chapter two

Many of them looked at the man on the floor and back at the man standing in front of James.

" I think you have the wrong person." James stammered and walked away from the scene. For a second, the atmosphere was tensed. Everyone know the Bennett family were the richest family in the city of New York. They were not only rich but they were having a vast lands with wealth and influence, they had carved out a storied legacy in New York City. Known for their vast real estate holdings spanning from Manhattan's skyscrapers to expansive estates in the Hamptons, the Bennetts were a name whispered with awe and envy in high society circles.

Founded by Richard Bennett, a shrewd entrepreneur who had amassed a fortune through strategic investments in the early 20th century, the family's wealth had grown exponentially through successive generations. Richard Bennett Jr., the current patriarch, was renowned not only for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic endeavors, funding numerous charitable foundations and art institutions across the c ity.

The Bennett estate, a sprawling mansion nestled in the Upper East Side, stood as a testament to their wealth and stature. Adorned with marble pillars and lush gardens, it exuded an air of opulence and refinement that few could match.

James himself, estranged from his family for years due to a falling out over business disputes and personal differences, had chosen to forge his own path, far removed from the shadow of his family name. However, fate seemed intent on reminding him of his roots at the most unexpected moments.

The party came to an end and James was very of his duties. He walked into the room and laid on the bed waiting for Emma to come in. He looked at the ticking clock each time and saw it was getting late. He was about switching off the lamp when he heard the creak of the door. He looked and saw Emma walking in. She was alittle tipsy and wasn't herself.

" Is that what you really think of me?" James loo ked from where he was seated on the bed.

" What do you want me to think of you,James Smith. You are nothing but a useless bum I found on the street." Emma said pointing her fingers to James and belched.

It was obvious that she was drunk. She tried to move to the chair in from of her and fell. Emma had been the talk of the town. She was a bitch. She had been embarrassed by many woman who she had stole thier husbands. " Ain't you ashamed? Look are you, you are a mess." James replied

" A mess? Says a man who can not have his family taken care off and cannot give his wife the best deserving life a mess." Emma said and held her stomach. She was about to throw up

James looked at her and wonder what changed. He and Emma had loved themselves over time before they were married but then think weren't the same after he married her

To show how much he had loved Emma, James had to take on her family name. " Who is that man at the party?" James asked with curiousity

"Ah, Mark Nelson. Well, I believe you are not that daft to know that he is your replacement. Mark will be replacing you soon enough." Emma walked to the bed beside James. " What do you mean replacing me? Don't tell me you are going to divorce me and have me thrown out?" James looked at her but then the sound of Emma snoring made him stopped talking. It was obvious he had made a mistake by getting married to her

The ray of the sun penetrating the curtain woke James up. He looked beside him and saw Emma was not in bed. James walked into the bathroom to have his shower and tidy up a bit. He wasn't going to be kate for work.

Dressing up, James looked into the mirror and saw he had a scratch on him. The broken glasses on the floor had managed to graze his body. As he walked down the stairs, James saw the Smith's family at the dinning table. " Good morning." He said gently as he took his seat at the far end of the table.

The Smith still haven't considered James family after living with them and getting married to Thier family for over twenty years. The room was awfully quiet as they all ate thier meal in silence.

James looked at Emma each time and noticed something was eating her up. She had mention replacing him last night and James knew she meant everything she said. Emma was a person who would always speak her mind even if she was drunk

" Ehmm," Margaret said slowly raising her eye brow to meet that of Robert her husband. " What is it?" Robert dropped his toasted bread and drank alittle coffee from his saucer. " spill woman." He said finally resting on the chair he sat on.

The dinning room was awfully quite as they all looked at each other. " Emma has something to say to the family." Margaret said looking at Robert and then back at James who was in a frenzy mode. Robert looked at Emma who had her head bowed to the table in front of her.

" Is that true, Emma?" Richard asked

Emma looked at her father and then back at James. " Yes father. I think I am sure about this."

James heart skipped a bit. His mind racing and his veins quite visible. His gaze locked on Emma as he read her lips as she spoke. " Let's break up." The word finaally left her lips