she's been corrupted for a long time. Since she didn't starve before, she won't now. Before it's publicly known she's part of the Johnson family, we'll cut ties with her!"
Cleo hesitated, feeling a pang of maternal guilt. "Eli, she's still my child. If we sever ties, can you promise me that if she ever ends up destitute, we'll at least give her a meal? Even if it's just charity?"
"Mom, don't worry. Even if we cut ties, I'll keep an eye on Emily. If she really needs help, I won't ignore her," Bianca quickly reassured her.
"Bianca, you're too kind. If she wants to ruin herself, let her!" Hayden disagreed.
Bianca pouted, "Hayden, she's still family. Let me do this for peace of mind."
"Fine, I can't argue with you. Do as you wish!" Hayden softened immediately.
Bianca smiled sweetly. "Hayden, you're the best. But—"
She hesitated. "How do we tell Emily? We should at least inform her, but she's blocked us all and we can't get into her place."
Eli frowned, thinking for a moment. "We'll use the company's website. That way, it also shows our determination to cut ties, preventing anyone from exploiting this. As for informing Emily... I remember James can get into that neighborhood. Now that Emily has nothing to do with him, there's no reason for the engagement to continue. Bianca, you need to bring James along and show him Emily's true colors so he can give up on her."
Bianca had been thinking of ways to get James to break off the engagement, especially to propose herself as the new fiancée to the Smith family.
"Dad, won't that be too harsh? Emily might blame me even more," Bianca feigned reluctance.
Hayden was eager to replace Emily with Bianca. "It's her own fault. We need James to initiate the breakup. With your qualities, he'll surely be impressed!"
He believed Bianca was far superior to Emily and that James would be lucky to have her.
Bianca blushed. "For the Johnson family and for James, I'll do it. I'll call him now."
The Johnson family supported her plan.
She quickly dialed James and sent him a clip of the live stream.
"James, I need to talk to you. Brace yourself—it's about Emily!" Bianca's voice was filled with concern and hesitation.
James immediately tensed up, his voice urgent. "What did Emily do now?"