Chapter 4

The door lock clicked softly, and James pushed the door open, spotting Emily sitting on the bed in her cartoon pajamas. "You stole the show at the wedding today."

Emily, already fuming, snapped at his sarcastic tone, "Why didn't you show up at the wedding today?"

James raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with mockery. "What are you pretending for, Emily? Don't act like you're some victim. You schemed your way into the Smith family, and now that you've achieved your goal, does it matter if I was there or not?"

"It matters!" Emily stood up abruptly, her chest heaving with emotion. "This marriage was forced on me by your Smith family, and today you made a fool out of me in front of all of Emerald City! What do you take me for? A prop to be humiliated at will?"

"What else?" James took a step closer, looking down at her with eyes as cold as ice. "You think I wanted to marry you? If it weren't for my father, do you think you'd have the right to step into this house?"

Emily was intimidated by his presence but refused to back down. "I don't care if you wanted to or not. Now that we're married, you owe me the respect I deserve! James, your actions today not only humiliated me but also disgraced your father!"

"Don't use my father to pressure me." James sneered, about to say more when his phone rang urgently.

He glanced at the caller ID, ignored Emily, and answered the call as he walked out. "I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, he headed for the door, clearly intending to leave.

Emily quickly blocked his path. "Tonight is our wedding night. Where are you going?"

She had vaguely heard a woman's voice on the call. A man like James probably had countless lovers outside, and she didn't care. After all, their marriage was just a transaction.

But tonight, he couldn't leave. He had already embarrassed her and the Johnson family by missing the wedding. If he left her alone on their wedding night to see another woman, the Johnson family would become the laughingstock of Emerald City.

"None of your business." James frowned, impatiently pushing her aside. "Move."

Emily stumbled but steadied herself, still stubbornly meeting his gaze. "If you leave tonight, the news of me being abandoned on my wedding night will be all over the headlines tomorrow."

"So what? What does that have to do with me?" James raised an eyebrow, his words cold and mocking, showing no concern for Emily's situation.

"So, you can't leave. You have to stay tonight."

Today's wedding had already caused Hayden and Sophia to lose face. If James abandoned her on their wedding night, how could the Johnson family hold their heads up in Emerald City in the future?

James looked down at her, her innocent face now trying to appear strong, reminding him of the other night.

His eyes darkened as he leaned in close to Emily's face, his voice husky, "What, you want me to stay so badly? Do you want me to sleep with you? Are you that desperate for a man?"

If it weren't for the tightness and the barrier he felt the first time he entered her, he would have doubted her chastity.

Hearing this, Emily nervously clutched the hem of her nightgown, her face flushing.

Just as she was about to speak, James straightened up, his tone returning to its usual coldness, "Emily, I married you, but all you get is the title of Mrs. Smith. Don't expect anything else."

If Aiden hadn't used Ava to negotiate with him, he would never have agreed to this marriage.

Taking a deep breath, Emily suppressed her frustration, trying to keep her voice calm, "James, neither of us wanted this marriage, but now that we're married, I hope we can at least respect each other."

James sneered, leaning in closer, his breath hot on her neck. "You didn't want this, yet you schemed to marry me?"

"James, get it straight. It was your Smith family that forced me into this. If you hadn't threatened the Johnson family, I wouldn't care about being Mrs. Smith!"

James narrowed his eyes, a flicker of anger in his dark gaze. He grabbed her chin roughly. "You better remember your place. If you don't want me to go after the Johnson family, you'd better behave!"

Emily's eyes flashed with a mix of grievance and anger, but faced with James's threat, she could only swallow her resentment.

James released her, not sparing her another glance, and turned to leave.

The door slammed shut with such force that the walls seemed to shake.

Emily sat up abruptly, grabbed her robe, and wrapped it around herself. Barefoot on the cold floor, her initial grievance was quickly replaced by a surge of defiant courage.

Why should she, Emily, be treated like this, even in a marriage of convenience?

Without bothering to put on shoes, she stormed out of the bedroom, through the empty living room, and headed straight for Aiden's study.

The light was still on in Aiden's study, a warm glow filtering through the ornate window.

Seeing her approach, the butler immediately blocked her way. "Mr. Smith is practicing calligraphy."

Filled with pent-up frustration, Emily pushed the butler aside and knocked forcefully on the study door.

"Dad! I need to talk to you!" Her voice was choked with emotion but resolute. "You need to give me an explanation for what happened today!"

Aiden's steady voice came from inside. "Come in."

Seeing her disheveled appearance, Aiden frowned, his tone impatient. "It's your wedding night. Why aren't you in your room? What are you doing here?"

The study was filled with a refined fragrance.

Standing in front of the desk, Emily spoke clearly, though her voice was low. "Dad, our families' marriage has drawn a lot of attention. But on our wedding night, James abandoned me. If this gets out, not only will I be humiliated, but the Smith family will also become a laughingstock."

Aiden's grip on his pen tightened, his brows furrowing. "Where did he go?"

Emily met Aiden's gaze. "He left after taking a call from a woman. I couldn't stop him. This marriage was your doing, but now James is treating me like this. You need to give me an explanation!"

"That bastard!" Aiden threw his pen down, ink splattering on the paper. "Go! Find James and bring him back! Even if you have to drag him here!"

"Yes, sir. Right away!"

The butler didn't dare hesitate and immediately went to find James.