Chapter 64: Speak Nonsense Again, and You Won't Need Your Mouth Anymore
"Alright!"
"What?"
"I said alright, I'll go with you to the Reyes Villa!"
Emily's sudden agreement took Eli by surprise.
Emily repeated herself, her eyes icy. "Now can you let go of Liam?"
Eli shot Emily a cold look and signaled to the bodyguards.
Liam was released, gasping and coughing, tears streaming down his face. His small frame made the scene even more heart-wrenching.
Eli, perhaps fearing Emily might change her mind, didn't fully release Liam.
"You think you can take me on? You're still too green. Let's go!" Eli sneered, ready to drag Liam out.
He knew Emily cared about Liam, so he wasn't worried she wouldn't follow.
"Wait!"
Aaron frowned, stepping in Eli's path. "Mr. Johnson, if you let Liam go, I can..."
"Aaron!" Emily cut him off, knowing what he was about to say.
She'd rather forgo any benefits than give in to Eli.
Her face was calm, but her eyes were resolute.
Aaron understood her meaning but was still worried. "But if you go with him, he's clearly going to humiliate you."
"Exactly, Emily, you can't go. Eli is a complete scumbag. Who knows how he'll treat you at the Reyes Villa!" Sophia added, worried.
Eli's gaze shifted to Aaron.
"And who are you?"
He remembered Bianca saying that Emily had been hanging out with some unsavory characters lately, which made her rebellious and disobedient.
His tone was icy, his eyes hostile as he scrutinized Aaron.
Aaron looked decent enough, not like the thug Eli imagined.
But some people are good at hiding their true selves.
"Who he is has nothing to do with you. Aren't we leaving? Stop wasting time, let's go!"
Emily didn't like the way Eli was looking at her friend and stepped in front of Aaron, speaking coldly.
To Eli, it seemed like Emily was protecting Aaron out of affection.
Eli was furious. "Is this the reason you've been causing trouble at home and with James? Because of this guy? Is he the one pushing you behind the scenes?"
"You're so naive. He can't compare to James. Break it off with him immediately. When we get back, you're moving back to the Johnson Villa."
Eli's words insulted both Emily and Aaron.
Aaron felt grateful for Emily's defense but was getting increasingly annoyed with Eli.
He knew how poorly Emily was treated at the Johnson Villa and had long been dissatisfied with Eli. If it weren't for Emily, he would've taken action against the Johnson Group already.
Recently, he'd noticed Emily waking up to the reality of her situation and was planning his move when Eli walked right into his trap.
"Remove your finger, or even if you're Emily's father, I won't be polite."
His presence made the air around them chill as he spoke coldly.
Despite Aaron's usual good nature towards Emily, he was not to be trifled with.
The Hill family was well-respected, though not wealthy. Aaron was the only one in the family involved in business, which had caused some discontent among his relatives. They didn't allow him to use the Hill family name, so few knew of his connection to them.
Emily didn't want Aaron to get involved. She tugged on his hand.
Then she spoke to Eli, "If you don't want to go, hand Liam over to me. I have things to do."
Eli didn't expect some random guy to dare challenge him.
But the Reyes family's matters were urgent. He'd have someone look into Aaron later.
"Let's go!"
Eli signaled for Emily to follow.
Sophia, still worried, wanted to come along. Emily leaned in and whispered, "Stay here and help me finalize Liam's adoption papers."
"Is that what you mean... Alright, I'll make sure it's done."
Sophia's eyes lit up.
This meant Emily had a plan and would return safely from the Reyes Villa.
Sophia had great faith in Emily. If Emily said it, it must be true.
Emily didn't explain further. She turned to Aaron, "Once the paperwork is done, please make sure Sophia gets home safely."
Aaron was still uneasy.
Emily smiled confidently. "Do you think I'd let myself be taken advantage of?"
Her smile widened, but it was cold. "For those who plot against me, I always collect interest!"
Aaron shivered.
Eli had messed with the wrong person without realizing it. He knew Emily was ready to strike.
He didn't insist on following.
"Get in the car!"
As Emily walked out, Eli waited by the car, indicating she should ride with him.
Emily hesitated.
Eli spoke, "I need to talk to you about James. I thought you were just confused, but now I see you're rotten to the core. If James finds out you're involved with unsavory people, do you think he'll stay with you?"
"So what?"
Emily knew this accusation was likely Bianca's doing.
It was laughable that her own father, Eli, didn't defend her but believed Bianca's lies.
He even thought she was an embarrassment.
"What's with your attitude? No wonder James is losing patience with you. I don't think your engagement will last. I suggested to James that he find a new fiancée. Your sister Bianca is so much more capable and understanding. She matches James perfectly, and he's already agreed."
Eli was lying.
James had refused, but Eli thought Emily was so unruly and unclean that it was better to pair Bianca with James instead of letting the engagement fall apart.
James didn't reject Bianca outright, probably because of Emily.
With that in mind, Eli continued, "Since you've decided to break off the engagement with James, do it cleanly and stop pestering him."
Emily dug her nails into her palm to suppress her emotions.
So early on, the Johnson family had been plotting for Bianca to be with James.
James was truly hypocritical, being with Bianca while pretending to be devoted to Emily.
Emily felt disgusted.
So dirty, so disgusting!
How could she have been so foolish in her past life?
"What's wrong with you? Are you pregnant? Whose child is it? James hasn't been with you lately, so it can't be his!"
Eli's face darkened. "How could you be so shameless and disgraceful? Once the Reyes family matter is settled, I'll take you to the hospital. If you're pregnant, we'll terminate it!"