2024-10-29 00:31:31James paused in the doorway, taking in the sight before him. Tom sat on the leather couch, laughing and talking with his in-laws, a glass of expensive wine in hand and a smug grin plastered on his face. James’s jaw tightened.
Helen glanced up, her eyes narrowing. “Look who finally decided to join us,” she sneered. “James, maybe take some notes from Tom here on how to be a real provider.”
George chuckled. “Maybe if you learned to be a man, we wouldn’t have to entertain better options for Pamela.”
James ignored them, his gaze fixed on Tom. “Interesting choice of company, Tom.”
Tom raised his glass, feigning surprise. “James! Always a pleasure.”
“Is it?” James replied, his tone ice-cold. His eyes flicked to the lavish gifts spread across the table: vintage wine, a designer handbag, and a diamond necklace.
Helen clapped her hands. “Oh, look at what Tom brought! Real gifts, not the cheap things you get for Pamela.”
Tom leaned toward Pamela, placing the necklace in her lap. “This would look stunning on you, Pamela. Only the best for the best.” He winked, his hand lingering just a bit too long on her shoulder.
Pamela shifted uncomfortably, glancing away. “Tom, I… I don’t think—”
“Oh, don’t be shy, darling,” Helen interrupted, patting her hand. “After all, Tom is a real catch. Wouldn’t hurt to give him a chance.”
James gritted his teeth, but his voice was steady. “You know, Tom, you’re quite generous for someone who can’t seem to own up to his mistakes.”
Tom’s smile faltered, but he recovered quickly, chuckling. “Mistakes? Sounds like someone’s desperate.”
Helen sneered. “James, stop embarrassing yourself. Tom’s obviously leagues above you.”
George nodded, sipping his wine. “If you cared about Pamela, you’d step aside and let her be with someone worthy of her.”
James ignored their taunts, keeping his gaze locked on Tom. “You know exactly what I’m talking about, Tom. The hit-and-run.”
Tom’s smirk faded. “Accusing me now? Pathetic.”
James pulled out his phone. “Pathetic? Let’s take a look.” He pressed play, and the screen displayed footage of a black Mercedes S600, speeding down the street and hitting his sister, then driving off.
Helen scoffed. “That could be anyone’s car, James. Honestly, you’re reaching.”
Tom forced a laugh, but his face had paled slightly. “See, even Helen understands. There are hundreds of black Mercedes S600s. You’re just trying to slander me.”
James raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Oh, I thought you might say that.” He swiped through the photos on his phone, enlarging a close-up still from the video, showing Tom’s face clearly through the windshield at the moment of impact.
Pamela gasped, eyes wide. “Tom… that’s you…”
Tom stammered, looking from James to the screen. “This is a setup! This is blackmail!”
George jumped to Tom’s defense, his tone furious. “Enough of your nonsense, James. This is just an attempt to cover your own failures!”
James kept his voice steady, addressing Pamela directly. “Pamela, I know things have been tense between us, but you need to know the truth. I won’t stand by and let the man who nearly killed Emily walk free.”
Pamela glanced between James and Tom, her expression conflicted. “James, I… I didn’t think you were capable of making up lies like this, but…” She stared at Tom. “Tom, what’s going on?”
Tom cleared his throat, managing a feeble smile. “Pamela, don’t tell me you believe him. He’s just grasping at straws. Besides, you know what people say about James—he’s been down on his luck for years. He’s just trying to blame someone for it.”
James took a step forward, his voice firm. “This isn’t about luck, Tom. It’s about justice for Emily. You left her there, in pain, and now you’re here, acting like a hero? You can’t talk your way out of this.”
Tom’s gaze flickered, his confidence cracking. He looked away, avoiding the eyes now fixed on him.
Pamela’s voice was quiet but laced with steel. “I never knew you were capable of something like this, Tom. Emily could have died.”
Helen sputtered, her confidence faltering. “Pamela, darling, don’t be dramatic. Tom made a mistake, but James is just blowing it out of proportion.”
Pamela straightened, her eyes filled with a newfound resolve. “No, Mother. James is standing up for Emily. And maybe… maybe I need to start standing up for him.”
A silence fell over the room, each person processing the weight of what had just unfolded.
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James’s voice was ice-cold, each word clipped with barely contained fury. “You think $3,000 will cover what you did to my sister, Tom?”Tom gave a smug shrug, slipping a wad of cash out of his wallet and tossing it onto the table. “It’s more than you’ve ever seen, James. Take it or leave it.”Helen laughed, picking up the cash. “Honestly, James, maybe spend this on something useful. Like… makeup for me.”The comment hung in the air, and James felt his anger boiling over. He looked around at their smug, indifferent faces, something inside him snapping. Without a word, he grabbed the expensive bottle of wine from the table, his grip firm.Before Tom could react, James swung, smashing the bottle against the side of Tom’s head. Glass shattered, and Tom slumped back, a stunned expression replacing his arrogant smirk.Helen gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “James! Have you lost your mind?”But James ignored her, his eyes blazing as he grabbed another bottle, letting the moment settle.
