Chapter 42 Tools for Maintaining Dignity
Hearing this, Emily said, "Since when did you enjoy these kinds of events?"
She had no interest in playing the loving couple with him at such occasions.
Especially since they'd already finalized the divorce and were just waiting for a chance to handle the paperwork—what was the point of pretending?
But Alex leaned against the doorframe, saying mockingly, "I want to go. Can you stop me?"
"Alex!" Emily paused from changing her shoes and looked up at him coldly. "Addicted to playing the loving couple? Or do you find it amusing to watch me force a smile in front of everyone, cooperating with your act?"
The coldness and sarcasm in her tone were like needles, instantly stinging the man's eyes.
Alex slowly straightened up, the smile on his face fading a bit. "Emily, don't think too highly of yourself. There are a few business partners among our old classmates. You think I'm going there to put on a show with you? Hardly."
He finished with a scoff, coldness spreading in his eyes.
"Business partners?" Emily repeated with self-mockery.
"At the end of the day, I'm just a tool for you, Alex, to maintain appearances, right? Even in front of teachers and classmates you haven't seen in years, you have to drag me out to show off your happy marriage and harmonious family, so you can save face in public?"
Every word dripped with sarcasm. Emily couldn't be bothered to say more.
She knew all too well that the Baker family's reputation meant more to him than anything else.
And she, this Mrs. Baker in name only, naturally became the most suitable prop for maintaining that facade.
"Fine." Suddenly, Emily let go and stopped pushing him. "You do your networking. I'll just go later."
With that, she put down her coat and went straight back to her workbench.
Seeing her pick up her paintbrush again, Alex's face darkened completely.
He'd thought she would be happy, or at worst, try to stop him in anger.
He never expected her to be so indifferent, as if whether he went or not had nothing to do with her.
Alex laughed coldly, irritation surging up. "Suit yourself."The door slammed shut.
Emily closed her eyes. The calm on her face faded, replaced by exhaustion and helplessness.
An hour later, as evening fell.
Emily took her time getting ready before heading out.
The school event was almost over. Many classmates had already left, and text messages urged her to hurry to the afterparty.
The afterparty was at an upscale club with flashing neon lights.
She'd just arrived by taxi and hadn't entered the private room yet when she heard the commotion inside.
"Alex, when are you and Grace going to make it official? We're all waiting to celebrate your wedding!"
"Exactly! Everyone here knows Grace is your first love. Back in college, we could all tell she was different to you."
"A perfect match made in heaven!"
Outside the door.
Emily's hand froze as she was about to push it open.
A perfect match made in heaven?
Ha, how fitting.
Emily had no interest in eavesdropping and was about to go in when she heard her own name.
"Not like that Emily—back then she shamelessly clung to him. She was literally an obstacle in the way."
"Speaking of which, she was such a desperate hanger-on. Even knowing you had Grace in your heart, she still threw herself at you."
"Tsk tsk tsk, wonder how she's doing now. Probably too embarrassed to even think about it, right? Hahaha..."
Every word stung.
The sharp laughter made her feel cold all over.
So this was how others saw her.
A desperate hanger-on, an obstacle?
Emily suddenly laughed. How interesting.
Inside the room.
Grace's tone was gentle and gracious, the picture of consideration. "Don't talk about Miss Johnson like that. She didn't deliberately get between Alex and me."
Which only confirmed that Emily had interfered with their relationship.
Everyone started discussing again.
What hurt Emily most was that Alex hadn't explained a single thing from start to finish.
His silence was essentially agreement.
An uncontrollable anger instantly surged up.
Emily took a deep breath, suppressing the moisture in her eyes.
Inside, Grace looked smug, sitting beside Alex looking even more delicate. "Alex, why don't we..."Suddenly, a loud noise—someone pushed the door open.
The previously noisy chatter instantly fell silent.
Everyone's eyes turned toward the doorway.
"Wait... Emily?"
The person who'd been making the most noise earlier had a frozen smile on his face, his eyes full of shock.
Emily stood in the doorway, her face terrifyingly calm.
Ignoring everyone's shocked stares, she walked straight to the table.
A crisp sound as an exquisite, expensive diamond ring was slapped onto the table.
The moment they saw what it was, Alex's face darkened. "Emily, what's the meaning of this?"
It was their wedding ring.
For three years, she'd carried it with her, treasuring it.
Even though the marriage had long been a shell, she'd never thought of throwing it away.
But now... ha, she found it dirty.
"Everyone, sorry to interrupt." Her voice was clear and sharp, without a trace of warmth. "Alex and I have been married for three years. As of now, we're not divorced yet."
One sentence, and the air in the room completely froze.
Mar—married?
Alex and Emily?
The expressions on everyone's faces were spectacular—shock, disbelief, even doubt.
Grace's face looked especially ugly, panic flashing in her eyes.
This wedding ring was like a slap across her face.
Emily's gaze slowly swept over everyone present, finally landing on Alex.
Suddenly, she smiled. "But as you all wished, we're getting divorced soon."
"Miss Miller certainly won't blame me for getting between them, because she's the mistress."
Grace's mind reeled. Emily actually dared to—
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell everyone—I'm currently rushing to finish a design. It's for Miss Miller and Mr. Baker's new wedding rings."
"After all, I do understand about helping lovers unite. Can't have you two sneaking around forever, right?"
With that, she looked at Alex mockingly and turned to leave.
Her slender figure showed no lingering attachment.
Her words were like boulders thrown into a lake, instantly stirring up enormous waves!
Everyone erupted in discussion.
So Grace was the third party who interfered in someone else's marriage?
For a moment, everyone present had different expressions.
Grace clutched her hands in humiliation, her nails nearly tearing through the fabric.
At this moment, the room was deathly silent. No one dared speak.
Alex's expression was complicated as he watched her resolute departing figure, immediately getting up to chase after her.
"Alex!" Grace startled and instinctively tried to grab him.
But she couldn't even touch the corner of his clothes.
Humiliation, embarrassment... all flooded Grace's heart.
Unable to suppress the viciousness in her heart, she gritted her teeth. "Emily Johnson!"
At that moment, at the club entrance.
Alex hurried out, only to see Emily getting into a taxi.