Chapter 3

She did it to sleep with James?

"Who wanted to sleep with you? That night, you dragged me into the room. Were you so drunk that you forgot?"

It was James who forced himself on her, taking her virginity, and now he had the nerve to turn it around on her!

James let out a cold snort, tightening his grip slightly. "Don't try to play smart with me. I hate being manipulated."

He had thought that night was just an accident, but now he believed it was all part of her plan.

Emily wasn't as innocent as she appeared. At such a young age, she had such deep schemes!

Emily's heart sank, and she tried to explain, "I didn't."

"Earlier, you said your private life was chaotic? That you couldn't have children?" James laughed coldly, his voice devoid of warmth. "Do you think I'd believe that? Or do you think I'm that easy to fool?"

His thumb brushed along her jawline, his gaze sharp as a knife. "That night was your first time."

Recalling that night, her tightness and softness, James's eyes darkened.

"I'm not lying!" Emily panicked, grasping at any excuse. "Don't you know there's a surgery called hymen repair?"

All she could think about was getting James to call off the engagement.

James laughed in anger. "Do you think I'd believe you?"

"I'm telling the truth. You can check if you don't believe me!"

James leaned in close, his warm breath on her ear, carrying a dangerous edge. "Fine, I'll call the family doctor right now. If it turns out your report is fake."

He paused, his eyes cold enough to freeze. "You should know what will happen to the Johnson family."

Playing hard to get wouldn't work on him.

Emily's face turned pale. If the family doctor checked, they'd immediately know her report was fake.

Her little tricks were laughable in the face of James's dominance.

She couldn't risk the Johnson family.

"I agree to the marriage."

Satisfied with her answer, James released her chin, but his voice remained icy. "Don't play these silly games again, or I won't be responsible for what happens."

He had no patience for these childish games.

Not wanting to waste more words on her, James got into his car. As the door closed, he cast a cold glance at Emily.

Watching the car speed away, Emily's medical report slipped from her hand to the ground.

For the first time, she truly felt how small she was in the face of absolute power.

The wedding day arrived quickly.

Emily wore a luxurious white wedding dress, the diamonds on her chest sparkling under the lights.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Emily felt a bit dazed. She couldn't believe she was getting married.

The wedding officiant stepped onto the stage and cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, due to an unexpected situation, the groom cannot attend the wedding in person. He has arranged for his assistant to complete the ceremony on his behalf."

The crowd erupted in whispers, guests looking at Emily with mockery, sympathy, and schadenfreude...

Those strange looks felt like countless cold needles piercing Emily.

She never expected James to humiliate her like this at their wedding.

Hayden and Sophia's eyes reddened, holding Emily's hand in distress. "The Smith family is too much. I'll go demand an explanation! We won't marry into this family!"

Hayden's face was also full of anger, agreeing, "Yeah, we won't let you go through this! No way!"

Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Mom, Dad, we can't afford to piss off the Smith family. I can't put the Johnson family in danger because of me."

Hayden and Sophia fell silent.

Everyone knew the Smith family was ruthless. If they crossed the Smiths, the Johnson family might disappear from Emerald City forever.

"But how can we let you marry into that family? How can we be okay with this?" Sophia's face was full of pain.

Emily gently held Sophia's hand, pretending to be relaxed. "Mom, don't worry. I won't let myself be mistreated. The priority is to get through the wedding. We can't let the guests laugh at us."

Though worried, Hayden and Sophia could only nod helplessly, feeling even more heartache for Emily.

The Smith family was a den of dragons and tigers, but they could only watch Emily jump in, powerless to help.

Aiden's face was livid. "Where's that jerk James? Not showing up on his wedding day, does he want the whole of Emerald City to laugh at us?"

The butler bowed respectfully. "Mr. Smith has always been against this marriage. Agreeing to it was already a compromise."

"Compromise?" Aiden suppressed his anger. "Find him for me!"

Meanwhile, in the study at the Smith Manor.

"Mr. James Smith, are you sure you won't attend the wedding? Mr. Aiden Smith will be furious."

James crossed his long legs, lounging lazily on the sofa, watching the live stream of his wedding on his tablet.

Admiring Emily's pale, helpless face, he smirked coldly. "I agreed to the marriage, but I never said I'd attend the wedding."

Emily had schemed to marry into the Smith family. If it weren't for getting news of her mother Ava Smith from Aiden, she wouldn't even have the qualification to enter the Smith Manor.

Today's wedding was her punishment for scheming against him!

The officiant stood awkwardly on stage, the noise from the crowd growing louder.

Emily suddenly lifted her wedding dress and walked up to the stage, taking the microphone from the officiant.

"Ladies and gentlemen," her voice echoed through the speakers, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience today."

The crowd fell silent, all eyes on her.

"James had an 'unexpected situation' and couldn't attend," she emphasized 'unexpected situation,' a faint smile on her lips. "Since the Smith family sent a representative, the ceremony will continue."

"James may have lost his composure today, but I'm marrying the Smith family, not just James. So please continue to witness my wedding."

Her words gave the Smith family a way out while also delivering a sharp jab at James.

Aiden's expression softened, looking at Emily with a bit more approval.

At the same time, he was furious with James for being so reckless!

Watching Emily's performance at the wedding, James sat up straight, his face dark and terrifying.

He had underestimated her. A twenty-year-old girl had such courage, daring to mock him!

The bedroom in the Smith Manor was vast and empty. After the wedding, Emily was sent to the bedroom, waiting until late at night.

Throughout the entire wedding, James never showed up. She completed the ceremony alone, amidst the guests' gossip.