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James couldn’t help but smirk as he read through the high school reunion chat on his phone. The messages from Luke Hunter, flaunting his “success” and throwing jabs about James’s past poverty, were nothing short of juvenile. The insults piled up, old accusations resurfacing, and his former classmates joined in, laughing at his expense.Same old Luke, James thought, feeling a familiar anger simmer inside him. Memories of high school came flooding back—the day Luke had framed him for theft, the shame he endured, the way everyone had turned on him. But today, he wasn’t that powerless teenager anymore. He was ready to respond… in his own way.James opened his banking app, set up a string of transfers, each accompanied by a custom message, and began sending money into the group chat.A notification appeared in the chat:James Smith sent $50“Luke is a dumbass.”Within seconds, another:James Smith sent $100“Luke is a coward.”The chat exploded with curiosity and laughter as each new trans
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Luke’s voice echoed across the lobby of Maple Properties as he strode toward James, his expression smug with exaggerated authority. “James! Didn’t expect to see you here so soon. Or did you come to beg for a real job?”James looked up from his phone, his calm demeanor only fueling Luke’s ire. He chose silence, watching as Luke’s eyes narrowed, irate.“Silent, huh? Figures.” Luke turned to the security guards and barked, “Get this guy a mop and bucket. He’s perfect for the toilets.”The security captain, a wiry man with a barely concealed smirk, jumped in. “You heard the man, James. Time to clean up after the real employees.” He chuckled, elbowing his fellow guards, who joined in the mockery.Luke stepped closer, his voice low but full of venom. “You think you can embarrass me in front of everyone, and I’ll just let it slide? No chance. You’re going to remember your place, pauper.”James stood his ground, his calm gaze never leaving Luke. If only you knew, he thought, swallowing the ur
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James strode down the hallway of Maple Properties, his steps quick and resolute, the echo of Ray and the guards’ humiliation still lingering in his mind. Alexis walked beside him, her demeanor professional and respectful, an evident contrast to the earlier mockery he had faced.She gestured toward a set of polished mahogany doors. “Mr. Carter, here’s your office,” she said, opening the door to reveal a spacious, luxurious workspace with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline.James took in the opulent setting—a modern desk, state-of-the-art equipment, and plush leather seating arranged around a glass coffee table. He turned to Alexis, his expression calm but curious. “Quite the upgrade from the construction site, don’t you think?”She managed a smile, an acknowledgment of his past. “I’m genuinely sorry for how you were treated earlier. It was inexcusable.”James gave her a curt nod. “I appreciate your support, Alexis. And I’ll need it, especially as we investigate Ray’s
THE SON IN LAW WANTS HIS REVENGE Chapter 9
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As James stood by Emily’s bedside, Michael Grant’s words echoed in his mind. “Victor Hill and Maple Group have a significant stake in this hospital. In a way, Mr. Carter, you’re effectively one of its owners.” James was still absorbing the weight of this revelation. His inheritance had afforded him much more than financial security—it had granted him influence, real power to protect and defend those he cared about.He thanked Michael once more for his support and headed out of the hospital, feeling an immense sense of relief. Emily would receive the best care available, and those who had dared mistreat her now understood just how deeply connected he was.Outside, Richard offered him a ride. “Allow me, Mr. Carter. I insist.”James smiled, but he shook his head. “Thanks, Richard, but I need some time to think. I’ll make my own way there.”The crisp night air felt grounding as he walked away from the hospital, his mind still turning over the events of the day. Just then, his phone buzzed
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Chapter 103
The Last Loose EndDespite Gregory’s arrest, James couldn’t shake the feeling that something was unfinished. He sat in his office at Maple Group, fingers steepled as he studied the documents Victor had placed in front of him.“All of Gregory’s accounts have been frozen,” Victor reported. “The properties under his name are being seized. His investors have pulled out. On paper, he’s done.”James barely nodded. “And off paper?”Victor hesitated. “There’s one thing we haven’t accounted for—his offshore connections. Before his arrest, he made a large transfer to an unnamed entity. We don’t know where it went.”James’s jaw tightened. “Whoever received that money is still out there.”Victor sighed. “I’ve got people digging. But there’s something else you should see.”He pushed a file forward.James opened it. The first page was a printed email—one that had been sent from Gregory’s encrypted account just hours before his arrest.James’s eyes darkened as he read the message:“If you’re reading
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James’s grip on his phone tightened as he reread the threat. A slow, dangerous smirk curled at the corner of his lips, but Pamela knew better—it wasn’t amusement. It was fury.Gregory Shaw had just crossed a line he could never come back from.Pamela’s pulse quickened. “James, what do we do?”James exhaled slowly, his gaze like ice. “We make him regret ever sending this message.”He immediately called Victor.“We have a problem,” James said, his voice controlled but lethal. “Gregory just sent a threat. He’s desperate. That makes him reckless.”Victor cursed. “He wouldn’t dare—”“He would,” James cut in. “And I need every possible angle covered. Track his movements, monitor his calls. If he so much as breathes near Pamela or Emily, I want to know before he even makes a move.”Pamela straightened at the mention of her daughter. “James, do you think he’ll target Emily?”James met her gaze, his expression unreadable. “Gregory’s losing everything. He’ll go after what he thinks will hurt me
