Chapter 69: She Is Willing to Stay, But I Find It Dirty
"Mr. Johnson is so generous, why not leave Bianca here?"
Byron wasn't clueless; he quickly caught on to Eli's intentions. Feeling a sense of injustice for Emily, he decided to speak up.
Eli's face darkened. "Byron, you really know how to joke."
Bianca was about to agree, curious to see what Emily would do if she stayed. Was she really going to keep trying to seduce Byron?
Noticing Eli's expression, Bianca finally understood and felt a bit nervous.
Byron saw through their reactions and added, "Of course, I was joking. Even if she wanted to stay, I wouldn't want her here. Who's she trying to disgust?"
Then he got to the point. "I heard you brought a kid with you. Coincidentally, I don't have a little brother. Why not let him stay at my place and keep me company?"
Eli frowned, suspecting it was Emily's idea. But seeing Emily's changing expression, he reconsidered. He had adopted Liam because of Emily, but now that she had apologized, he didn't have the energy to truly take care of him.
Byron probably saw through his thoughts. "How about this? You give me the kid, and I'll give you a one percent share of the project. What do you think, Mr. Johnson?"
He even specifically asked Isaac, who had called in, "Dad, do you have any objections?"
Isaac, bedridden and unaware of the outside situation, didn't believe Byron came up with this on his own. It must have been Emily's idea.
"For such a small matter, you can decide!"
Eli had no objections and left Liam behind. Then he left with Bianca.
"Liam, come here, leave with me, and live with me from now on, okay?"
Liam, scared after being taken to see one stranger after another in unfamiliar places, ran to Emily immediately when she beckoned and nodded. "I want to stay with Emily!"
"Mr. Reyes, Byron, I'll be going now."
Emily finished her business and planned to leave with Liam. Byron looked reluctant. "Ms. Johnson, didn't you say you'd stay? I'll miss you..."
"Shut up, that's disgusting. I just didn't want to leave with those two. Don't forget you promised to take me out before the competition. Call me."
She was short on money. She hadn't forgotten that around this time in her past life, Aiden had an AI project. In her previous life, thanks to her help, that project made a fortune once it launched. In this life, without her, the progress might be slower. She needed to get this project done before then.
"Ms. Johnson, don't worry!"
Emily nodded and reminded Isaac. "Mr. Reyes, don't forget the two percent split."
At the time, she and Isaac had agreed on the split using hand gestures in front of Eli and Bianca. Isaac chuckled. "Don't worry, I won't forget. The two percent is all yours."
"No, although I really need the money, I have principles. We agreed on a seventy-thirty split."
Emily left with Liam, and the area outside the Reyes Villa was empty. Luckily, Daniel had already left. Byron had arranged for a driver to take them back.
In the car, Emily called Sophia to confirm the adoption paperwork was done. She also informed the orphanage director. "Director, I've taken Liam with me. I'll take good care of him and bring him back to visit occasionally. Liam, say hello to the director."
"Hello, Director!"
Liam's innocent voice was sweet and well-behaved. The director, who genuinely loved the children, was emotional and happy for Liam. "Good, that's good. Liam, be good at Emily's home."
After returning, Emily first took Liam to her place. With Violette, Sofia, and cousin Atticus around, Liam wouldn't feel lonely.
Today, the sick puppies were brought back. Biscuit and Cloudy, who had recovered, were much more active. Liam liked them a lot and soon started playing with them.
Emily explained Liam's background and her adoption to Violette and the others.
"From now on, he's part of the family too. Violette, treat him like a nephew. But I'll need your help with taking care of him."
Violette, who had heard that Emily was briefly adopted by a scrap collector named Elijah, felt a pang of sympathy and gratitude towards Elijah.
"Emily, don't worry. I'll treat him like my own child," Violette said, glancing tenderly at Liam playing outside with Biscuit.
Then she asked what Emily wanted to eat, planning to make it for her.
"No need, Violette. I need to visit Mr. Smith next door. Don't worry about dinner for me."
Emily hadn't forgotten her business.
She wrote down the ingredients she needed for tonight and headed to the neighboring villa.
"Ms. Johnson, you're here. Come in!"
York quickly opened the door and welcomed Emily inside.
Daniel, even when sick, had many matters to attend to.
He was lounging on the sofa in a casual T-shirt, listening to several well-dressed men respectfully report something.
Despite his relaxed posture, his commanding presence drew all attention to him.
Daniel seemed unaware of Emily's arrival.
He lifted his eyelids slightly, his gaze naturally commanding, "That's all for today. I want to see a new plan tomorrow!"
"Yes, sir!"
The men visibly relaxed and quickly responded before gathering their documents and leaving swiftly, as if chased by a beast.
Emily was surprised. Was Daniel really that intimidating?
To scare high-level executives like that, was it because she had become bolder after her rebirth, or did Daniel only show a softer side to her?
Emily shook her head to dismiss such thoughts.
"You're here!"
Daniel's long eyelashes cast shadows under his eyes, making his gaze even more profound and mysterious.
He spoke calmly, seemingly unsurprised by her visit.
"Yes, I need to check around, including your room and study. Is that okay?"
After all, those were private and personal spaces.
But those places were also often overlooked and prone to issues.
Daniel's fingers curled slightly, but his face remained calm, "Of course."
Only York knew that Daniel disliked anyone entering his private spaces.
Could Emily really become Daniel's future wife?
But then he thought of that female doctor.
Daniel had let her into his bathroom and even had an intimate moment, later asking York to prepare clothes for her.
Daniel, who had always kept his distance from women, suddenly had two female friends. Could he be interested in both?
Daniel would have thrown York out to show his true anger if he knew his thoughts!
"I'll go upstairs to check."
Emily nodded, glad there were no objections.
She had just started checking his room when James showed up.
"Daniel, I'm here to apologize for my mother. She was deceived and didn't really intend to use the Smith family name for those actions!"
James bowed respectfully.
He had just returned from a business trip and learned that his mother had been caught using the Smith family name for some business, and her partner had run off.
Daniel sat naturally on the sofa, legs crossed, and lifted his eyelids slightly, his presence alone intimidating James.
"Apology accepted. Don't let it happen again. You can leave now," he said lightly, making James stiffen.
"Mr. Smith, I checked upstairs, and everything is fine..."
Emily came down and spoke to the people below.
Her familiar voice made James look up in shock, "What are you doing here?"