Chapter 171: Upsetting

Words : 1683 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Chapter 171: Chapter 171: UpsettingJames Brown and Emily Lopez entered the neighborhood together. The security guards were completely used to seeing James and Emily together, although sometimes it was Gina, but they couldn’t tell the twin sisters apart and thought they were the same person. As for Robert Brown, they were quite envious; everyone knew Gina was a typical beauty with both wealth and looks in this neighborhood, and marrying her would truly be hitting both jackpots. Seeing Emily holding James’ arm didn’t lead them to think she was scared from watching a horror movie, but rather that they were arm in arm, hinting at a close relationship. Soon after they walked in, they heard the rapid sound of high heels clacking against the ground—a sound both James and Emily were very familiar with as it was Gina’s way of walking. They both stopped, turned around, and saw Gina hurrying over. She arrived in front of them with an ugly expression, biting her teeth, and asked, "What’s going on with you two?" Only then did Emily realize that she was holding James’ arm as if entwined, and immediately, like being stung by a wasp, withdrew her hand rapidly, giving Gina a grin and said, "Sis, it’s not what you think." James suddenly felt a headache coming on; that phrase sounded too familiar. Moreover, Emily’s reaction practically screamed cover-up, which was sure to make Gina even more suspicious. Sure enough, Gina looked even uglier now, seething as she said, "James Brown, good for you." James, however, didn’t mind. He simply smiled lightly, "Emily and I just watched a horror movie, and she was scared, that’s why she was holding onto me." "Watching a horror movie?" Gina sneered, "That’s a fine excuse you’ve got there. It’s broad daylight. Do you think after watching a horror movie, people just hold on to each other like that?" Emily then snapped back to her senses and glared, "Have you ever watched a horror movie?" "Even if I haven’t, I can imagine. Even if you’re scared, you wouldn’t just grab a man’s arm in the daytime, would you?" Emily blinked and said, "Old sis, are you... jealous?" Gina’s face darkened, "Why would I be jealous? I just don’t want you two together." Emily giggled, "If you’re not jealous, why the big fuss? Besides, if you’re not, it means you don’t like my brother-in-law, right? Since you don’t like him, why can’t I be with him?" Gina’s eyes widened, filled with horror, her face instantly turning pale, and stammered, "You two... are together?" "No..." Just as James tried to explain, Emily swiftly wrapped her arm around his, lifting her head proudly, "My brother-in-law is such a catch; if you don’t like him, then I’ll just have to keep him for myself, right?" James was taken aback by Emily’s sudden charade, which was so unexpected and perplexing. They were together just for fun, never seriously talked about feelings. This truly shocked him. "No!" Gina shouted without hesitation, her gaze murderous, her voice piercing, attracting the attention of everyone nearby. Emily completely ignored her sister’s rage, rested her head on James’ shoulder, and said with a smile, "Why not?" "I said no means no!" Gina roared again, but suddenly realized they were still in the neighborhood with many people around. She took a deep breath, "Let’s go home and talk." James hurriedly said, "Emily is just joking, I’m leaving now." "Don’t you dare leave!" Both sisters shouted at the same time, then Gina stretched out both hands and grabbed James’ other arm, dragging him forward with a stern face. "Hey, hey, this really isn’t my affair, Emily, what are you playing at?" James lamented, feeling wronged as he was dragged along by the sisters, muttering under his breath. Gina and Emily remained silent, just pulling him along into the building, through the elevator, and didn’t let go until they entered the house. Emily immediately went to the fridge, grabbed a bowl of cherries, and started eating on the couch, completely ignoring Gina’s murderous gaze. seaʀᴄh thё NôvelFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. James, still unsure of Emily’s play, shook his head and said, "Emily, can we stop messing around?" Emily spat out a cherry pit, her smile beaming, "I am not messing around. If my sister doesn’t want you, I’ve decided I’ll pursue you." Gina Lopez’s heart suddenly relaxed when she heard this. She truly thought Grace Lopez had already gotten together with James Brown. Knowing her sister’s bold nature, it was not impossible for such a thing to have happened. James Brown hastily said to Gina Lopez, "You heard it, right? This has nothing to do with me. Whatever you sisters want to argue about, I’m staying out of this. I’m leaving now." After that, he tried to sneak away. "You stop right there!" Gina Lopez immediately shouted loudly. However, James Brown didn’t