Chapter 113: Love Is Exclusive, You Don't Understand Love
"Who are you?"
Daniel's indifferent gaze landed on Bianca.
The question made Bianca freeze instantly.
Emily couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Meeting Bianca's hateful glare, she maintained an innocent look. "Sorry, I usually don't laugh unless I just can't help it."
Bianca shot Emily a venomous look.
But she knew now wasn't the time to argue with Emily. She'd make her pay for this mockery later.
Bianca's eyes reddened as she looked at Daniel, trying to appear pitiful. "Mr. Smith, I'm Bianca, Emily's sister and James's friend."
She assumed her reputation preceded her and that Daniel must have heard of her. He was doing this on purpose.
Bianca tried to clarify her identity as much as possible.
Daniel chuckled lightly, the smile not reaching his eyes. "I don't think you understand. Let me put it plainly—what authority do you have to apologize on James's behalf?"
Bianca's face turned crimson with embarrassment.
In the past, she had always handled things this way. The Johnson family and others in their social circle always bought it.
Why wasn't it working with Daniel?
Tears welled up in Bianca's eyes, but she tried to stay strong. "Even if I'm just a bystander, seeing James being deceived and manipulated, I have to stand up and say something."
"You’re far from being that pure-hearted!"
Daniel showed no mercy.
Emily's eyes sparkled as she watched him.
She had almost thought Daniel would be like everyone else, easily swayed by Bianca's pretense of concern. But he stood by her unconditionally this time.
In that moment, Emily acted on impulse.
She suddenly walked over to Daniel and linked arms with him.
She didn't dare to meet Daniel’s possibly reproachful gaze, instead locking eyes with James's fiery ones. "You say you love me? See this? This is what love looks like—unconditional trust, not being swayed by a few words from someone like Bianca."
"I never doubted you; it's just that you've made too many mistakes. I'm only trying to correct you!"
James naturally wouldn't admit fault. His gaze was fixed on their linked arms, as if he wanted to tear them apart.
Emily scoffed. "Should I remind you? The first time, I said I didn't dirty Bianca's dress. There was even surveillance footage, but Bianca's ambiguous words were enough for you to blame me without checking the footage.
The second time, Bianca fell into the pool herself. But you assumed I tripped her, just because she pretended to be magnanimous and said it wasn't me. You still thought I was that malicious."
With each accusation, James's face darkened. He opened his mouth but was overwhelmed by the flood of memories, leaving him speechless.
Bianca didn't want Emily to clear her name. Tears streamed down her face. "Emily, I said I didn't blame you. I didn't know you held a grudge over those things and hurt James. What do you want me to do to make it right? Should I kneel? If that’s what it takes, I will!"
She made a move to kneel.
James snapped out of his memories, seeing Bianca about to kneel, her stubborn yet fragile demeanor. Comparing it to Emily's proud stance, his habitual bias tilted towards Bianca.
"Bianca, the past is the past. You did nothing wrong, so there's no need to apologize, let alone kneel."
James stopped Bianca from kneeling.
Then he looked at Emily with displeasure. "This is between you and me. Don't drag Bianca into it. She came here out of concern for me."
Emily laughed coldly.
"James, see the difference? Love is exclusive. If you can't be partial to me, don't talk to me about love. From now on, let's pretend we're strangers."
Emily spoke seriously, looking James in the eye.
James met her determined gaze.
He knew her.
Once she made up her mind, there was no turning back.
James suddenly felt a sense of defeat.
A piece of his heart felt missing.
"Bianca, let's go!"
His voice was defeated. He called out to Bianca, not even noticing if she followed, and walked out dejectedly.
Bianca, not wanting to make an enemy of Daniel, couldn't resist saying, "Mr. Smith, sorry to have disturbed you. We really meant no harm and just wanted to clear things up with Emily. It seems that's not possible now."
Bianca's words trailed off as she met Daniel's piercing gaze. Frightened, she quickly followed James out.
She even forgot what she came for.
Emily watched them leave, then turned her gaze back.
The atmosphere was strangely quiet.
Emily sensed Violette's shocked and pleased look.
Her gaze dropped to her hand still linked with Daniel's arm. "Sorry, Mr. Smith. I just did that to rile James up and stop him from bothering me. Please don't take it seriously."
"What if I did?"
Daniel's voice was calm.
His eyes were deep and captivating, drawing her in.
Emily's heart skipped a beat. Her ears reddened, and she couldn't meet his gaze. "Mr. Smith, you sure know how to joke!"
She laughed awkwardly.
Daniel sighed inwardly.
When she linked arms with him, he thought she had finally realized something.
It was just his imagination.
He didn't want to scare her away.
Daniel reminded himself.
"Looks like my joke worked. You almost believed it."
Daniel smiled gently.
His softened expression made him even more charming.
Emily dared not look too long.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Good thing she didn't take it seriously and make a fool of herself.
"Mr. Smith, thank you. But next time, don't use this method. It's unfair to you. Luckily, they probably won't spread rumors about our 'relationship.' It wouldn't be good if they did."
Emily knew them well.
James wouldn't admit he was outdone by a better man.
She had long sensed that James looked down on her for her past.
As for Bianca, she wouldn't want anyone to know Emily had something she couldn't get.
Bianca, spoiled all her life, couldn't stand not getting what she wanted.
Now that Emily had something she couldn't, she'd be furious and wish no one knew.
Daniel spoke calmly, "Gratitude? How do you plan to thank me?"