Chapter 14: Crush the Token as You Crush His Heart
The air was still for a moment.
James, proud as ever, couldn't accept the reason.
He suppressed his shame and embarrassment with a sneer, "No way. Stop with the crap. Do you really think saving John's life would make him change his principles over and over? What could you possibly do to save someone? Call 911 or drive them to the hospital?"
As expected, he and Bianca were alike; now, he and she were the same kind of people.
Emily didn’t let his disdain faze her.
"Believe it or not! John wants to be my mentor, and I know you want to fulfill your grandmother's last wish. So, I agreed to be his student on the condition that he also teaches you painting skills, not because you have any talent!"
Emily mercilessly shattered his self-assumed pride.
James subconsciously took a step back, realizing he was indeed intimidated by her aura.
With a dark expression, he shouted, "Shut up! Stop lying. I won't believe your nonsense. I've never seen you paint. How could John beg you to be his student just because you saved his life? I don't buy it!"
The louder he shouted, the more insecure he seemed.
Emily's gaze was sharp as she stepped closer, forcing him to retreat, "Have you really never seen me paint?"
James's pupils contracted.
He had seen it.
But that was before they returned to the Johnson Villa.
He had even patted her head and praised her: "Emily, you're a painting genius. You'll be famous one day."
A fleeting crack appeared on his face.
It had been so long that he had forgotten.
Besides, it was just encouragement when they were kids; how could it be taken seriously?
Emily could tell from his expression that he had forgotten. It was only her reminder that brought back a fragment of the memory.
But he didn’t want to admit it.
He still said, "The past is the past. It's been so many years! Bianca is right; you must be trying to take all the credit for yourself! I only believe that John values my talent. But if John refuses to be my mentor, it must be because of you. How can you repay my grandmother's kindness?"
He almost pointed at her nose, accusing her of being ungrateful.
In her past life, she had always been considerate because of Uma's care.
But James, in her past life, was the one who failed Uma's last wish.
After she gave up her spot for Bianca, his attention shifted entirely to Bianca.
Eventually, he helped Bianca win an international award, and their painting journey became the foundation of their romantic bond, celebrated by netizens.
Meanwhile, she became the stepping stone for their fame and love.
"Grandma would understand me, but she would be disappointed by your favoritism!"
Emily murmured.
She believed the kind and wise Uma would surely understand her.
James's face stiffened slightly, but he quickly suppressed his guilt, his expression cold, "Stop talking nonsense. You're just using this to force me not to break off the engagement!"
Emily had no patience to wake someone pretending to be asleep.
He could think whatever he wanted; she didn't care anymore.
"When are you going to return my token? If you don't, I won't mind asking for it myself." Emily extended her hand, reminding him to give back the token.
James's eyes darkened, staring intently at Emily.
Trying to see through her.
How dare she?
It must be a tactic.
After all, she had always relied on him.
He was wearing the token but hadn't taken it out. Now, she wanted to force him, and he needed to teach her a lesson.
James took out the token from his pocket and threw it at Emily, "You want the token? You want to break off the engagement? Fine, here you go! The engagement is off! I want to see how tough you can talk without being my fiancée!"
Emily watched as James threw the token at her in a humiliating manner.
It fell to the ground, but she didn’t pick it up.
Instead, she stepped on it!
"You..."
James felt as if that foot had stomped directly on his heart.
Then, bit by bit, crushed it!
Just like it crushed their feelings for each other.
"Emily, how dare you! Do you know what that step means?" James's face was dark.
Emily's expression was calm, "I know! If it's tainted, I don't want it."
James laughed angrily.
"I'll wait for you to regret this!" He said and turned to leave.
At that moment, two uniformed officers approached and asked, "Hello, are you Ms. Johnson, the owner of the house that caught fire?"
Emily nodded, "Yes."
"We need to understand the cause of the fire. Please cooperate!"
"Sure, no problem!"
Emily followed them to the side to give her statement.
James, who was about to leave, paused and looked back at Emily in disbelief.
At that moment, he wanted to rush over and ask when she bought the house.
But seeing her cooperate with the officers, he refrained.
His gaze deepened. She must care about him.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have bought this house, filled with their memories.
James had a fleeting moment of nostalgia, recalling their childhood together.
He clenched his fists and rubbed his temples.
Forget it. Considering their past feelings, he wouldn't bother with her this time.
He'd wait for her to calm down and talk to her later.
Emily was glad she didn’t know what he was thinking; otherwise, she’d be disgusted.
James was too self-absorbed and overconfident.
Now that she had no place to stay, she remembered her appointment with Will today.
Coincidentally, there was indeed a very suitable house available.
"Emily, it's really lucky. The house is in a good location, very private, and the price is quite reasonable. The previous owner is in a hurry to move abroad and wants to sell quickly. But since they lived there for a long time, they hope the buyer will cherish the house."
Will couldn't help but praise.
Emily smiled, "That's great. If it looks good, I'll take it!"
It seemed like everything was going smoothly since she came back.
As expected, the house was excellent.
After all, Will was honest and didn't exaggerate. If he said it was good, it really was.
So she signed the contract directly.
Fifty million dollars for a villa in that location.
What luck!
She transferred the money.
The real owner of the house was lying in bed, hearing the notification of fifty million dollars.
Charles raised an eyebrow.
"Charles, weren't you supposed to rest? What did you do to earn fifty million dollars while lying down?"
Daniel's cold eyes glanced at Charles, "Are you short on money?"
"What?" Charles didn't understand.
"Otherwise, why are you eyeing my wallet?"
Daniel said expressionlessly.
Charles was shocked.
Daniel, usually serious and cold, seemed to have learned to joke.
He wanted to check Daniel's brain; maybe the illness had made him silly.
Or perhaps the doctor's treatment had made him foolish.
Emily suddenly felt a chill and sneezed.
Who was cursing her now?
Having bought the house, she had only paid half of Daniel's medical expenses and was out of money again.
At that moment, a message about a design competition was posted in the class group.
The prize was thirty thousand dollars!
Not much.
But thirty thousand dollars was still money.
She decided to go to school to get the registration form and participate.
Unexpectedly, she ran into Bianca.