Chapter 92: Doing So Much Just to Get Your Attention
"Emily, I didn't expect you to follow me all the way here. Did you finally realize you were wrong?" James said, a smug grin spreading across his face.
Bianca nodded in agreement, convinced Emily had come to the racetrack just for James. After all, Emily had never been to a place like this before. How else could she have found it?
Ignoring their conversation, Emily spoke directly, "Excuse me, you're in the way. Please move."
She started to walk past them toward the track.
"Emily, James was only upset because of your past behavior. He's still your fiancé. Since you're here, why don't you apologize and make up with him?" Bianca lectured.
James raised an eyebrow and looked down at Emily with a self-satisfied smirk, waiting for her apology.
"Who said I was here for him? Get over yourself!" Emily rolled her eyes at them and kept walking.
James' face darkened, and he instinctively reached out to grab Emily. "Emily, since you came all this way, why keep pretending? I'll be generous this time. Considering our past, I won't call off the engagement. Just stay by my side, and we can talk after the race."
Emily dodged James' hand, but someone else was faster.
A hand slapped James' away. "What do you think you're doing? Get your hands off her! Ms. Johnson is not someone you can just touch."
Byron, who had been chatting with his racing buddies and was delayed, arrived just in time to see the scene. Without even looking at James' face, he defended Emily.
Approaching her, Byron asked, "Ms. Johnson, you okay? Don't worry, I'll handle this."
Turning to James, Byron's expression shifted to a lazy smile. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Smith. Didn't you see Ms. Johnson doesn't want to talk to you? Show some respect, will you? Besides..."
Byron glanced at Bianca with a suggestive smile. "Don't you already have another lady friend? Focus on her instead."
He used to think Bianca was great, but Emily had been right; he had been blind. Bianca's pretentiousness was now glaringly obvious, unlike Emily's straightforwardness and charm.
Bianca felt Byron's disdain and was furious. She used to have Byron's admiration, but something Emily had done or said had changed his attitude.
"Byron, what a coincidence! You're here too? Don't misunderstand; James wasn't trying to trouble Emily. She came here for James, but she's shy, which is why you saw that scene."
Bianca turned slightly to show her best side and explained in a supposedly gentle and reasonable manner.
"Nonsense!" Byron snapped, disgusted by her explanation. "Ms. Johnson didn't come here for Mr. Smith. I personally invited her. You must be mistaken. I have a race soon, and I want Ms. Johnson to see me in action, so I won't waste time talking to you."
Turning to Emily, Byron's demeanor softened. "Ms. Johnson, sorry for being late. Let's go. I'll show you my car and take you for a spin before the race."
Emily, pleased with Byron's attitude, nodded. "Sure!"
"Emily!" James couldn't believe she was really leaving. Was she not here for him? He couldn't accept it, especially seeing her with Byron, whom he considered a lowlife.
"Are you really going to stick with such questionable people? This is the last time I'll ask. If you don't come to your senses, I'll call off the engagement publicly. No one will treat you well because you're my fiancée!"
Emily stopped, angered by his words.
Bianca's eyes narrowed with disappointment. If Emily left, James would call off the engagement, and she could become his wife.
James scoffed internally. Emily was clearly reluctant to give up her status as his fiancée.
Emily sneered, "Treated well as your fiancée? You mean being pushed into the water, locked in the bathroom, or thrown down the stairs? I don't need that kind of treatment. Go ahead, announce the breakup!"
"What? Ms. Johnson, you've been through that? That's outrageous! Who did this to you? Tell me, and I'll make sure they pay!" Byron was puzzled why someone as strong as Emily had tolerated such abuse. Was it love's power?
James, as her fiancé, had failed to protect her. It was his fault.
Byron glared at James. "Mr. Smith, if you can't protect your woman, let her go. From now on, I'll take care of Ms. Johnson."
Byron led Emily away, leaving James frozen by her words. Had she really suffered so much without him knowing? She had never mentioned it.
All he'd heard was that Emily was jealous of Bianca and had bullied her, and Bianca had always been understanding.
"Bianca, is what Emily said true?" James asked, agitated.
Bianca was startled by his sudden anger. Her heart sank, but she feigned innocence, "James, I don't know! Emily never told me, and she's not one to tolerate things quietly. Maybe she just wanted to make you feel bad."
James frowned, but Bianca continued, "If Emily lied to make you feel bad, it means she cares about you. You can reconcile with her. No matter her methods, it's because she loves you. Just talk to her, and she'll come around."
James pondered her words in silence.
Just then, the announcer called for the racers to get ready for the first race.