stop his steps. Now that he no longer had to pretend to be Gina Lopez’s boyfriend, he naturally wanted no part in their conflict. Gina Lopez was not used to being ignored by James Brown. In the previous company, whatever she said was always followed by James. Recently, he had been very obedient to her. Now, her furious shouting was also ignored, and for Gina Lopez, this was an enormous emotional letdown. Seeing James Brown about to open the door, Gina Lopez quickly pulled on his arm and angrily said, "I told you, you can’t leave. Didn’t you hear me?" James Brown turned around with a smile and said, "Boss Lopez, this isn’t the office, is it? It also isn’t work hours, right?" Gina Lopez was suddenly at a loss for words. Grace Lopez immediately added fuel to the fire, "Exactly, look at you, always talking to my brother-in-law with your boss attitude. There’s no way he could like you. Brother-in-law, I support you not giving her any face." Gina Lopez was a smart woman, but Grace’s words stunned her, causing her to lose her rationality. She quickly calmed down, however, she still couldn’t manage to speak to James Brown tenderly, only managing to sternly say, "James Brown, I apologize for my attitude, but about this matter, I need you to explain it to me clearly. As an elder sister, I believe it’s my duty and responsibility." "It was just for fun, you should be able to tell," James responded. "She helped me with recruiting today, and I just took her out for a meal and watched a movie, then I dropped her off. Whether or not you believe it is up to you." After all, he had pretender to be Gina Lopez’s boyfriend for so long and they still worked in the same company; James reluctantly explained a bit. "I know, but... can’t we just have a proper talk?" Gina Lopez’s tone finally softened. With reluctance, James shrugged and said, "Alright then." He went and sat down on the couch while Grace Lopez immediately came over, smiling at James, "Brother-in-law, you don’t need to be afraid of her. I’ll back you up from now on. The two of us can definitely take her." Gina Lopez frowned and also sat down on the couch but chose the Queen’s Couch at the side. This seating arrangement made James Brown and Grace Lopez seem even closer. "Grace, this isn’t a joke. Tell me the truth, do you actually want to be with James Brown?" Gina Lopez stared at Grace Lopez, her expression very serious. Grace Lopez turned her head to glance at James Brown and said with a smile, "Older sister, this is my personal freedom. Who I love, even if our parents tried to control me, I wouldn’t listen. And you being my sister, I definitely won’t heed your words." Seeing Gina Lopez’s displeased expression, Grace Lopez quickly changed her tone, "But, since brother-in-law did pretend to be your boyfriend for a while, I’ll give you a chance. If you two are together, I won’t compete with you. But if you don’t want to be with him, then I won’t be polite." James Brown quickly said, "Gracie, stop it. I already have a girlfriend." Gina Lopez also quickly said, "I know about that too. So Gracie, you should stop thinking about it." But Grace Lopez disdainfully curled her lip and retorted, "So what? They aren’t married yet. If they’re not married, I still have a chance. I believe that brother-in-law will choose me eventually." Listening to Grace Lopez calling him ’brother-in-law’ and then talking about being his girlfriend gave James Brown a strong sense of guilt and, inexplicably, a thrill. Gina Lopez slapped the armrest of the couch and angrily said, "Isn’t this destroying other people’s relationships? This is interference from a third party." Grace Lopez boldly said, "I have the right to fight for my love. Also, let me emphasize again, brother-in-law isn’t married yet. The crimes you’re accusing me of are totally inappropriate." Gina Lopez, infuriated, her face turning pale, said, "Have you no shame?" "Is this being shameless? I say, older sister, you really have thin skin. If you go by what you’re saying, does it mean if I say our parents are mine, you can’t call them mom and dad? If I say the Earth is mine, does that mean others can’t live here?" "How can that be the same?" "What’s the difference then? In love, do you claim ownership? What kind of twisted logic is that? Besides, my brother-in-law has the right to choose. Although he’s with that girl now, can he be sure they are truly compatible? If I like him, I’ll go for it, even if I fail, I’d have no regrets because it proves I loved. It’s like you with the company, if you want to collaborate but find they are considering another company, wouldn’t you still try to secure that business?" Grace Lopez’s sharp words pinpointed the issue exactly, and Gina Lopez, as a company director, certainly couldn’t just give up because there was only a probability of collaboration.

Chapter 171: Upsetting

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