Seeing that Emily won't budge an inch, Bonnie decides to take a step back. "Emily, Mom just really wants to attend your engagement. We can talk about the bride price later."
Emily's stance is ironclad. "I'm sorry, the invitations have already been sent out!"
Gina has reached her breaking point. "A mother needing an invitation to her own daughter's engagement? I've never heard of such a thing! Let me tell you, I don't approve of this marriage, and you can forget about having an engagement party."
Bonnie hurriedly tries to pacify her. "Emily, why are you making Mom so angry? Whatever issues we have as a family, we can move past them. Let the past go. If Mom really doesn't approve and goes to cause a scene at the venue—"
Bonnie shoots Gina a look while speaking, giving a half-smile. "How are you going to have an engagement party then? The James family invited all the big shots in J City. If there's a scene, everyone loses face!"
Gina immediately adds, "Emily Sullivan, don't be so stubborn. Don't push me to the point where I have to tear everything down."
Emily looks at the two of them, almost as if she were waiting to see exactly how low they would stoop. She nods with a bitter scoff, a trace of sorrow in her expression. "Like I said, if I'm standing in the sun, you'll do everything in your power to drag me into the dark."
It's best if everyone stays in the dark together. No one is allowed to escape!
Emily stands up and looks down at them. "If Mom dares to ruin my engagement party, I'll have Elliott fired immediately. I'll make sure he can't even find a job in J City!"
She turns her gaze to Bonnie. "Your brother is taking the civil service exam? Then you two better stay quiet. Otherwise, he can forget about ever passing it."
"Don't test me. With one word from Charlie James, everything I just said will happen. You know that!"

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