Chapter 382 Emberlyn's Father Appears
Walter felt like he was getting humiliated and carrying a huge load, all while trying to chase his dream. Even if James was a stone-cold dude, he'd have to be moved by what he was doing.
He begged, "James, I really wanna be a martial artist. Please teach me, I'll be super grateful. I'll be your student, no questions asked."
He shouted and looked up, but there was no one there.
He was stunned for a sec and looked around frantically, but James was nowhere to be found. Even Emberlyn was gone, leaving him totally confused.
"James? Where'd James go?" He stood up, scanning the area, and someone told him, "Walter, they just left."
"They left?" Walter stood there, totally lost. He had poured his heart out, more than he ever had, thinking he could definitely get through to James. But James just bounced. It felt like throwing a punch and hitting nothing but air.
He stood there for a good ten seconds to process it, gritting his teeth and saying, "James, I ain't giving up that easy. No way. I'm gonna make you teach me! I gotta become a martial artist."
His heart was set, eyes locked on the James in his mind.
Thinking about James's moves in the ring, he was both shocked and pumped. Such a badass martial artist, if he agreed to teach him, with all his effort, he'd definitely make it. And once he made it, his status in the family would skyrocket.
Meanwhile, James and Emberlyn were already downstairs.
"Emberlyn, you've been glued to me all day. Can you give it a rest?" James said, exasperated. Emberlyn was relentless, sticking to him like glue.
Emberlyn grinned, "Nope, not ever."
Then she remembered something and asked, worried, "James, you took a hit from that Skylantis dude. You must be hurt, right? Let's get to the hotel, and I'll give you a massage."
As she spoke, her hand reached for James's chest, trying to flirt.
James slapped her hand away and said, annoyed, "Cut it out, I'm fine."
"You're lying," Emberlyn shot back, "That punch was brutal. I was so worried. You must be hurt."
"I'm really fine," James insisted. "I'm tough. His punch was nothing."
Emberlyn wanted to argue more when they reached the door and saw Theodore waiting. Seeing them, he greeted them respectfully and said to Emberlyn, "Emberlyn, Mr. Jackson came to pick you up himself."
Emberlyn immediately frowned and said, annoyed, "Why's he here? I'm not going back."
Theodore said, "Emberlyn, Mr. Jackson said if you come back, he won't force you to marry Walter anymore."
"Really?" Emberlyn looked surprised.
"Yeah, Mr. Jackson said so," Theodore confirmed.
James said, "Emberlyn, you should go back. Don't make your family worry."
Theodore quickly added, "He's right, Emberlyn. Your family has been really worried about you, thinking you might be in danger."
Emberlyn said dismissively, "What's dangerous about me? I have James to protect me. Who can hurt me?"
"But you ain't with James all the time," Theodore said, sounding kinda defeated.
Emberlyn felt a pang of sadness. She'd been in Lindwood City for ages, and she'd barely seen James.
She shot James a resentful look, "James, didn't you promise to protect me forever?"
James rolled his eyes, "When did I ever say that?"
Seeing Emberlyn looking all pitiful, James sighed, "Alright, cut the drama. Just go back. I don't have time to hang around here."
Emberlyn clung to James's arm, refusing to let go. Just then, Theodore's phone rang. After a quick chat, he handed the phone to Emberlyn, "Emberlyn, it's Mr. Jackson."
After a two-minute call, Emberlyn hung up, looking all reluctant, "Fine, I'll go back with you."
Theodore's face lit up with relief.
Emberlyn reluctantly let go of James and said, "James, I'll come back to find you. You better not be flirting with other girls while I'm gone."
"Just go back." James flicked her forehead and scolded, annoyed.
After Emberlyn got in the car, Theodore turned to James and said respectfully, "James, Mr. Jackson would like to invite you to dinner. Do you have time tonight?"
James thought for a moment and shook his head, "No need for dinner. Tell Mr. Jackson I don't have that kind of relationship with Emberlyn. I just see her as a sister, so he doesn't need to worry."
Theodore wanted to say more, but James had already walked off. He could only shake his head and get in the car.
Half an hour later, Theodore was in a villa, meeting a middle-aged man with a refined demeanor who was sitting on the sofa reading a book. He walked up to the man and said humbly, "Mr. Jackson, Emberlyn's back."
The middle-aged man put down the book, nodded, and smiled, "Theodore, thanks."
"Just doing my job," Theodore quickly said. Then he hesitated for a second and added, "But, James turned down tonight's dinner."
Jovan Jackson frowned slightly, a bit surprised, "Didn't you tell him I invited him?"
"I did. But James still refused. I'm sorry for my failure." Theodore lowered his head.
"How did he refuse?" Jovan asked after a few seconds of silence.
Theodore repeated what James had said and then added, "Mr. Jackson, I think James really doesn't have that kind of interest in Emberlyn."
Jovan put down the book, stood up, and said with a bitter smile, "I'm just afraid he doesn't. They've known each other since they were kids, and Emberlyn is crazy about James. But James always keeps his distance from me. It's not my place to interfere. With James's status, I couldn't control him even if I wanted to."
With the Smith Family backing James, Jovan felt a strong sense of powerlessness.
Theodore asked, confused, "Mr. Jackson, is the Smith Family really that powerful?"
Jovan said seriously, "Absolutely. Far beyond what the Jackson Family can compare to. But what puzzles me is, how could James, the most outstanding talent of the Smith Family in a hundred years, marry into the Johnson Family? It's unbelievable."
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