Chapter 126: Deep Schemes, Just Like Bianca
"Alright, alright, let's see what happens to you when the Johnson family is history!" Aiden sneered, clearly embarrassed in front of James.
Emily didn't give a damn.
Just then, her phone rang. It was Aaron.
"Hey?"
"Emily, you asked me to keep an eye on things. There's news. The fake doctor pretending to be you will arrive in Silverlight City tomorrow to treat Aurora. Bianca and James are expected to be there, and of course, Chase too."
"Got it. Send me the address and time. I'll be there tomorrow."
Emily stepped aside to take the call, getting the info from Aaron.
Meanwhile, James and Aiden, feeling ignored, couldn’t hang around any longer and left. Aiden, wanting James to be involved in this AI project, didn’t want to waste more time on Emily.
After hanging up, Emily saw they had left and invited Terry to grab a bite. Unexpectedly, they ran into Byron and Sophia at the restaurant.
Byron was shielding Sophia, seemingly in the middle of a confrontation. The woman opposite them was delicate and pretty, similar to Bianca. Surrounding her were several men, pointing fingers at Sophia and mocking Byron provocatively.
Byron, with his fiery temper, rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw punches.
"Sophia, if your parents knew you were hanging out with someone like him, they’d be so disappointed. They've put so much effort into raising you, how can you just throw it all away?" Niamh Brown spoke with a concerned tone.
Byron sneered, "What about me? While I’m out earning money, you’re probably still asking your family for handouts!"
Since getting two million dollars, Byron spoke with confidence. People in their circle knew he didn’t rely on family money anymore. Though many doubted it, his swagger and his followers’ confirmation gradually convinced them.
Sophia, knowing how that two million came about, twitched at his bragging. But since Byron was defending her, she wouldn’t expose him.
"Two million dollars, big deal. Who in our circle doesn’t have that? And who knows if it's clean money? Only someone as naive as Sophia could be fooled by you. Byron, if you want to mess with other girls, fine, but leave Sophia alone." Niamh stood her ground, unafraid of Byron.
Men often liked her for her modesty and poise, or her cool demeanor. She knew Byron, used to being adored, probably preferred girls who resisted him.
Sophia scoffed, "Who needs your fake concern? You're not welcome here. Get lost!"
Niamh’s eyes welled up, her lips quivering stubbornly as she stared at Sophia, refusing to leave. She subtly exposed her neck and side profile, perfectly visible to Byron.
Emily and Terry witnessed the scene clearly.
Terry, noticing Emily’s interest, provided commentary, "See that girl? She looks innocent, but she’s crafty. Exposing her neck and side profile? She’s trying to attract the guy she’s arguing with. Clever move."
Emily glanced at Terry, amused. "You seem to know a lot. Have you dealt with someone like this before?"
Terry blushed. Emily understood. Indeed, women could spot such tactics easily, but many men fell for them.
Emily didn’t act immediately, curious to see if Byron would fall for it. Little did she know, Byron was currently focused on making money, uninterested in women.
"You can insult me, but not my friends. Who do you think you are? And you guys, can’t you see she’s just a manipulative bitch?" He seemed to forget how Bianca had once wrapped him around her finger.
"Ms. Johnson!" Sophia’s excited shout drew everyone’s attention to Emily.
Niamh had heard of Emily but never took her seriously, considering her disowned by the Johnson family. But seeing Sophia run joyfully to Emily, she couldn’t help but shake her head, "Sophia has really fallen, associating with people like Emily, who was disowned by the Johnson family. I must inform her parents."
Her words were meant for Byron and those around her. Being disowned suggested Emily had done something terrible, causing those unaware to look at her disdainfully.
Byron was furious. Before anyone could react, he slapped Niamh across the face. Then he shook his hand, as if it hurt, "I usually don’t hit women, but you’re not an ordinary woman!"
Ignoring the stunned crowd, he hurried to Emily, "Ms. Johnson, what a coincidence! Are you here to see us?"
His gaze fell on Terry, alarm bells ringing. Trying to edge Terry out, "Ms. Johnson, did you see that? That woman’s just as annoying as Bianca. I couldn’t help it."
He took the chance to ask Emily, "Ms. Johnson, who’s this? Don’t tell me you’re so heartbroken over James that you’ve taken up a boy toy?"
"Ahem… I can hear you, you know!" Terry, initially indifferent to being edged out, couldn’t tolerate being called a boy toy. Though he worked with Emily, he earned his keep through his skills.
Emily chuckled, "Just here for a meal. Since we ran into each other, why not join us? I might have a new business opportunity. Interested?"
Sophia and Byron’s eyes lit up at the chance to make money and eagerly agreed.
"Byron, you dare hit me!" Niamh, finally reacting, shouted, startling her admirers. Tears streaming, she covered her face, "Did I say anything wrong? Did you have to hit me? Just because my family isn’t as wealthy, you think you can hit me. And Sophia, we’re family, yet you side with him and ignore me…"