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The tension in the room was thick as James turned the flash drive over in his hands. The weight of the evidence it contained was undeniable. This wasn’t just a business war anymore—this was a complete takedown.Pamela watched him carefully. “What’s the plan?”James glanced at Mr. Carter, his expression unreadable. “We verify everything first. If Gregory has ties to bribery and offshore fraud, we’re not just exposing a businessman—we’re dragging government officials into this.”Mr. Carter nodded. “I understand. But I promise you, everything on that drive is real.”James stood, his movements precise. “Then we’ll find out soon enough.” He turned to Pamela. “I need Victor on this. If there’s a single hole in this information, Gregory will exploit it.”Pamela nodded, already pulling out her phone. “I’ll have him start analyzing it immediately.”James looked back at Carter. “You know Gregory. The moment he suspects a threat, he eliminates it. Are you ready for what happens when this goes pu
Chapter 99
Pamela’s pulse quickened as Gregory Shaw continued his speech, his tone dripping with confidence.“In times of uncertainty, leadership must be willing to adapt,” Gregory said smoothly. “That’s why I am extending an offer of strategic partnership to Maple Group—one that will ensure long-term stability and prosperity.”Pamela scoffed. “He’s making it sound like you need him.”James didn’t react, his gaze locked on the screen.Gregory’s smirk deepened. “It’s no secret that Maple Group has faced significant challenges in recent months. Market volatility, increased competition… But with the right allies, these obstacles become opportunities.” He paused, letting his words sink in before delivering his final blow. “That is why I am confident that James Walker will make the right choice for his company, his employees, and his future.”The press erupted into a flurry of questions, but Gregory simply nodded, his message clear: The ball was now in James’s court.Pamela clenched her fists. “He’s
Chapter 98
The following morning, Pamela arrived at Maple Group’s headquarters earlier than expected. She had spent most of the night thinking about everything she had learned the day before, her mind spinning with strategies, risks, and possibilities.Now, as she stepped into the sleek lobby, she felt different—more determined, more confident.“Mrs. Walker,” the receptionist greeted her with a polite smile. “Mr. Walker mentioned you’d be coming in today.”Pamela nodded. “Is he in his office?”“Yes, but he’s in a meeting right now.”Pamela thanked her and headed to James’s office anyway, figuring she’d wait. But as she reached the door, she heard voices inside—one of them sharp, unfamiliar.“I don’t care what it takes, Walker. Our deal stands, or you’ll regret it.”Pamela froze. The tone was threatening, laced with arrogance.James’s response was calm, but firm. “You overestimate your leverage. If you think threats will change my stance, you’re mistaken.”A pause. Then the other man scoffed. “We
Chapter 97
Pamela sat in James’s office, flipping through the reports with intense focus. Numbers, market trends, financial statements—it was a lot to take in, but she wasn’t about to back down. She had asked for this, and she intended to prove she could handle it.The door opened, and Victor strolled in without knocking. “Still here? Thought you’d run off after one meeting.”Pamela smirked without looking up. “Disappointed?”Victor chuckled, taking a seat across from her. “Actually, I’m impressed. James doesn’t let just anyone touch these reports.” He glanced at James, who was reviewing his own documents. “Guess that means you’re really serious about learning the ropes.”“I am.” Pamela tapped her pen against the page. “And since you’re here, maybe you can help me with something.”Victor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? What’s got you stumped?”She pointed to a section on international expansion. “I get the overall strategy, but what’s the real risk here? The numbers look good, but something feels off.”
Chapter 96
The next morning, Pamela stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the crisp blazer James had left for her. It wasn’t overly formal, but it was a step above her usual attire—something that fit the role she was stepping into today.Her reflection stared back at her, filled with both anticipation and nerves. Today, she would walk into Maple Group not as James’s wife, but as someone determined to understand his world.A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. “Pamela?” James’s deep voice carried through the room.She turned, her lips curving into a small smile. “I’m ready.”James leaned against the doorframe, his gaze sweeping over her. “You look the part.”“Let’s see if I can act the part.”His smirk was both amused and approving. “You’ll do fine. Just pay attention and don’t let Victor intimidate you.”Pamela chuckled. “I think I can handle Victor.”James extended a hand, and she took it without hesitation. “Then let’s get to work.”—Stepping into Maple Group’s headquarters
Chapter 95
Pamela stood by the window, staring at the city skyline bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The once-familiar view felt different now. Perhaps it was because she was different. She had spent so long doubting, hesitating, and letting others’ voices drown out her own. But tonight, she had made her choice—one she should have made long ago.James entered the room, his presence commanding yet calm. He had just finished a meeting, the remnants of a long day evident in the faint exhaustion around his eyes. But when he saw her, something softened in his expression.Pamela turned to face him, her fingers tightening around the fabric of her dress. “James…” she began, her voice quieter than she intended.He tilted his head slightly, waiting.She took a deep breath, gathering the courage that had eluded her for so long. “I never told you how much I admire you. I should have—” Her voice faltered, but she pushed forward. “I should have stood by you more. Instead, I let my doubts get in the way. I
