Chapter 5 If You Continue to Be Disrespectful, the Consequences...
Bianca's outburst drew everyone's attention.
She quickly realized what she'd done, her face paling. But she was a seasoned actress, and tears instantly filled her eyes. "Emily, are you trying to ruin my reputation and drive me to my death?"
She swayed, as if about to faint.
James, standing right beside her, caught her, shooting Emily a disapproving look. "Emily, you know Bianca's not well. How could you upset her like this?"
This was the first time Emily had spoken to him face-to-face since her rebirth. She hadn't expected his first words to be a scolding. At this moment, he was still her fiancé.
If trying to please the Johnson family was her desperate attempt to find love and attachment, then James had been her only ray of hope during those days of scavenging for food and fighting off stray dogs.
Back then, James hadn't been taken back by the Smith family yet. He lived with Uma in poverty, but even so, he would save food for her and protect her from bullies.
They were like two wounded animals, comforting each other and healing each other's wounds. They had promised each other that no matter what, they would always protect one another and never let go of each other's hands.
But then they each returned to their families, and he started treating Bianca well, explaining that since Bianca was favored at home, if he treated her well, her family would treat Emily better too.
She had never doubted his sincerity back then. But people's hearts change, and promises, even if once genuine, can also change.
"If I remember right, you're Emily's fiancé. Defending Bianca and questioning Emily like this is quite a sight," Sophia chimed in, stirring the pot.
James' expression shifted slightly, but he ignored Sophia and looked at Emily instead. "Emily, you know I'm doing this for your own good. Be a good girl and apologize to Bianca."
James spoke gently, but his tone was firm and undeniable.
Emily shook her head. "I didn't do anything wrong, so I won't apologize."
"Damn it, you hurt Bianca and still won't own up to it!" Eli cursed angrily.
Even the female cop couldn't stand it anymore. Despite the talk about Bianca's weak health, Bianca looked well-proportioned, with skin as smooth as porcelain, hardly weak. On the contrary, Emily beside her looked frail and thin, with a sickly pale complexion. She interrupted Eli's scolding and explained the whole case.
"We understand your concern for Bianca, but Emily was thrown into the water by those people while trying to help Bianca. She nearly got a fever that could have caused brain damage. She even reported it to the police to protect Bianca, which is commendable. You shouldn't favor one over the other; show some concern for Emily too."
Emily almost got brain damage? The Johnson family members were surprised and felt guilty upon hearing this.
Finn couldn't help but mutter, "How were we supposed to know she was sick? She didn't say anything. If we knew, we wouldn't have neglected her."
Others nodded in agreement.
Emily knew that no matter the truth, the outcome would always be her fault. As for concern, even now, knowing the truth, there was none.
As for the fate of those who threatened her, Bianca had said they were young, and convicting them would ruin their lives. She was kind-hearted and wanted to give them a chance to change, deciding to let them go. But she forgot that Emily nearly got brain damage.
The Johnson family didn't give Emily a chance to object. With the matter resolved, Eli "escorted" her out of the police station.
In the car, Eli's voice was cold. "Do you still think you're some kind of hero? You almost ruined Bianca's reputation!"
Emily looked at Eli calmly. "So, Dad, you think if Bianca gets harassed or bullied, I should just ignore it from now on, right? I'll keep that in mind."
"Don't twist my words!" Eli snapped, momentarily speechless.
Hearing about Bianca's almost damaged reputation, Bianca couldn't handle the stress. Her body trembled, her face turned pale, and she started breathing rapidly.
"Bianca, don't worry. As long as those people don't want to go to jail, they won't say anything. Your reputation is safe," James reassured her, holding her gently.
Bianca looked at James pitifully. "Really? You won't think less of me, will you?"
James tapped her nose affectionately. "Of course not. You're the best."
The Johnson family members were used to their intimate actions, even smiling and nodding in approval. Except for Emily, who in her previous life was completely clueless at this time.
Emily watched the two of them with sarcasm.
Bianca seemed to realize her behavior was inappropriate and quickly pulled away from James, explaining anxiously, "Emily, don't misunderstand. I was just really upset. I know you meant well, but you might not get that a woman's reputation is more important than her life."
Was she calling her uneducated and shameless?
In her previous life, when Emily dealt with various men for the Johnson family's business, they never cared about a woman's reputation.
It was clear; they didn't care because they didn't love her.
Judging women like this was outdated.
After all, if the woman wasn't at fault.
"Emily, you were wrong. Apologize to Bianca!" James said sternly, his tone harsher.
It was completely different from how he treated Bianca.
Emily looked at James' face, still the same face, but now so unfamiliar.
The James who had protected her and loved her was left behind the year he met Bianca.
"James, do you remember you're my fiancé?" Emily said, not with affection, but as a statement of fact.
James frowned.
He felt she was becoming more unreasonable, acting out of jealousy.
"Emily, if you keep acting like this, my fiancée might not be you!"
His tone carried a hint of coldness.
It was like a threat.
Or maybe he was saying what he'd wanted to say for a long time.
Emily's nails dug into her flesh, but her expression remained overly calm.
She glanced at Bianca. "If it's not me, then who? Bianca?"
"Emily, if you don't want to apologize, fine. I never blamed you. Don't say that. There's nothing between James and me right now."
She said "right now."
The future was uncertain.
The Johnson family's favor, all the good things, should belong to her.
Emily wasn't worthy of someone like James, who had both a distinguished family and good looks.
James also disagreed. "Emily, there's a limit to being unreasonable. Bianca is magnanimous and doesn't hold a grudge. Why are you still causing a scene?"
His gaze grew sharp. "If you keep this up, I'll..."
Emily's fingers trembled. She knew the words he hadn't finished, but she was ready to cut ties and face him head-on. "You'll what? Break off the engagement?"
In this new life, if anyone was to say it, it would be her.
She would break off the engagement.
She didn't want him anymore!