Chapter 125 Charging into Battle for Emily
"Alright, Emily, let's see how this plays out!" Bianca said with a grin, trailing Ronnie out of the room.
Emily didn't waste another second. After handing her assignment to the teacher, she decided it was time to catch up with Terry.
Terry: Meet up? Right now? Where?
Emily shot Terry the address of a nearby café and set the meet for half an hour later.
Emily's tech skills far outstripped Terry's, so tracking him down was a breeze. When Terry had tried to locate her before, she had turned the tables and found out everything about him.
When Emily arrived at the café and took a seat across from Terry, he didn't recognize her at first.
Terry frowned and said, "Sorry, this seat's taken. Also, I'm not looking to make friends."
He said this because he often found himself in similar situations.
He had the confidence and the means to say such things. While Terry wasn't as strikingly handsome as Daniel, he had a clean-cut look that many found appealing. His attire suggested he came from a well-off family.
Emily ignored his words and sat down anyway. Before Terry could protest again, she spoke up.
"Wow, someone's full of themselves. Anyway, let me introduce myself: SQ, Emily. Nice to meet you—Z."
Emily stressed his online alias.
Terry's eyes widened in excitement.
"You're SQ? No way! I thought you'd be some old dude or a nerdy kid. But you're... you're..."
He gestured at Emily, struggling to say she was a young and attractive woman.
Emily swatted his hand away. "Alright, calm down. Judging people by their looks is a big no-no. Sit down, let's talk business."
"Sure!"
Despite his seemingly flaky first impression, Terry was rock-solid when it came to business.
Earlier, Emily had discussed AI directions and frameworks with him. This time, Terry had designed a prototype for her to check out.
"Ms. Johnson, what do you think? Any feedback? I'll keep refining it until you're happy!"
Terry pounded his chest, making a promise.
Emily nodded. "This part here, I think it could be improved like this..."
She didn't hold back and offered her suggestions.
Terry listened attentively.
Even his family would be surprised to see how serious and focused he could be.
His family background was indeed impressive. As the heir to the Perez family, he had been pampered since childhood, leading to some minor issues. His grades weren't stellar, and everyone thought he was unmotivated. He spent most of his time either at home or in internet cafés, rarely at home.
His family hoped he wouldn't cause trouble in the future.
No one could have predicted that he would become a big shot one day.
Emily's suggestions were crucial.
Terry listened carefully, absorbing everything quickly. The two became engrossed in their conversation, their heads close together.
From certain angles, they appeared overly intimate.
"Emily, how can you be so shameless!"
Just then, an angry figure stormed towards their table, his voice reaching them before he did.
He was good-looking and loud, drawing the attention of nearby customers to Emily's table.
"Who the hell are you?"
Terry, with his rebellious streak, slammed the table in anger, his presence imposing.
He stood up, glaring at the intruder. "Emily, you're gonna dump me for this guy? Weren't you chasing after Daniel? What happened? Did you realize you couldn't get him and decided to settle for this?"
James had been reflecting on his time with Emily since their breakup and was feeling some regret. His family, ignoring his feelings, had pressured him into an engagement with Bianca. He was frustrated and had come to see a new AI project with Aiden to clear his mind. When he saw Emily with another man, he couldn't contain his anger and rushed over.
Emily grabbed James' finger, which was pointing at Terry, and applied pressure, making a cracking sound.
"Show some respect. My people aren't for you to point fingers at. Using your finger to point at someone, is that your family's manners? And who are you to me? Who I meet and spend time with is none of your business."
Emily released his finger with disgust.
Terry, hearing Emily call him her person, felt a thrill. "Ms. Johnson, I am indeed your person. You have to look out for me, and I'll protect you unconditionally. If anyone dares to bully you, I won't stand for it!"
James, pale with pain, refused to leave. "Even if we're no longer engaged, I still care about you. I've regretted breaking it off..."
"Stop. Aiden's here. If you say that, where does that leave Bianca and her unborn child? Aren't you two supposed to be engaged soon?"
Emily cut him off. He couldn't just assume she'd take him back because he regretted it.
Terry, surprised by Emily's past, grew more disdainful of James.
"Seriously? You cheated with another woman and now want to come back to Ms. Johnson? Look at her—she's beautiful, talented, and young. She deserves someone far better than you. Get lost!"
Terry couldn't help but speak up.
Even a stranger could see the situation clearly.
But James remained oblivious.
Aiden, seeing James' discomfort and the curious onlookers, frowned and said, "Emily, don't overdo it. If he can't intervene, I can. You moved out to live like this? Associating with people like him, living this way—are you really okay with it?"
Emily didn't hate Aiden as much as the rest of the Johnson family, but only if he didn't try to control her.
Now he was questioning her, saying humiliating things. Emily's disgust grew.
"My life is clean, not as you say. Even if it wasn't, it's my business. Have you forgotten the Johnson family publicly severed ties with me? From that moment, I have no connection to anyone in the Johnson family."
Emily issued a direct order. "Leave before I get angry! Now that we're no longer connected, my tolerance is low."