Chapter 47: If You Keep Talking Nonsense, It Will Be More Than Just One Slap
"Don't even think about it! Get lost, I've got important stuff to handle right now. You better not get in my way, or I won't be so nice!"
Emily's eyes flashed with a dangerous intensity.
James had never seen such a look in Emily's eyes before.
Startled, he took a step back.
Bianca's eyes welled up with tears, a glimmer of light flickering in them.
She quickly stepped in front of James. "Emily, how can you talk to James like that? Just because he cares about you doesn't mean you can bully him! If you have a problem, take it out on me!"
She closed her eyes, her neck stiffening as if she were ready to face death.
Emily sneered coldly.
James immediately pulled Bianca behind him, as if afraid Emily would hurt her.
He raised his hand.
"Emily!"
With the sound of a slap, James's furious voice followed.
"Emily, how could you hit James? What's happened to you? James, are you okay?"
"If you keep spouting nonsense, it won't just be one slap!"
Emily had slapped him and then shook her hand, not bothering to care about the two of them.
If she hadn't anticipated James's move and slapped him first, she would have been the one getting hit.
In fact, she should have slapped him in their past life.
He, who once depended on her, almost hit her for another woman.
She had seen it coming.
It was rather pitiful.
Bianca was so shocked by Emily's hostility that she fell silent.
Emily didn't look at them again. She flagged down a cab and quickly left.
In the cab, she dialed Knox's number with a serious expression.
"Mr. Green, any progress on what I asked you to investigate last time?"
It shouldn't be taking this long. She knew Knox's methods and influence.
"Emily, you only call me when you need something..."
"Cut the crap. What's the update?"
"Fine, fine, I'll send it to you right away."
He just wanted her to call him on her own initiative.
But Emily's temper had grown, like a kitten showing its claws at the slightest provocation.
That was good, at least she wouldn't be bullied.
"Thanks! I'll treat you to dinner sometime." Emily said sincerely.
The person on the other end, who had been sulking just a moment ago, immediately brightened up.
His eyes narrowed affectionately, as if he was ready to reach through the phone line.
"That's more like it! Need any help? Your uncle is really not a good person."
Knox's eyes flashed with a hint of menace.
That kind of scum was just wasting air by being alive.
"Not for now. If I need help, I won't hesitate."
"Alright then!" Knox sounded a bit disappointed. After a moment of silence, he said, "I'll give you a contact. He's specialized in this kind of work. Call him directly if you need anything handled."
"Got it!"
Emily hung up and immediately received the information and phone number from Knox.
She quickly scanned the details.
When she saw the debt amount listed as $500,000, her eyes filled with anger.
$500,000, but he had told Violette it was $1,000,000.
He had been scheming against Violette, reaping all the benefits while pushing Violette, Atticus, and Sofia into despair.
Perfect!
Her fury was so intense that the cab driver, glancing at her through the rearview mirror, almost slammed on the brakes in fear.
Meanwhile, at Serenity Grove.
Rhett was being held down on the ground by several security guards.
"Let me go! I'm hitting my own wife. Who are you to hold me down? I'll call the cops on you for this, you lousy security!"
Even while pinned down, Rhett kept mouthing off, spewing filth.
"You must all have slept with Violette, that's why you're treating me like this."
"You idiots, she's a shameless woman who wouldn't even look at you. See that mansion over there? That's her man's place. Probably some old geezer. She's restless, chasing money, trying to take my kids too. Would you let that slide if you were men?"
The guards, angered by Rhett's slander, were itching to beat him up.
Some had already kicked him a few times.
But hearing his words, some began to sympathize.
After all, for a man, such things were a great humiliation.
The commotion naturally drew attention.
Some, hearing Rhett's words, began to look down on Violette.
"I knew it. Why else would he be so mad? Turns out the woman cheated. She looks decent, but so skinny with bad skin. Would the owner of that mansion even be interested?"
"Maybe it really is an old man."
"Who knows who owns that place?"
The gossipers, with nothing better to do, speculated.
People who could afford houses here usually had good backgrounds.
If the ruckus hadn't been so big, they wouldn't have been so curious.
Living here long enough, they all knew each other.
Violette, facing Rhett's public accusations, was worried about Atticus's future. If this got out, it could affect his chances of becoming a civil servant...
"Rhett, I didn't! You're lying! The real problem is you. You asked me to borrow money, but it wasn't for a failed business, was it? Where did that money go? I haven't seen a cent."
Violette, usually too gentle and not good at arguing, struggled to stay calm and clear.
But she remembered Emily's words. If she didn't stand up for herself, her children would suffer.
For her kids, she couldn't admit to these false accusations.
She tried to stay composed, speaking the truth clearly.
"You liar! You said you borrowed money for me. Where is it? You can't show it, can you? And didn't you say you borrowed from Eli? Eli doesn't live here. Why are you here? Everyone, look, don't be fooled by her bad skin. She's actually quite pretty and good at sweet-talking."
"If she shows up here, keep an eye on your husbands."
Rhett was truly shameless, using such tactics to turn others against her.
"Dad, how can you slander Mom like this? She's devoted to this family and to you. And this house isn't some man's, it's—"
"Atticus!" Violette didn't want Atticus to reveal it was Emily's house, to avoid unnecessary trouble for her.
To Rhett, this looked like Violette was guilty, stopping Atticus from telling the truth.
"See? You won't let Atticus speak. You really did cheat! I worked so hard for this family, and this is how you repay me? I'll kill you!"
Rhett suddenly broke free from the guards, swinging his fist towards Violette's head.
"Mom!"
"Mom!"
Atticus and Violette realized what was happening, but it was too late to stop him. They screamed in despair.
"Scum!"
Emily arrived just in time to see this.
She dashed forward, kicking Rhett away.
He hit the ground hard and couldn't get up.