2024-10-29 00:32:28James 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 transaction hit, each one laced with another jab at Luke.
“What’s going on?” one former classmate typed, confused but intrigued.
“Free money? I’ll take it!” another replied, laughing.
James Smith sent $200
“Luke, bite me if you can!”People began accepting the transfers eagerly, laughing and repeating the messages as they joined in. The insults spread, echoing through the group chat as more people accepted the money, unaware of who was behind it or why.
Finally, their old high school teacher joined the chat, confused but intrigued by the free cash and copied the message: “Luke is a coward.”
Luke’s frustration was visible, his replies growing angry and desperate as he tried to stop the chaos. “Whoever is doing this—stop it right now!”
But the chat continued to spiral until James was finally removed from the group. He put his phone away, satisfied. The wealth his father had left him wasn’t just a lifeline—it was freedom, power, and, in this case, a bit of poetic justice.
Arriving at the towering Maple Properties building, James paused, taking in the sleek glass exterior. Just a few years ago, he had been thrown out of this very building, humiliated and penniless, while asking for wages he was rightfully owed. Today, he was returning—but this time, as the company’s new CEO.
As he approached the entrance, a security captain stepped forward, eyeing him skeptically. “What do you want?” the captain asked, his tone dismissive. “Here to demand money or something?”
James smiled calmly. “Actually, I’m here for business. My business.”
The captain raised an eyebrow, sizing him up. “Look, if you’re here to ask for a job—”
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind. “Well, if it isn’t the pauper,” sneered Luke, stepping out of his car. He looked James up and down, still smug but visibly irritated from the group chat fiasco.
James turned to face him, holding his gaze with steady, unflinching eyes. “Luke,” he greeted, his tone cool and composed. “Funny seeing you here.”
Luke crossed his arms, his expression a mix of arrogance and frustration. “Thought you could humiliate me in that group chat and get away with it, huh? Still pulling those cheap tricks, I see.”
James smiled, unfazed. “Cheap? The money seemed to work pretty well, didn’t it? You could call it an investment in honesty.”
Luke scowled, shifting uncomfortably. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? But at the end of the day, you’re still just a nobody.”
“Maybe I was,” James replied, stepping closer until he was eye-to-eye with Luke. “But things have changed.”
Luke scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Oh yeah? Enlighten me. What could possibly be different?”
James glanced up at the Maple Properties logo gleaming above them. “I’m here to take over Maple Properties as CEO. So, if you’re looking for a ‘somebody,’ Luke, you might want to take a closer look.”
Luke’s jaw dropped, the smirk slipping from his face as the weight of James’s words sank in.
James offered a final, unwavering smile. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a business to run.” He strode toward the entrance, leaving Luke stunned, facing the reality that the man he once humiliated was now in control of an empire.
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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
THE SON IN LAW WANTS HIS REVENGE Chapter 7
The dim light of the restroom flickered above as James stood cornered by two security guards, their sneers making it clear they relished this moment.“Guess you didn’t think you’d end up back here, did you, ‘Mr. Carter’?” one guard jeered, pushing him toward the stalls. “Still pretending to be someone important?”James remained silent, his gaze steady despite the humiliation. Let them think they have the upper hand, he told himself. Their time will come.Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He managed to pull it out, seeing Alexis Lane’s name flash across the screen. But before he could answer, the guard nearest him snatched the phone.“Well, well, what’s this? Ms. Lane is calling you? Trying to get help, huh?” The guard laughed and answered the call, pressing the speaker button.“Hello, James?” Alexis’s voice was sharp, laced with authority. “Where are you?”“Oh, James is a little busy right now,” the guard sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. “Why don’t you mind your bu
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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
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The corridor was silent save for the harsh, echoing sound of Richard’s strikes against Todd’s legs. Each brutal blow resonated with sickening cracks, and Todd’s screams filled the air as his bones shattered. His once-arrogant demeanor was gone, replaced by bloodied, broken agony. James watched without flinching, feeling a strange satisfaction at the justice unfolding before him.Laura, Todd’s mother, lunged forward, her face twisted with rage. “You monster!” she screamed, her voice raw with fury. “You can’t do this to my son!”Richard turned calmly and, without hesitation, kicked her back with a force that sent her sprawling to the ground. He took a step forward, towering over her. “I suggest you stay silent,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “Or you’ll find yourself joining him.”Laura’s face paled, and she crawled backward, too terrified to speak. Henry, Todd’s father, stood frozen, his eyes wide with fear as he realized the danger of crossing James and his powerful allies.Dr.
