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Chapter 5 Visiting to Discuss the Marriage

"Delta, I get it," James said, setting down his soup bowl, sounding pretty worn out. "Take a break; I can handle things here."

Delta looked like she wanted to say more, but seeing how drained James looked, she just nodded and left the room quietly.

The next day, eight sleek black Bentleys rolled up to the Johnson Villa in a line. Each car screamed money, showing off the Smith family's power. Once they parked, a bunch of uniformed servants hopped out and started unloading wedding gifts like a well-oiled machine. The fancy boxes were packed with glittering treasures, shiny jewelry, famous paintings, and antique porcelain. The whole scene was so over-the-top, it almost blinded the servants watching.

With Amelia's help, Hayden stepped out of the car in a sharp black suit, looking strong and confident.

Right behind him, Jasper and Isabella had smug looks on their faces, like all those gifts were for them.

James sat in a wheelchair, pushed by Preston. His handsome face was blank, giving off a cold vibe that made Emily, who was waiting upstairs, even more nervous.

"Please, come in!" Aiden and Mia greeted the Smith family warmly, leading them into the living room.

Under Mia's urging, Emily slowly came downstairs. She walked up to Hayden and said, "Hello, Mr. Smith."

Hayden looked at the sweet and beautiful Emily and nodded approvingly. "Good, you're really beautiful."

He then turned to Amelia and asked, "This is James's fiancée. She's stunning, right? I have a good eye, don't I?"

Amelia hid a flicker of jealousy and forced a smile. "Yes, you always pick the best. She looks well-educated and gentle, perfect for James."

Emily felt uneasy with Amelia's words. She glanced at James, but he just kept his eyes down, like none of this mattered to him.

"Emily," Mia pulled her aside and whispered, "The Smith family isn't just any family. They have a lot of rules. Once you marry in, you have to be careful and not embarrass the Johnson family."

Emily felt a sting of bitterness. She'd been spoiled by her parents her whole life and never had to be so cautious. But thinking of the Johnson Group and her family, she swallowed her pride.

"Mom, I understand," Emily replied softly.

"Good," Mia patted her hand and forced a smile. "Go on, don't keep the Smith family waiting."

Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and walked over to sit next to James.

Mia sat down beside Emily with a smile, gently patting her hand to help her relax.

Hayden laughed heartily and turned to Aiden, "Mr. Johnson, let's seal this deal. I keep my promises. As soon as Emily marries into our family, I'll sign the contract to help the Johnson Group out of this mess."

Aiden and Mia exchanged a look, a hint of joy in their eyes.

Aiden quickly raised his wine glass. "Mr. Smith, here's to you. Our kids are about to get married. Emily will be with your son soon, and I hope you'll treat her well."

"Of course," Hayden said, raising his glass and downing it in one go.

As the toasts went around, Emily could feel the icy stares from Jasper and Isabella, like cold, slithering snakes, making her skin crawl.

James stayed quiet the whole time, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

The wedding gifts filled the hall, but the fancy living room felt eerily silent.

Emily looked down, nervously twisting the hem of her dress. James' silence made her feel like she was walking on eggshells. She stole a glance at him; his chiseled profile was cold and stern, like he was carved from ice. It was like this marriage, which was about to change her life, was just another boring business deal to him.

"One more thing..." Amelia said with a smile, pulling out a box. "These deeds are for 72 street-front shops under the Smith Group, and a Riverside Villa for the newlyweds. As for the car, you can pick any from the Smith Family's garage or get a new one from the dealership if you prefer."

Aiden and Mia were stunned. They hadn't expected the Smith Family to be so generous, not only agreeing to invest but also throwing in a mansion and 72 prime shops.

Just the value of these wedding gifts alone could pull the Johnson Group out of its crisis.

"You're too kind," Aiden said gratefully, glancing at Emily. Even though she wasn't thrilled about the marriage, at least the Smith Family valued her, which put his mind at ease.

Hayden cleared his throat, a shrewd glint in his eyes. He turned to James and asked, "James, any thoughts? Share them with everyone."

All eyes were on James, but he seemed lost in his own world, staying silent.

Just when Emily thought he wouldn't say anything, he suddenly moved.

James lifted his gaze, his deep eyes slowly scanning everyone before landing on Emily.

His thin lips parted, his voice deep and a bit hoarse. "I have no objections. You can decide about my marriage, Dad."

His simple sentence was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Emily felt a tremor in her heart. James' gaze was so deep, she couldn't read his thoughts or tell if he meant what he said.

"That's good!" Hayden said, clearly pleased with James's response. "In that case, let's finalize this marriage! We'll pick a good date next month and have the wedding!"

"So soon?" Emily blurted out, not expecting the wedding to be so quick. She hadn't even graduated yet!

"Not soon at all, don't worry. We'll make sure it's grand and you won't be wronged!" Isabella quickly chimed in, though she was inwardly fuming. She hadn't expected the Smith Family to give so many wedding gifts. When she married into the Smith Family, the gifts weren't even half of this.

It seemed Hayden really doted on James.

After the proposal, the elders seemed to find excuses to leave, giving Emily and James some space.

In the vast living room, only the crystal chandelier cast a cold light, reflecting the room's opulence but also highlighting the indescribable distance between Emily and James.

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