Chapter 48 She Is the One Who Was Given Special Attention
"You scumbag..."
Rhett tried to get up multiple times but couldn't manage. He glared fiercely and cursed.
Emily stepped forward and stomped on his back, causing him to scream in pain.
"Say one more word and I'll kill you!"
Rhett was finally silenced by Emily's threat.
"Emily, why did you come back?" Violette didn't want Emily to get involved.
Rhett was trash, and she herself was already a mess. She could deal with his bullying, but Emily was young and had a bright future ahead. If Rhett latched onto her, life would become unbearable.
Emily gently patted Violette's hand, reassuring her, "Don't worry, I'll handle this!"
She glanced at the onlookers, then fixed her gaze back on Rhett.
"The house behind us is mine, not some man's like Rhett claimed. This Rhett, he gambled away a fortune and is now forcing Violette to borrow money, or he won't pay back his debts, which would affect Atticus's chances of becoming a civil servant."
Emily not only cleared Violette's name but also exposed Rhett's vices.
Anyone with common sense knew what gambling implied.
"Such a bad man, how dare he show up here."
"I didn't expect this woman to dress so plainly, yet her niece is so capable. If she's so capable, why does her aunt live so poorly?"
"Money doesn't grow on trees, especially with a husband like that. Women need to be independent."
Some people spoke up for Emily, and others scrutinized her closely. She must have recently moved into the neighborhood, as they hadn't seen her before. Buying a house here required more than just money.
Emily achieved her goal.
"You're just a girl who barely turned eighteen. Where did you get the money to buy this house? No one believes you. You must be conspiring with Violette to deceive me. I don't buy it!"
Rhett's cunning eyes darted around, and he immediately refuted.
But as soon as he started spewing filth, Emily pressed down harder with her foot.
He grimaced in pain but remained stubborn, "Or maybe it's not Violette who's hooked up with a man, but you. You've got some looks, but at your age, you're already up to no good. Just like Violette, trash! Ouch, you're hurting me. Be careful, I'll call the cops on you!"
Rhett, despite the pain, refused to give in and threatened Emily.
"Tell him, am I the owner?" Emily calmly addressed the security guard and the arriving property manager.
The property manager remembered Emily well. A strikingly beautiful eighteen-year-old, who had caught Daniel's eye and bought the house, with special instructions to treat her with extra care.
The property manager respectfully stepped forward, "Ms. Johnson, of course, you are the owner of this house."
Rhett was taken aback. Emily really was the owner of the villa.
Could it be that the Johnson family bought it for her?
Wasn't she supposed to be disliked by her family?
None of that mattered now. Since Emily had money to buy a house, she surely had money to spare for him.
Seeing how she respected Violette, she would probably give him the money.
Rhett immediately changed his tune, "Emily, we're family after all. I misunderstood Violette, that's why I got so angry. It's because I care about her, you know?"
Emily remained silent, wanting to see what Rhett would say next.
Violette knew Rhett too well and quickly spoke, "Don't think about asking Emily for money. She won't give you any. Come with me, we'll figure something else out."
Rhett snorted, "Shut up, I'm talking. Emily, don't listen to Violette. She's just a woman with limited knowledge. I'm trying to pay off the debt quickly to avoid being blacklisted, which would affect Atticus's chances of becoming a civil servant. Help me out, and I'll be grateful!"
He was used to being arrogant.
Even now, he instinctively treated Violette poorly.
He didn't realize that Emily's willingness to help him depended on Violette.
As for Atticus, she cared about him too.
But what mattered most was Violette.
Emily sneered, "With your attitude towards Violette, you still expect me to help you? Dream on. As for Atticus, becoming a civil servant is a good path, but it's not the only one. I don't think Atticus would sacrifice Violette for a job. Atticus, what do you think?"
Atticus had already been considering giving up on the civil service exam and didn't hesitate to say, "Mom, I think the exam is too difficult. I was planning to give up anyway!"
"You brat, you must take the exam! I can't be blacklisted."
Rhett immediately scolded.
If Emily weren't holding him down, he would have jumped up to hit Atticus.
Emily frowned and was about to speak.
Rhett's phone rang.
He fumbled with it, accidentally dropping it from his pocket.
Emily saw the caller ID.
"Answer it."
Rhett instinctively obeyed and pressed the answer button.
Emily reminded him again, "Put it on speaker."
Rhett hesitated, wanting to argue, but Emily's cold, commanding gaze made him comply.
"Rhett, you need to come home. The debt collectors are here, smashing everything. The house is falling apart. Didn't Violette go out to borrow money? Why hasn't she brought it back yet? Eli has money, why can't she get it? Is she doing this on purpose..."
As soon as the call connected, a sharp, old voice cried for help, then started cursing.
It was none other than Rhett's mother, Fallon.
Emily's expression darkened.
Fallon's constant insults showed this was a regular occurrence for Violette.
"Scumbag, tell Rhett to pay up. No more excuses. If you can borrow money, you should be able to pay it back..."
Then came the sound of things being smashed, followed by a threatening voice.
"...I'm telling Rhett to get the money. I can't come up with that much right now. Stop smashing things, they're worth money too..."
Fallon screamed in fear.
It seemed they had smashed everything they could, and were losing patience. Someone grabbed the phone.
"Rhett, if you don't pay up, I'll break your legs. Don't think you can escape. You've heard my name. Wherever you run, I'll find you..."
"Mr. Palmer, yes, yes, I never thought of running. I just don't have that much money right now. Could you give me more time..." Rhett, a coward, immediately begged when he heard Dean's voice.
"Don't try to fool me. I've given you plenty of extensions. This time, no more. Decide whether to pay up or lose your legs."
Dean wasn't having it and threatened him.
Rhett's face turned pale. His eyes darted around, landing on Violette and Emily.
He spoke again, "Dean, I really don't have that much money. How about I offer my wife and niece? My wife may be older, but she's still attractive. My niece looks like her, and she's about to turn eighteen..."