Chapter 68

Chapter 68
The anniversary of Jhonson Hotels Corporation had finally arrived. Emily and Damien were in the car on their way to the event venue.
“What else do I have to do besides give a speech?” Emily asked, breaking the silence. Throughout the drive to the venue, Damien had been engrossed in his phone.
“Just stay by my side,” Damien replied without looking at Emily. His answer made Emily turn her face away and look out the window. Damien noticed her gesture. He lifted his head and observed the side profile of Emily’s face. He had been trying not to look at her all along because of her appearance tonight. A blue evening gown hugged Emily’s figure beautifully. She looked stunning in that dress—sexy and elegant at the same time.
“Emily,” Damien’s call made her look at him. For a moment, Damien didn’t blink. Emily was so beautiful it took his breath away.
“You have to give a welcome speech later,” Damien said without thinking. He was mesmerized by the girl who had taken his wife’s place.
“You already said that.” Emily’s words made Damien immediately look down at his phone. Damn. How could he forget that?
“There are a group of people who have been loyally working for Victoria’s grandfather for a long time.” Emily sighed softly. Why was Damien telling her this now? Was he doing it on purpose to test Emily’s acting skills? Again?
             The car stopped in front of the hotel entrance. Emily stepped out as soon as the driver opened the door, and Damien was already waiting for her with his arm outstretched for her to take. They walked together into the hotel. Once inside, they met Austin, who had arrived earlier. Austin led them to the hall where the event was being held. Several people approached them as soon as they entered.
“Victoria,” An old man greeted her and took Emily’s hand. The girl smiled, starting her act.
“It’s been a long time since I last saw you,” the man said. So, this was one of the people Damien had mentioned? She glanced at Damien and received a small nod from him.
“It’s nice to see you again, Victoria,” the old man continued.
“Victoria,” A woman standing beside the man hugged her, surprising Emily.
“We really wanted to visit you, but this man said you were already doing fine,” the woman said, smiling at Damien.
“Thank you for your thoughts,” Emily replied.
“We’re glad this annual event could be held again, dear,” the woman continued, receiving only a small nod and a smile from Emily.
“We have to greet the other guests,” Damien said.
“See? I look like a fool. Why didn’t you tell me the names of the people who are loyal to Victoria’s grandfather?” Emily whispered to Damien, but he ignored her. Emily wanted to get back at Damien by causing a little chaos at the party, but she held back. It wouldn’t be good to make Victoria look bad in front of people who knew her as the heir to Christian Johnson.
“Victoria,” the voice stopped Victoria and Damien in their tracks.
“Why is he here too?” Emily whispered to the man. Damien nodded.
“He’s family,” Damien replied with a crooked smile that made Emily click her tongue. The girl turned around and saw Victoria’s stepfamily walking toward her.
“I never thought I’d have to wait until today to see you,” Charles’s melancholy voice made Damien stare flatly at the man.
“You didn’t give Dad a single chance to explain what really happened.” The words were directed at Emily, but Charles instead glared at his son-in-law. He shared the same thoughts as the rest of his family. Victoria’s memory loss had been used by Damien as an opportunity to make her hate her family—even her own father.
“I don’t want to hear a thing,” Emily said firmly.
“Besides, this isn’t the right time or place to discuss your mistakes.” Emily’s words silenced Charles. Panic was clearly visible on his face. If he couldn’t quickly mend his relationship with Victoria, who knew what would happen to Charles’s position at the company. Charles knew full well that many people disliked him and coveted the position he currently held.
“Your father isn’t at fault, Victoria.” Those words made Emily immediately fix her gaze on Charles’s wife.
“What part isn’t his fault? The fact that he was still married to someone else and had a relationship with another woman is already a huge mistake. You had an affair with him when he still my mother’s husband.” Victoria’s family just stood there silently watching Emily. They felt as though they were facing a different person. The Victoria they knew didn’t act this harshly. That woman was gentle and soft-spoken.
“I don’t need to hear the whole story to know just how big your mistake is.” Emily glared at Charles. Now Emily was certain that the middle-aged man didn’t love his daughter.
“You’re ruining the company’s anniversary celebration that my grandfather built. You’d better leave,” the girl said, then looked at Damien.
“Where are our seat, Damien?” Emily asked Damien. She had no idea how Damien felt about her acting. She didn’t dwell on it, though, because what she’d said was true.
“Can we sit with you guys?” Catalina’s question made Damien give her a sharp look.
“I mean just me and Brian.” Catalina looked at Victoria pleadingly. Caroline watched her daughter in disbelief. How could she not involve Caroline in persuading Victoria?
“I really hope what happened to our parents doesn’t affect our sibling relationship, Victoria.” Catalina nudged Brian’s hand, who was standing beside her. She wanted her older brother supported her words.
“That’s right, Victoria. I don’t think we have any issues,” Brian said, recalling their lunch last time. There really was no problem between him and Victoria. He had no idea what was going on between Catalina and Victoria.
“Our parents’ choices shouldn’t affect our bond as siblings,” the man continued, causing Caroline to look at her son in disbelief once again. They had truly abandoned Caroline on this matter. Neither of her two children was standing by her side.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t regret saying this,” Damien said, wrapping his arm around Emily’s waist.
“We want to enjoy tonight’s event. If you don’t share the same intentions as us, you can leave.” Damien said firmly.
“Come on, honey.” Damien guided Emily toward their seats, causing Catalina and Brian to watch the couple with jealousy.