Chapter 4

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. He leaned close, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. “You think you can buy your way out of this? Offer me scraps to ignore what you did to Emily?”

Tom stammered, his face paling. “J-James… calm down.”

James didn’t hesitate. He picked up the diamond necklace Tom had gifted Pamela and shoved it toward Tom. “You like to give things, don’t you? Here’s a gift from me. Swallow it.”

Tom’s face twisted in fear, but James’s grip was unyielding. “Open your mouth, Tom, or I’ll do it for you.”

“James, this is insane!” Helen cried, but she was no longer sure of herself, her eyes wide with fear.

Ignoring her, James pushed the necklace into Tom’s mouth, forcing him to choke and cough as he tried to pull away. The humiliating scene left everyone frozen, even George, who looked pale and taken aback by James’s intensity.

Finally, James released Tom, who spat the necklace out, sputtering, his face red with humiliation. James took a step back, his voice steady but steely. “That’s what your pathetic show of wealth is worth to me.”

Pamela stared, torn between shock and something else—a flicker of admiration at seeing James finally standing up for himself.

Helen’s face twisted into a furious scowl, her tone icy as she sneered, “I knew it was a mistake letting you into this family. Pamela deserves better than some violent, money-hungry thug.”

James turned to Pamela, ignoring Helen’s ranting. “Pamela, here.” He pulled out the diamond necklace he’d bought for her and placed it gently into her hands. “This isn’t out of obligation. It’s real, just like my feelings.”

Pamela stared at the necklace, her lips parted in quiet surprise. For a moment, she looked up at him, her expression softening.

But before she could speak, Helen snatched the necklace, examining it dismissively. “What is this cheap piece of glass?” She threw it to the ground, scoffing. “You call this a gift?”

James looked at her, unflinching. “You wouldn’t know a genuine gesture if it hit you in the face.”

Helen’s eyes narrowed, her voice dripping with contempt. “You’re nothing, James. And if you have any sense, you’ll disappear. We’d be better off without you.”

James took a long, steady breath, glancing once more at Pamela, who seemed caught in an internal struggle. “I’ll be going, then,” he said quietly. “But this isn’t over.”

Outside, James’s heart pounded with a mixture of rage and satisfaction. He’d made his point—maybe even crossed a line—but he didn’t regret it. The memory of Tom’s arrogant smirk and Helen’s contempt fueled his resolve.

As he walked away from the Shaw house, his mind shifted to Emily, and a calm determination settled over him. He knew Tom would retaliate, maybe even Helen would find ways to make his life difficult. But with the inheritance and newfound purpose his father had left him, he was prepared for whatever came next.

Tonight, he’d protect his sister, defend his family, and—finally—show the world who he truly was.