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“Hey, let me be.” Tasha said, struggling to break free from Victor’s grasp. “No, we won’t let you go, you must tell us who sent you,”James said, piercing into Tasha’s eyes. “I won’t reveal her identity, no matter what,”Tasha said, her face set in a determined expression. “Oh, I see you’re stubborn and not easily swayed.”James said, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Tasha. “Don’t worry, I will handle your case”. Tasha spat in Victor’s face, and before James could even react, Victor unleashed a powerful punch, striking Tasha’s jaw with a loud crack. Her nose bled and she crumpled to the ground, feeling dazed and weak. “Hey Victor, why did you do that?.”James said looking at victor with a furious face. “She spat on me. How dare she do that?” Victor answered James as he picked up a bottle and smashed it against the wall. “Calm down buddy! Anger won’t solve anything here.” James told Victor in a calm tone. Tasha was on the ground gasping for air. She was in pain an
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James crouched behind the SUV, his sharp eyes scanning the armed men who had just arrived. The air was thick with tension, the sound of boots crunching against gravel as Brandon’s men fanned out, surrounding the area. Their guns were drawn, but James remained still, calculating.Victor had already driven off with Pamela, taking the back road out of the farmhouse. That was the only thing James needed to be sure of her safety. Now, all that was left was dealing with the men in front of him.A familiar voice cut through the night.“James.”James turned his head slightly, spotting a man stepping forward from the group. He was tall, well-dressed despite the dirt road, and carried himself with the confidence of someone who believed he was untouchable.It was Carter Langley, one of Brandon’s top enforcers.“You should’ve stayed out of this,” Carter said, shaking his head. “You just don’t know when to quit.”James smirked. “And you don’t know when you’re being used as cannon fodder.”Carter’s
Chapter 73
The night air was crisp as James led Pamela out of the farmhouse, his grip on her hand firm but gentle. The weight of the moment still pressed down on him, but the immediate danger had passed. Garth was subdued, tied up under Victor’s watchful eye, and backup was on its way. Yet James knew better than to relax.This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.Pamela was quiet as they walked toward the waiting SUV, her hand still in his. James glanced down at her, his sharp eyes scanning for any signs of injury. She had been through hell, and yet, she was holding herself together. That strength of hers—it was something he admired more than she would ever know.“You’re safe now,” James murmured, his voice rough with emotion.Pamela exhaled slowly, then looked up at him. “I knew you’d come,” she whispered.A ghost of a smile flickered across James’s lips. “You’re stuck with me, remember?”Despite the adrenaline still pumping through her veins, Pamela let out a small, breathy laugh. But before eithe
Chapter 72
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Chapter 70
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Chapter 69
The tension in the air was suffocating. Pamela sat in her living room, her heart pounding as she stared at the extra security team James had stationed around their home. Emily sat beside her, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing outside.James had left early that morning, his face grim but determined. Pamela could still hear his parting words echoing in her mind.“Stay inside. Don’t go anywhere unless I call you. Trust me, Pamela. I’ll handle this.”But she couldn’t shake the feeling that things were spiraling out of control. Brandon’s desperation made him unpredictable, and the idea of him targeting her or Emily filled her with dread.As the hours dragged on, Pamela tried to distract herself, but her mind kept wandering to James. How much longer could he carry this burden? How far would Brandon go to take him down?Meanwhile, at Holt Industries, chaos reigned. Brandon paced his office, his phone pressed to his ear as he shouted into the receiver.“You said you had a plan! Where ar
