Chapter 52 Emily's Masterpiece, They Are Not Needed
"This... this... looks like we aren't needed here!"
The tall, burly man scratched his head awkwardly, grinning sheepishly.
Around them, about ten men were sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain. Two of them had it the worst, with swollen faces and limbs twisted in odd directions. The only other person lying there was a woman in a tight red dress.
York had said he needed help, but it sure didn't look like it now.
"Guess not, but thanks anyway," Emily said, eyeing their clothes and figuring they were probably helpful neighbors. Her fierce demeanor softened into a sweet smile as she thanked them.
"No, no, we didn't do anything. We'll just get out of your hair."
The tall man and his group left as quickly as they had arrived. The room fell silent again.
Emily glanced indifferently at Dean on the ground. "I really wanted to be friends with you, but too bad..."
She turned her gaze to Violette, Atticus, and Sofia, who were still in shock. "Violette, Atticus, Sofia, pack up anything important. We're leaving."
The three of them moved like robots, following Emily's instructions to quickly gather their belongings before coming back out. They ignored everyone else.
It wasn't that Emily didn't care; she was waiting for Violette's cooling-off period to end. There were good things in store for those people.
"Emily, thank you. We can find a place ourselves..."
"Violette, Atticus needs to study for exams, and I have a big empty house. If you feel bad about it, you can cook and clean for me. I'll pay you."
Emily wasn't embarrassed. She believed Violette wouldn't overthink it. "I need help anyway!"
Especially with a dog at home. She had upcoming competitions and a medical contest to attend. There was a lot to do.
She also needed to bring Liam over.
Thinking about this, Emily called Aaron to ask about the adoption arrangements.
Violette relaxed upon hearing this. She didn't mind being seen as a housekeeper. Finding a job now wouldn't pay much more than that.
So Violette, Atticus, and Sofia sat quietly, not speaking.
The phone quickly connected.
"Emily, what a coincidence. I was about to call you."
"What's up?"
"Mr. Smith needs treatment urgently. He's been poisoned again. They're offering an additional $20 million."
Emily wasn't surprised they reached out. "Sure, ask when he's discharged, and I'll go. By the way, the adoption?"
"It's done. I can arrange for someone to go with you anytime," Aaron replied.
Emily felt relieved but remembered she had the medical contest soon. "I'll call you in a few days."
Emily planned to wait until after the contest, but plans change.
Eli couldn't reach Emily and decided to use the child to threaten her.
Why was he in such a hurry?
He had just received a call from the Reyes family.
"What? Isaac, why so sudden?"
Song Guodong dreaded calls from Isaac, fearing he'd push Emily to apologize, but she wouldn't listen.
"Don't worry, I promised Emily would apologize, and she will. We're at a critical project stage, and changing leaders now isn't ideal."
"Eli, I'm just informing you. No need for an apology."
Isaac felt a pang of regret hearing Eli's disdain for Emily.
Eli was in for trouble.
He didn't realize Emily's true capabilities. He'd regret it soon.
But Isaac didn't say anything.
Eli failed to educate Bianca, who deceived Byron and nearly caused him great harm.
Isaac hung up without giving Eli a chance to speak.
Eli's eager expression turned dark as the call ended.
Furious, he smashed a glass on the coffee table. "It's all Emily's fault!"
Otherwise, he wouldn't need to tread so carefully with Isaac.
"Dad, what's wrong?"
Bianca, just dropped off by James, was startled by the sound of breaking glass and Eli's curses at Emily.
James' face darkened at hearing Emily's name again.
"Nothing, Bianca. You're back. And James, come in!"
Eli quickly changed his expression, smiling and inviting them to sit.
"Mr. Johnson, no need," James said coldly, planning to leave.
Bianca, hearing Eli curse Emily, guessed she had done something again.
She hesitated before asking, "Dad, why were you cursing Emily? Did she do something?"
"That wretch angered the Reyes family, and they want to change project leaders at this critical stage."
Eli couldn't help but snort, his anger evident.
He said it partly on purpose, sneaking a glance at James.
He wanted to gauge James' attitude toward Emily now and hoped he might help with the Johnson family's troubles.
James' face darkened. "How did she turn into this?"
Bianca hesitated before saying, "Dad, we saw Emily not long ago. She even cursed James. I don't know what's gotten into her. She claimed she had nothing to do with the people who bullied me, but who knows who she's been associating with to change so much."
She'd been curious about this.
Emily wasn't like this before.
Such a drastic change must be due to someone new in her life.
Eli's face changed.
His first thought was, "She must be involved with some shady people. No wonder she's so rotten now. Investigate, we must!"
"Investigate what?"
Aiden returned at that moment, asking.
"Of course, investigate Emily."
Bianca seized the moment. "Aiden, the AI expert friend I mentioned can't help you anymore."
"What happened?"
Aiden's face changed dramatically, asking urgently.