Chapter 224: A Conspiracy Against Her
"Let me go! I'm from the Johnson family. Whatever Emily is paying you, I'll double it, triple it! You can't treat me like this!"
Half an hour later.
Hayden was kicked right in front of Emily by Bird.
Clearly, thinking Emily wasn't around, he felt he could speak up and started getting cocky again.
"What's all this fuss? Keep it up and I won't mind going through the trouble of sending you back to Zephyria right now!"
Emily said coldly.
Hayden was somewhat wary of Emily. Her words made him pause for a moment.
But soon he came to his senses and spoke mockingly, "Emily, I know you wouldn't dare, and you can't bear to. After all, I'm your brother. Considering you saved me, I'll let it slide this time. Now, take me back to the Johnson Villa immediately, so Mom and Dad won't worry about me."
Emily slapped the back of Hayden's head. "Dream on! You think I'll just do whatever you say? When you learn to respect people, then I'll consider sending you back!"
Hayden's expression changed.
Emily felt Hayden hadn't suffered enough yet, wasting everyone's effort when they nearly got into trouble because of him.
She said to Bird and the others, "Lock him up for now. If he's got too much energy, skip a couple of his meals."
Emily finished speaking and turned to leave.
Now Hayden panicked. "Emily, come back! How dare you! Don't you want those shares anymore? Aren't you afraid you saved me for nothing? Even if you don't care about money, don't these people care about money either?"
But this time, his shouting didn't make Emily pause even for a second. Instead, it earned him a beating from Bird.
Bird had a straightforward personality and couldn't stand this kind of pathetic, self-important man.
Even after all this, he still thought she couldn't bear to discipline him.
Though Emily heard a few of Hayden's screams afterward, even knowing Bird and the others might have done something, she didn't interfere.
She trusted Bird and the others knew their limits.
Someone like Hayden, even after suffering in Zephyria, still didn't know how to behave. He needed to be taught a lesson.
Now she finally had time to try to contact Knox.
Emily made the overseas call.
She was actually a bit anxious inside. She believed in his abilities, but still worried about accidents.
"Hello, getting your call means you're safe. That's great!"
The call connected, and Knox's lazy but caring voice came through.
Hearing his unhurried tone, Emily felt slightly relieved.
"Knox, where are you now? How are you? Are you hurt?"
Emily threw out several concerned questions in succession, waiting for answers.
She seemed to sense the person on the other end sitting up straight, with a bit of roguishness, "Me? I'm doing great! The law enforcement team took over here, so the situation was quickly brought under control. Besides, with my skills, what's there to worry about? Right?"
Knox was quite confident.
Of course, he had the credentials to be confident.
Seeing he still had time to joke around, Emily figured he was really fine and replied with a smile, "Yes, but I was still worried. Thank you for this time. I owe you big."
"So how do you plan to repay me? How about considering marrying me?"
Knox used the guise of joking to express his true feelings.
Emily was stunned at first, but she really didn't take it seriously. Instead, she laughed a bit awkwardly, "Stop it! I've already brought Daniel back home. His condition can only be treated back in the country, so I'm sorry I didn't get to tell you in time. If you're done there, come back home. I'll treat you to a proper meal to thank you.
Or, I have a medicine that would definitely be in high demand once it hits the market, and a patent too. I can let you use it."
Just treating someone to a meal to repay such a favor - she couldn't bring herself to say that.
So actual, tangible things were a sincere way to show gratitude.
Knox knew Emily was doing this to repay the favor, but it was also a way of trying to keep her distance from him.
To say he wasn't disappointed would be impossible.
However, there weren't many things he truly wanted.
Since he had feelings for her, as long as she wasn't married to Daniel, he wouldn't give up.
Besides, if it was a good project, he naturally wouldn't pass it up.
"Sure, I'd love to take a good look at a good project. Besides, someone I have faith in definitely won't be wrong!"
Knox replied with a laugh.
He didn't pressure Emily.
After a couple more concerned exchanges, Emily hung up the phone.
Now she finally had time to check on Violette and the others.
Emily first called Atticus, but there was no response.
Her heart sank.
She tried Violette next. The phone connected but was quickly hung up.
The person on the other end seemed to be doing it on purpose.
Finally, the call connected, but it wasn't Violette's voice.
"Emily, you finally called. I thought you didn't care about Violette anymore. At least you have some conscience."
"Rhett!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Emily's heart sank as she coldly called out the person's name.
"It's me! Violette couldn't bear to divorce me, so we remarried. From now on, if you want to see Violette, just send her some money each time. When my life gets better, naturally hers will too!"
Rhett was so shameless to say such things.
Immediately after, a sound came from the other end, as if something had been thrown to the ground with a dull thud.
Then came Violette's urgent, pained voice, "Emily, don't worry about me. I was careless. I never imagined Rhett could be this shameless. It's my own fault. I'll fight Rhett to the death. Hurry and find Liam. I don't know where they've taken him. I... Ah, Rhett, I'll bite you to death..."
After that, the phone seemed to have been smashed and fell to the ground, going silent.
Emily heard the busy tone from the other end, her expression so dark it could drip ice water.
Rhett, there's a path to heaven you won't take, but you insist on barging into hell. Well then, this time I won't be polite.
After Emily hung up.
Through her computer, using Violette's phone, she quickly locked onto Violette's location.
Only by catching Rhett could she find out where Liam was.
And Atticus - he wouldn't disappear for no reason. Sofia was still in school, so if she couldn't be reached, the school should have an explanation.
"Ms. Johnson, Ms. Johnson..."
Just then, York's urgent voice rang out at the door.
"What is it?"
Emily had already made her plans. She would first go to Atticus's workplace to look for him, then go to Sofia's school to ask about the situation.
As for Liam, she wanted to ask Leopard and the others to help investigate.
Emily had a feeling this was a scheme targeting her.
Now that she was back, she had to find them and root out whoever was behind this.
"Ms. Johnson, Mr. Smith is awake, but not seeing you there, he's worried. Could you go see him? I'm afraid his agitation might affect his health."
Afraid the poison might flare up again.
"Okay, I'll go right now!"
Emily nodded.
Though she was confident Daniel was fine, she still wanted to check on him to be sure.