The Rise of James Winslow

CHAPTER FOUR

Everyone stared at James with bewilderment and surprise, they all despised James and had tried numerous times to get rid of him but James remained indifferent to ridicule and insults.

Patriarch Alberto threw the glass in his hand and it shattered on the floor, Alberto scowled at James, he couldn't contain his anger. "You shameless Bastard! How dare you interrupt my birthday celebration with your pitiful request?" 

Melissa was very furious at James, but despite her warning, James still proceeded to embarrass her, in an attempt to salvage the situation Melissa hurried forward lowering her gaze, "Patriarch Alberto please forgive James, he's not in his right senses."

Melissa pulled James to sit down but he did not move, he was usually the quiet son-in-law but today he had only one goal in mind- to save his Matron and nothing anyone said or did mattered to him.

At this moment Zoey, Alice's cousin sneered in disdain "Alice, look at the piece of trash you call your husband...Not only did he not bring Grandfather any gift, but he had this audacity to come here and ask us for money! How can somebody be this shameless?"

Alice lowered her head, why does James always find a way to embarrass her everywhere she goes? She wanted nothing more than to get rid of him.

"What a useless piece of trash, you're a filthy stain to the Martinez family!"

"How shameless! Do you think you're significant to us?"

"Alice, why subject yourself to such embarrassment? This man is dragging you down. Divorce him and marry someone worthy, like Darren. Look at the exquisite jade worth $400,000 he bought for Patriarch Alberto, he can provide for you in ways your good-for-nothing husband never could."

Darren sat comfortably in his chair wearing a self-satisfied grin, the only reason why Darren was here was so he could prove to the Martinez family that he was a better son-in-law, which he proved effortlessly.

Despite the relentless insults, James, with desperation in his eyes, fell to his knees before Patriarch Alberto. "Please, Patriarch Alberto, I beg you. It's a matter of life and death. My Matron needs urgent surgery, and I don't have any other way to save her. I'll do anything to repay the debt, but please, help me save her life" Tears welled up in James' eyes.

Patriarch Alberto's face contorted with anger, and he glared at James. "I have had enough of this miserable beggar, I will not allow him to ruin this celebration any further!"

Patriarch Alberto called out his first son, "Edward!"

"Yes, Father" Edward rushed forward in response to his father's call, his stern expression matching Patriarch Alberto's displeasure. 

Patriarch Alberto pointed a commanding finger at James, who remained on his knees. "Throw this insolent beggar out! and I don't want to ever see him near this Mansion!"

Edward, the eldest son, approached James, he grabbed James by the arm, but James yanked his hand out of his grip, "Please, I just need a chance to save Matron. I'll find a way to repay the debt, I promise."

Edward became infuriated by his persistent pleading and kicked James very hard in the stomach causing James to stumble forward clutching his stomach in agonizing pain 

Patriarch Alberto commanded, "Take this trash out of here immediately!"

 Edward, fueled by his anger and the desire to please his father, showed no mercy as he dragged James out of the Martinez mansion.

The sounds of mocking laughter echoed in James' ears, intensifying the humiliation he felt as he was dragged out of the Martinez mansion.

Edward tossed James out of the gate, glaring at him"You wretched beggar, never set foot near this mansion again! Next time you do will be your last day on earth" 

Bang!!

Edward shut the gate in his face.

James stood outside the Martinez mansion, he felt the weight of desperation pressing on him.

His mind raced, contemplating how he could gather the substantial amount needed for his Matron's surgery, the Martinez family was his only hope and they did not even consider for a second before throwing him out like trash.

Later that evening

"You've humiliated us once again, James! How could you embarrass me like that in front of my family?" Alice clenched her fist as she glared at James, she wanted nothing more than for James to just disappear.

James tried to explain "I had no other choice. Maureen needs surgery urgently."

"I will give you money for the surgery," Melissa declared, causing a momentary silence.

James eyes glistened with gratitude, "Thank you so much ma!" His voice was filled with appreciation

"But on one condition," Melissa continued the excitement on James' face slowly withered away.

"Wh- what condition?" James stammered looking confused, he felt like he knew what she was going to say next.

Melissa stretched out the file to James with a blank expression "Sign the divorce papers and let Alice move on with her life"

James' heart sank as soon as he heard Melissa's condition, he could not believe he had to choose between Maureen's life and his marriage, but James could not just let Maureen die.

If this was the only way to save Maureen, he would do it, besides his so-called wife wants nothing to do with him.

James let out a huge sigh, "Fine, I'll sign the divorce papers."

James collected the file and with a heavy heart, he signed them. And just like that Alice and James were no longer husband and wife.

With the divorce papers signed, a sense of relief washed over Alice, James felt a pang of sadness, realizing that the woman he once cared for so deeply now found joy in their separation.

Melissa's triumphant grin widened as James signed the divorce papers.

With a swift motion, she picked up her phone, her fingers dancing over the screen as she initiated the transfer of half a million to St. Mary's Hospital for Maureen's surgery, "I have transferred the money for the surgery, now leave!" Melissa declared pointing towards the door.

James, grateful yet still burdened with the weight of his decision, had just broken his promise he made to Lady Martinez, but what else could he do? James rushed out of the house and sped towards the hospital on his electric bike.

James parked his bike outside and hurried inside the hospital.

Approaching the secretary, James asked anxiously, "Has the surgery for my Matron started? The money for her surgery has already been paid."

The secretary checked her computer and replied with a furrowed brow, "I'm sorry, but we haven't received any payment for the surgery. There's been no transfer."

Shock and disbelief gripped James and he leaned forward "What do you mean? Please, you have to check again. The payment was just made a few minutes ago."

The secretary once again checked the records meticulously. After a tense pause, she shook her head, confirming, "I'm sorry, sir. There's been no payment received for the surgery."

James began to panic, he brought his phone and tried to call Melissa, but she had blocked his call, he tried again a couple more times, same thing. James' eyes widened as reality dawned on him.

Could Melissa be this wicked? 

Could she have tricked him into signing the divorce papers?