Chapter 196: Just Watch Me Put Her in Her Place
Emily didn’t hold back as she walked through the door, carrying the dog in her arms. She strode in confidently.
Looking around, she realized that although the villa wasn't as grand as Smith Manor, it was still spacious enough, and infinitely better than the cramped rental she used to live in.
Besides, she had nowhere else to go. Given the choice between a nice villa and sleeping under a bridge, who wouldn't pick the villa?
"Let me take Snowball," Mary said, reaching for the Samoyed in Emily's arms. But Emily dodged, clutching the dog tighter.
Emily gave an innocent smile, stroking the obedient pup. "Let me hold him a bit longer. I really like dogs, and he seems to like me too."
The small gesture carried an unmistakable undertone, a forceful attempt to insert herself into the family dynamic. Mary's displeasure stirred beneath the surface, her tone growing cold. "We should put him in the backyard. Sophia doesn't like dogs. I don't want dog hair everywhere making her uncomfortable."
At the mention of Sophia's name, Emily bit back her resentment, though her expression remained pleasant as she handed over the dog.
Then she added with calculated ambiguity, "I really envy Sophia. Wherever she goes, everyone respects her wishes. This whole huge house, and just because she doesn't like dogs, everyone accommodates her."
The implication was clear enough. Everyone else had become Sophia's servants.
Mary's face darkened immediately. She shot Ray a pointed look, silently demanding he deal with the trouble he'd brought home, then marched toward the backyard with Snowball in her arms.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Ray rubbed his nose sheepishly. He felt uncomfortable too, but Lucas loved that dog, and Emily had been the one to find it. He could hardly invite her in only to throw her right back out.
He settled onto the opposite sofa, maintaining a careful distance, and asked coolly, "When you left the Smith family, didn't they give you anything?"
At the mention of it, Emily's eyes welled with tears. "They never liked me. When Smith Group went bankrupt recently, George actually attacked me with an antique clock. I have no money, nowhere to go... I don't know what to do anymore."
Ray fell silent. Emily had left so decisively back then, breaking their entire family's hearts. It had taken years to finally integrate Sophia into the household. Naturally, they wouldn't let Emily move back in.
But still... if she was wandering the streets penniless and fell in with the wrong people, her entire life could be ruined.
Time had dulled the pain of abandonment. What remained were the memories of those seventeen years together.
Looking at the tearful, pitiful girl before him, Ray suddenly recalled Emily as a newborn, her tiny hands waving at him while she babbled adorably.
Complex emotions churned inside him. He let out a heavy sigh, unable to make a decision.
Seeing his hesitation, Emily pressed her advantage with one final push. "Dad, I've missed you all so much these years. I always remember how you'd take me to the park to ride the swings, to the amusement park to ride the carousel. The Smith family was awful. They mistreated me, locked me in a house abroad and wouldn't let me leave. Dad, I know I hurt you all back then. I don't expect to come back. Just being able to apologize in person is enough for me. I'll leave now."
She stood to go. Just as she reached the door, Ray's heavy, frustrated sigh echoed behind her. "Wait. Where would you even go?"
Emily stopped and turned around. Head lowered, tears streaming down her face, she clutched at her skirt as if wrestling with the decision for a long time before finally saying through gritted teeth, "People always find a way to survive. Worst case scenario..."
She left the sentence hanging, then pivoted. "I'll figure something out myself. Your family is happy now. I shouldn't disturb that."
The unfinished thought was enough to set Ray's imagination spinning in dark directions. He quickly called her back. Yes, she'd made mistakes, but he wasn't heartless enough to watch her end up on the streets.
"All right, all right." He scratched his head wearily. "Sit down for now. I'll call everyone home for dinner and we'll discuss this as a family."
In the backyard, Mary had heard every word through the glass door. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, as if the thorn that had lodged there six years ago was being violently ripped out.
Tearing open a fresh wound. Blood and raw.
Soon, all family members received the group message calling them home for dinner, something important needed discussing.
James: I'm shooting a commercial. I'll catch the next train back after we wrap. Probably won't get home until eight or nine.
Lucas: I'm free. Just need to tell Mr. White.
Evelyn: I'll swap shifts with a colleague. Should be able to get there early.
Sophia: I have an overseas conference call tonight. Won't finish until nine. What's so important it can't wait?
Mary: Snowball's been found.
Lucas: Really?!
Mary: Emily found him.
The group chat fell into sudden silence. The implication was clear—Emily had shown up at their door, and apparently wanted back into the Johnson family.
Remembering how Emily had tried to manipulate him last time, Lucas felt rage flare in his eyes. He started to record a voice message to vent, then stopped. Ranting in the group chat wouldn't be satisfying enough.
He needed to confront her face-to-face.
Lucas: Coming home right after school!
Just watch me put her in her place!
By seven that evening, the aroma of dinner wafted through the Johnson villa's dining room.
Mary mechanically set out the silverware, the utensils clinking sharply in her hands.
She kept glancing toward the living room, where Emily sat on the sofa playing with the newly returned Snowball, a sweet smile plastered across her face.
"Mom, do you need any help?" Emily suddenly looked up, catching Mary's gaze.
Mary's fingers trembled. A fork clattered to the floor with a harsh metallic ring.
"No need." She bent to retrieve it, her voice colder than the metal itself.
She genuinely didn't know how to face this "daughter" she'd loved for seventeen years, who had left and now returned.
Ray emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of freshly dressed fruit salad. Seeing the scene, his lips pressed into a tight line. "Mary, don't force yourself," he said quietly.
"I know." Mary turned and walked back into the kitchen, her back rigid as stone.
A flash of darkness crossed Emily's eyes, quickly replaced by an innocent expression. "Dad, Mom, this is all my fault. If you can't accept me, I understand. Let me leave before everyone else gets back."