Chapter 72

At that moment, Emily was now standing in a corner of the study, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her eyes quietly observing James as he paced like a lion in a cage. The air was heavy with frustration, and the only sound was the ticking of the clock mixed with James’ restless breathing.

But Emily’s mind was far from the wreckage. Her thoughts were loud, louder than James’ muttering.

“I’ll give him some time,” she whispered internally. “I won’t rush. I’ll just watch… observe. If he pulls himself together, maybe just maybe there’s still something left for me here p>

She lowered her eyes, her chest tightening.

“But if things get worse if he spirals down and loses everything then I’m gone. No explanations, no tears. I won’t think twice. I didn’t work this hard to get here just to suffer beside a man who doesn’t know how to protect what he has p>

Her gaze shifted back to James. She had admired him once powerful, calculating, ambitious. He had seemed untouchable. That image was what pulled her in. She had played her cards carefully, rising from just his secretary to his lover. But now? That image was starting to crack. And what lay beneath was not strength, it was weakness, confusion, and desperation.

“If he could betray his own wife to be with me,” Emily thought bitterly, “then what makes me think I’m any different? One day, when someone ’better’ walks in, someone smarter, prettier, more useful… I’ll be the one getting tossed aside p>

That thought lingered like poison. She knew James wasn’t thinking clearly anymore. And now that he had lost the mega deal with Victors and had lost the flash drive his only solid weapon against Cora was gone… he was a shadow of the man she once idolized.

But still, she wouldn’t leave. Not yet. Not until she was sure. Not until she knew whether James was sinking completely or if he would rise and take back control.

After a long moment of silence, she finally walked closer, her voice calm but probing.

“So… James,” she said softly, almost coldly, “what are we going to do about the situation p>

At that moment, James’ jaw clenched so tightly, the muscles on his face twitched. His eyes burned with fury as he turned toward Emily, his voice low but filled with venom.

“I’m going to kill that witch,” he growled, his tone sending a chill down Emily’s spine.

He wasn’t shouting. He didn’t need to. The anger in his voice was sharp enough to pierce steel.

“Cora thinks she can disgrace me… fool me like this?” he spat, his chest rising and falling with rage. “And get away with it? No… No, she has no idea who she’s playing with p>

He took a step back and kicked a fallen chair out of his way. Emily didn’t flinch. She had seen him angry before, but not like this. This was personal. This was revenge boiling in his blood.

“If she thinks she’s wise,” James continued, pacing now with a cruel smirk crawling across his face, “then I’ll show her that I’m wiser. I know someone… someone who can handle this perfectly p>

His eyes narrowed as he stopped in place, lost in thought for a moment. Then, almost like he was speaking more to himself than to Emily, he said coldly, “It’s time. I’m going to meet him immediately. He’s the kind of man who doesn’t ask questions—he gets things done. Cora won’t even see it coming p>

At that moment, without wasting a single word, James stormed out of the house. His footsteps echoed with anger, each stride sharp and full of heat. Emily didn’t dare follow him. She simply watched from the corner of the room, arms crossed, lips pressed tightly together. The silence he left behind was louder than any argument. No explanation. No glance back. Just pure fury walking out the door.

It was the next morning, Cora was already dressed and ready before the sun could rise too high. Her outfit was smart, elegant just enough to command presence, but not too much to look desperate. She stood by the window for a moment, looking outside at the quiet city streets, her mind replaying the past few days. So many things had happened at once attacks, betrayal, threats and now, two very different meetings awaited her. One with Robert, a man from a legacy of power. And the other with Levi.

Just then, a car horn sounded softly outside.

Malisa had arrived, not long after She stepped into the room with her usual confidence and offered Kura a gentle smile. “Ready?” she asked.

Cora nodded once. “Let’s go p>

They didn’t speak much on the way to the restaurant. Both of them were thinking calculating. As the car pulled into the reserved parking space of the upscale venue, Cora could already feel a shift in the air. Something about today felt heavier.

Inside the restaurant, the lighting was dim but warm, designed for quiet, private discussions rather than casual dining. A few waiters moved like shadows between tables, serving without being noticed.

Malisa leaned closer to Kura as they were being guided to a reserved room.

“Both of the meetings are happening here,” Malisa whispered.

Immediately Cora’s eyes darted toward her, surprised. “Here? Both p>

Malisa gave a small nod. “Yes. Robert’s meeting comes first. He should be arriving any minute now. After that, we’ll proceed to see Lovie. He asked that it be done discreetly p>

Cora took a deep breath and adjusted the collar of her blazer. “Alright. Let’s hear what they both have to say p>

Malisa nodded approvingly. “One meeting at a time. And remember, we keep control. No matter who walks through that door p>

At that moment, without wasting any more time, Cora and Malisa walked through the grand glass doors of the restaurant. Their heels echoed against the polished floor as a waiter in a tailored black vest approached them with practiced politeness.

“Ms. Cora and Ms. Malisa, correct?” he asked, bowing slightly.

Cora gave a soft nod.

“Please follow me. The guest is already waiting in the VIP suite p>

That alone made Melissa raise her brow. “Already waiting?” she whispered, half to herself, half to Cora. “He’s early p>