Chapter 13 Please Begin Your Performance

Emily could handle being questioned by a bunch of people, but what really got under her skin was the delay in the medical team helping patients because of all the doubts.

She was itching to jump in and shut up those accusing her, just so the medics could get Joseph out of there. Right then, a slightly urgent but commanding voice cut through the chaos.

The noisy banquet hall went dead silent. Everyone turned to see a tall, handsome young guy in a suit striding in from the entrance.

It was none other than Joseph's son, Finn Miller.

Finn walked straight up to Emily and held out his hands. "Thank you, you saved my dad's life. If it weren't for you, I might never have seen him again."

"You're welcome, Finn Miller. Just doing what I had to," Emily said, shaking his hand.

That's when she noticed her knuckles were red and sore from performing precordial thumps on Joseph. Extending her hand hurt a bit.

Finn saw this and felt even more grateful. Instead of shaking her hand, he gently held it to avoid hurting her more.

After a quick handshake, Finn turned to the guy who had been insisting Joseph didn't have a heart condition. "Matthew Moore, my dad does have a heart condition. It was just diagnosed recently, and we kept it quiet to avoid worrying everyone."

Matthew stiffened, realizing he had misjudged Emily. But he couldn't bring himself to apologize. He just nodded to Finn and walked away.

Joseph's friends left, and with Finn and the medical staff backing Emily up, the others had no choice but to shut up, even if they didn't want to believe it.

Those who had been nice to Emily looked at her in awe, her dress torn but still looking extraordinary, way better than James's fiancée, Sophia.

Sophia watched all this, clenching her fists so hard her freshly done nails almost broke.

Emily had done it.

She actually saved Joseph.

How could she be so lucky?

What about James?

Sophia glanced worriedly at James beside her, gripping his arm even tighter.

Would James fall for Emily again because of this?

Would he leave her and go back to Emily?

James wasn't thinking about that right now.

But as he watched Emily smiling and talking to Finn, escorting Joseph out of the banquet hall, he suddenly remembered what Emily was like before the earthquake.

Back then, Emily was just like she was now—confident, dazzling, and effortlessly successful in everything she did.

When she was in medical school, many seniors sought her advice. Her family would discuss clinical problems with her. Even as a student, she had published several papers as the first author in prestigious international medical journals.

Emily was clearly meant to be an excellent doctor, far surpassing Sophia.

But when did he forget this? When did he only remember Sophia's excellence and forget what Emily was truly like?

It seemed to start when Emily married him, when she devoted herself to taking care of him and accommodating him in everything.

Was it he who turned Emily into this?

Freed from his presence, Emily had returned to her radiant self.

A mix of emotions hit James like a freight train, making it hard for him to breathe.

With Joseph whisked away by the ambulance, things finally calmed down, and Emily let out a sigh of relief.

She glanced down at her swollen knuckles, thinking she should head to the hotel's medical room for some disinfectant.

But as soon as she moved, a wave of dizziness hit her, and she could barely stand.

Emily usually had a strong constitution; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to handle being a doctor and those long surgeries.

But the recent emotional rollercoaster from her divorce with James, combined with too much drinking and not enough rest, had taken its toll.

Seeing Emily like that, James instinctively wanted to go over and help her.

"James." At that moment, Sophia, who had been clinging to him, leaned in closer.

Sophia looked up at James with a pained expression. "James, I suddenly have a stomachache."

James knew he should take care of Sophia, but he couldn't help glancing at Emily, who was leaning against Finn.

James's gaze turned icy, and any goodwill he had felt for Emily vanished.

Sure, she saved Joseph, but so what?

In the end, she was just trying to seduce Joseph's son.

This shameless woman was always trying to seduce men.

How could she compare to Sophia?

She wasn't even fit to carry Sophia's shoes!

"Sophia, I'll take you to the hospital." James tore his gaze away, picked Sophia up, and left the banquet hall.

"What's wrong? Let me take you to the hospital for a check-up." Finn supported Emily's waist, looking worried.

"I'm fine." Emily shook her head, smiled at Finn, and glanced in James's direction, just in time to see him carrying Sophia away.

Cradled in James's arms, Sophia sensed Emily's gaze and looked up with a provocative smirk. 'Emily, James still likes me. You'll never win him back.'

Emily's face turned even paler.

She wasn't mad at Sophia but at James, who hadn't looked at her once, paying her less attention than her rival Sophia had, and making her feel insignificant.

This realization cut Emily deep.

"Are you sure you're okay? You look really pale. I think you should go to the hospital," Finn suggested, still worried.

"I'm really fine," Emily said, pulling herself together and looking at Finn. "I'm a doctor. I know my condition. Don't worry. You should go check on your father. Joseph needs you, and the medical staff might need you too."

Finn was still concerned about Emily, but he didn't know her well and was genuinely worried about Joseph, so he left.

The banquet had lost its charm, and many people were ready to leave.

But Emily wasn't about to let the night end like this. She looked at Daniel, who had bet with her earlier, and smiled. "Mr. Wilson, I saved Mr. Joseph Miller. Shouldn't you fulfill your promise and perform a striptease for everyone?"

Many who were about to leave stopped in their tracks.

Daniel, who had planned to slip away with the crowd, had to stop as everyone turned to look at him.

Emily instructed a waiter to bring a chair. She crossed her arms and sat comfortably, nodding at Daniel with a satisfied smile. "Mr. Wilson, please begin your performance."