Chapter 36
The AC in the car was blasting at full force, but Emily felt unbearably hot all over.
The heat didn't come from the temperature, but from the disgusting, aggressive aura emanating from James.
She forced herself to calm down, her fingers gripping the seatbelt tightly, knuckles turning pale.
A head-on confrontation clearly wouldn't work. James was a madman right now, and if she pushed him too far, her children would be the ones to suffer.
Since he wanted to see Emily submit, she would put on a show for him.
Emily took a deep breath and slowly pulled her gaze back from the window, letting it fall on James's gloomy profile.
Her voice was no longer as sharp as before, but carried a deliberately suppressed weariness and compromise.
"James, do you really have to be so ruthless?" Emily's tone was soft, with a hint of trembling.
"We almost became husband and wife after all. How can you threaten me with my children now?"
James had his eyes closed, resting. Hearing her voice, his lips slowly curved into a triumphant smile.
He opened his eyes and turned his head, his gaze behind the sunglasses falling on her face, scrutinizing her expression.
"Husband and wife?" James sneered mockingly. "We never even registered our marriage, didn't even have a wedding. What kind of husband and wife is that?"
Emily lowered her eyelids, hiding the hatred in her heart, her voice hoarse. "But my two children are innocent."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, looking so fragile and helpless, the evil fire in James's heart seemed to dissipate considerably, replaced by a twisted sense of satisfaction. "Why didn't you act like this earlier?"
What he liked wasn't Emily herself, just that her face happened to satisfy his preferences.
He hadn't noticed how pretty she was before, letting Emily sleep with other men. Now that he'd noticed, naturally, this Emily should be his.
Of course, James never intended to develop any real feelings with Emily. He just enjoyed seeing her in his grasp, forced to submit.
James reached out his hand, wanting to touch her cheek.
Emily's body stiffened sharply, instinctively wanting to dodge, but reason told her she couldn't.
She forcibly suppressed the urge to pull away, only her eyelashes trembling violently.
James's fingers touched her cool skin, the texture delicate.
He paused slightly, then pressed harder with his fingers, pinching her cheek until it hurt.
"If you're begging me, then show some sincerity." James withdrew his hand and leaned back against the seat, his tone returning to its previous nonchalance.
"I can spare those two children, but only if you satisfy me."
"Fine." Emily practically squeezed the word out through clenched teeth.
The car finally stopped in front of a top-tier private club in the city center.
The environment here was quiet and secluded with excellent privacy—a place James had always liked to visit.
Emily had been here with him once before, but back then she was the object of everyone's mockery and manipulation.
When getting out, James gentlemanly walked around to open the car door for her, even offering a supporting hand under Emily's elbow.
Anyone who didn't know better might think they were a happily married couple.
"Come with me."
Emily suppressed the urge to shake off his hand and let him escort her into the club.
The club's interior was luxuriously decorated, the air filled with expensive fragrance.
They took seats in a booth by the window. James smoothly handed her the menu, his burning gaze fixed on Emily. "Order whatever you want, don't hold back."
Emily randomly ordered a few light dishes, having no appetite at all.
"Are you afraid I'll poison you?" James looked at her with a half-smile, but didn't make an issue of it.
In his view, Emily was already in his pocket, so naturally, he could afford to show her some good grace.
"No." Emily forced a smile and proactively picked up the lemon water in front of her, offering it to James.
"Let's let the past be the past. After all, there's no deep hatred between us. If I did anything wrong, I apologize, and I hope you won't hold it against me." Emily lowered her stance, and this appearance clearly pleased James even more.
James took the glass but only swirled it lightly without drinking.
"Of course. You know what I want. Spend one night with me, and I'll let you go." His purpose was crystal clear, the aggression in his eyes like a beast ready to devour its prey.
"But..." Emily bit her lip, hesitating.
"No buts." James cut her off directly, leaning slightly closer to Emily.
"I've never failed to get what I want. We're old acquaintances, so you know my personality. Emily, now that I'm giving you a chance, you should cherish it." He was condescending, acting like he was doing her a favor, making Emily's stomach turn.
Before Emily could say anything else, James pulled out a card from his pocket and pushed it in front of her.
It was a hotel room key card, printed with a luxury hotel logo and a room number.
Seeing Emily's suddenly panicked, pale face, James smiled wickedly.
"Emily, you understand what I mean." He slowly leaned closer to Emily, his voice low, carrying a light threat. "Emerald Oasis Hotel, room 8808. I want to see you there tonight. If you don't come..."
James paused, his eyes suddenly turning cold, the playfulness in his tone transforming into an icy blade.
"Then I'll personally take your two children to kindergarten and tell everyone there that your two children are bastards, their father unknown."
Emily clutched the room card tightly, her lips pressed together.
The card felt like a red-hot branding iron, burning her palm.
This was his goal, this was his true nature!
Emily knew he'd always been extremely goal-oriented, but she hadn't expected James wouldn't even bother to pretend.
Then again, in his eyes, Emily was just a nobody he could threaten at will. Why would he waste time on her?
Her eyes reddened slightly, and in the end, she only asked in a trembling voice, "Can I go home to pack first?"
James looked appreciatively at her struggle and final submission, the sense of satisfaction in his heart gradually filling up.
Perhaps Emily's expression pleased him, because James waved his hand magnanimously and nodded in agreement.
"Eight o'clock tonight. I'll send someone to pick you up."
With his goal about to be achieved, James didn't mind showing her some kindness.
Even when Emily finally left, he had someone drive her back to the small courtyard.