Chapter 70 Becoming a Maid

Emily stopped in her tracks, hearing James's deep voice, "You need to apologize to Olivia for what happened abroad."

She turned back, her face blank. "James, why are you doing this to me? I've told you before, I'm not apologizing for something I didn't do!"

"James," Olivia whined, her voice dripping with fake pity, "I knew that Emily doesn't feel the slightest bit sorry for me."

"Emily, apologize!" James repeated, his tone icy.

Emily had been wronged by Olivia so many times, and her anger was at its peak. She stood there, fighting back tears.

'Olivia's acting is so bad, only someone as clueless as James would fall for it. There's a saying in the book about not letting habitual liars get away with their lies.' With that thought, Emily stepped forward, eyes red, and slapped Olivia hard.

"You always say I bully you, so if I don't actually bully you a bit, it seems like I'm in the wrong. Olivia, I apologize for this slap. I'm sorry," Emily said.

The slap left Olivia and James in shock.

Olivia never thought Emily would actually hit her in front of James. She covered her cheek, mouth open, too stunned to speak, even forgetting to cry. She wanted to hit back but thought better of it and looked pitifully at James, biting her lip. "James."

James looked at Emily, realizing she was different from the timid and weak girl he used to know.

After all, last time James had forced a kiss on her, she dared to hit him.

Even though Olivia was the one who got slapped, James found himself oddly impressed with Emily.

Emily's current demeanor was a far cry from the girl who used to just cry and couldn't speak up.

James lowered his eyes, trying to suppress his chaotic thoughts.

If Emily did something wrong, she had to face the consequences.

No matter how much he couldn't bear it because of Michael, James had promised Olivia she could deal with Emily.

Emily turned to leave, but James immediately stood up, his tall figure blocking her way. He grabbed her arm and sneered, lifting her chin, "Emily, you actually hit Olivia. You can leave today, but once you walk out of the Smith Villa's gate, you'll never see Michael again."

Emily's struggle stopped instantly. She looked up at James with red eyes, incredulous. "James, you're actually using Michael to threaten me."

Emily's body trembled, unable to stand, feeling like her heart was bleeding. This was the man she had loved for so many years, now using Michael to threaten her!

"Emily, people have to take responsibility for their mistakes." The questioning and broken look in Emily's eyes made James turn his face away, looking at Olivia with some irritation. "Olivia, what do you want?"

A trace of ruthlessness flashed in Olivia's eyes.

Olivia knew James still had feelings for Emily, and that slap had stung more than just her cheek.

She couldn't let Emily off easy; she needed James to completely give up on her.

Covering her face, Olivia thought for a moment and then said tearfully, "James, I know she's Michael's mother, and I don't want to hurt you or Michael, so I won't make things difficult for her. How about she works as a servant here for two weeks? Maybe if we spend more time together, her misunderstandings about me will lessen."

Then, turning to Emily, Olivia cried, "Emily, I know you think I took James and Michael from you, and you're angry at me. But I really didn't mean to. I just love James too much. We grew up together. We love each other. I just want to reclaim my feelings. I didn't do anything wrong. Please don't target me anymore."

Olivia's words were dripping with fake sincerity and tears, making her look like the true victim.

James returned to the couch, comforted Olivia softly, and then said coldly to Emily, "Emily, if you still want to see Michael in the future, do as Olivia says."

Emily stood at the door, the sunlight blinding her eyes. Watching this scene, she felt exhausted and didn't want to fight anymore.

Michael was Emily's son, the most important person in her life. For Michael, Emily could give up everything, even her dignity. Being a servant for a few days was nothing.

"James," she laughed weakly, "I didn't do what Olivia said, but for Michael, I agree. But you just said people have to take responsibility for their actions. I hope you practice what you preach in the future."

James looked at Emily, feeling a lump in his throat. But thinking of the evidence Olivia had shown, he remained silent.

The next day, Emily packed her things and went to the Smith Villa.

"Ms. Johnson, please follow me," a maid approached, her tone disdainful.

Emily followed the maid through a long corridor to a guest room.

The room was sparsely furnished, but at least it was livable.

It must take Olivia some efforts to find such a place for Emily in the Smith Villa.

Emily arranged her study materials, sat on the bed, feeling uneasy, looked around, and took a deep breath, feeling a sense of oppression.

The real test was probably yet to come.

On the first day, Emily just followed the maid to get a simple understanding of the Smith Villa's current situation and how to clean daily.

Although the maid's attitude was disdainful, with the butler around, she didn't make things too difficult for Emily.

"Ms. Johnson, sorry for the trouble," the butler sighed at Emily at the end of the day.

When Olivia left for work, she looked at Emily with malice in her eyes. "Emily, you can stay here for now. I'll take good care of you."

Emily had no idea what Olivia truly intended to do, but she knew it would never be as simple as being a servant for a few days.