Chapter 139: Give Me a Chance to Pursue You
"You don't have to rush to answer me. I like you, and that's my business. I'm telling you this because I want to ask you to give me a chance to pursue you."
Daniel's eyes were locked onto hers, intense and unwavering.
Emily found herself struggling to refuse.
She dug her nails into her palm to keep herself from reacting impulsively.
When she looked up again, she masked her emotions. "Daniel, I'm sorry..."
Just hearing those words made Daniel's eyes dim.
Emily wasn't outright rejecting him. She just didn't want to jump into a relationship so quickly this time.
"My mind isn't on romance right now. You know, because of what happened with James, I've lost confidence in relationships."
Plus, she's been swamped with work, really busy.
Daniel felt like his heart was on a roller coaster.
But at least she didn't have no feelings for him at all. She's just afraid of getting hurt, which is why she doesn't dare take that step.
Daniel said understandingly, "I get it. I can wait for you. I just hope that when you are ready for a relationship, I get first dibs."
His sincerity was impossible for Emily to ignore.
Besides, she shouldn't punish him for her ex's mistakes. He's always been good to her and unconditionally supportive.
"Okay, I will."
Emily nodded, giving Daniel the chance.
A smile spread across his face, his eyes crinkling.
Emily rarely saw him smile like this. It was a different kind of charm.
But equally captivating.
Maybe because they had cleared the air, Emily found herself relaxed around him.
She expressed her needs openly, "I think I'm a bit hungry."
Daniel noticed her relaxed attitude and his mood lifted, his voice becoming cheerful.
"Alright, see if you like the food. If not, I'll have the hotel send something else."
Daniel opened the meal box.
The aroma of the dishes wafted through the air.
Emily had only felt a bit hungry before, but now her stomach was really growling.
Daniel saw her expression and smiled indulgently.
"Hold on!"
Daniel went to get a towel and brought it to Emily to wipe her hands.
Emily felt a bit embarrassed, feeling like a helpless child.
"That's really not necessary..."
"If I say I want to pursue you, I need to show it with actions, not just words."
Daniel thought it was the right thing to do. He even felt he hadn't done enough for her. She often handled things on her own.
Feeling awkward eating alone, Emily invited Daniel to eat with her.
She then remembered to ask if she had delayed his business in Regal City.
"The matter has been resolved. It was just a side trip."
Daniel replied casually.
Emily understood. She was actually his main purpose.
Her heart softened even more.
Since there was nothing else to do, Emily and Daniel returned to Silverlight City together in the afternoon.
Emily didn't expect to see Chase, Aiden, and James at home.
It seemed Chase had learned her address from Bianca or James, but this neighborhood wasn't easy to get into. James must have helped.
Violette saw Emily return and walked over nervously to apologize, "Emily, I'm sorry. I should have stopped them. But Aiden said he was looking for me, so I opened the door. I didn't expect them to come in."
Emily guessed why they were there. She didn't blame Violette.
"Violette, it's okay. They're here now. Even though I've cut ties with them, that's between us. I won't force you to choose sides. You've had feelings for them over the years."
"Emily, are you avoiding us because you saw us here and didn't dare come in?"
Aiden and Chase saw Violette open the door and guessed Emily was back.
They didn't get up immediately, still holding their superior attitude.
But seeing Emily hadn't come in, Chase couldn't hold back and walked to the door.
He was afraid Emily would leave if she heard Violette say they were here, so he hurried.
Seeing Emily at the door, Chase breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't act like he was asking for help, still speaking annoyingly.
Emily sneered and walked inside, "Avoid? I haven't done anything wrong, why would I avoid you? But you guys, should I call you shameless or just too self-righteous? We've cut ties, yet you keep coming back. What's the deal?"
She wanted to ask knowingly, so what?
Her words made their faces darken.
Chase almost lost his temper but was stopped by Aiden.
As for James, he should have left after bringing them to Emily's villa. After all, he'd suffered enough and lost face.
Maybe he was just masochistic.
He insisted on seeing Emily.
Aiden tried to speak gently, "Emily, you were really out of line back then, so we had to make that decision. It was just a reminder and warning. We're family, sharing the same blood. How could we really cut you off?"
Emily couldn't help but clap, looking at Aiden with a mocking smile, "Nice words. When you thought I was useless, you kicked me away. Now you think I might be useful, so you're back. Tell me, what's your real purpose today?"
Aiden glanced at Chase, signaling him to speak.
Chase scowled and reluctantly stood up, "I heard from Bianca that those songs of mine were composed by you?"
"So what?"
"Can you stop being so hostile? I'm trying to reconcile with you. I'm giving you a chance to step down. Send me your composition drafts."
Emily thought calling them shameless was too kind.
Chase was beyond shameless.
"How can you say such shameless things? You know I composed them, and you just ask for them? Why should I give them to you? Even when we hadn't cut ties, you shouldn't have asked like this. Now we have no relationship."
"What do you want then? For the Johnson family to take you back? We can agree on behalf of the others."
Chase frowned, his tone more like charity.
Emily was amused.
"If that's your sincerity, I think you can leave now and never come back. I'll inform security."
She made a gesture to show them out.
Her gaze especially swept over James, "Especially you. If you bring people here again, I won't hesitate to complain to Daniel."
"Using Daniel to pressure me? Bullying with power? Do you really think Daniel favors you enough for you to stay by his side forever? The Smith family doesn't care about you!"
James deliberately belittled her.
Emily felt chilled.
She remained calm, "That's irrelevant. At least now, it can cost you your position as heir to Ascend Global Group. That's enough!"
"You!"
James glared angrily but ultimately didn't dare say more under Emily's gaze.
Seeing James frustrated, Chase couldn't hold back.
Aiden stopped Chase, afraid his impulsiveness would ruin things.
"Tell us your demands. We'll try to meet them," Aiden said.
"Since Bianca took credit for my work, I want her to apologize to me publicly," Emily replied calmly.