Chapter 19
Christopher and Abigaile left the Smith family with ashen faces.
James's nonchalant revelation not only quashed Charles's enthusiasm but also left Christopher and Abigail with a loss of face.
In the presence of the real owner of the Rolex, Christopher's claim that he bought it from Charles made him feel utterly humiliated.
However, Addison made James do household chores all day and nitpicked him half a day.
As dusk approached and Mary was about to go out for the gathering, Addison insisted on safety grounds that James accompany Mary to the event.
James understood that although Addison's request seemed to be for Mary's benefit, it was actually a form of retaliation, a desire to see him humiliated.
Mary initially refused to have James follow her, but Addison was determined to embarrass him, and finally James accompanied Mary.
At 6:00 p.m., the red BMW cruised along the main road of Rosewood City.
Mary drove with an icy face, not speaking a word to James, apparently still resentful about the divorce request.
James didn't speak either, observing the amulet on Mary's body.
He noticed that the malevolent force on her had spread further, now enveloping her legs and waist. At this rate, she would be overtaken within a week.
Then, Mary would face another test of death.
While Mary stepped out to pick up some egg tarts, James took the opportunity to place several talismans for dispelling evil behind the seat, under her handbag, and inside her phone case.
Since she couldn't discard the amulet right away, he did his best to slow the accumulation of malevolent force.
Mary soon returned, restarted the car, and headed for the clubhouse. James clearly saw the malevolent force recede significantly.
Just as he was sighing in relief, a message popped up on James's phone. It was from Jacob.
Jacob had lost his sword yesterday and had worn the peace talisman drawn by James, but today, he was still plagued by misfortune.
He almost choked to death drinking water at noon.
Jacob was eager to see James immediately.
James had planned to find Jacob tomorrow, but seeing his urgent state and the photo showing a darkened brow, he decided to send Jacob the location of the gathering.
"Are you sending a message to Olivia?" Seeing James texting so cheerfully without saying a word, Mary couldn't help but speak up, "If you want to have dinner with her, you might as well go directly. There's no need to accompany me to the XF Club."
"I'll explain to Mom. I can take responsibility for my safety."
Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, veins subtly protruding.
James said, "It's not her."
He was surprised that Mary brought up Olivia, and after a brief pause, he shook his head and replied, "It's Jacob ; his luck has been..."
"No, he's asking about the contract with Ms. Smith."
James explained and added, "I told him to contact Mrs. Smith directly."
Mary's face relaxed a bit, and then she suddenly changed the subject. "Olivia helped you quite a bit with the debt collection yesterday, didn't she?"
James replied indifferently, "I collected it myself."
Mary was about to explode and said, "Can't you have a proper conversation?"
She still couldn't believe that James had recovered two million dollars on his own.
James said, "I went to the SH Corporation to collect the debt and happened to see Jacob crossing the street."
Realizing the truth wouldn't work, James told a lie, "He wasn't paying attention and almost got hit by a car. Luckily, I pulled him back in time to avoid an accident."
"He was very grateful to me, and ten million dollars are just a drop in the bucket for him, so he happily paid back the money and signed the contract."
"Of course, Olivia also made a call."
Mary wouldn't believe him, so James chose a more acceptable reason.
"I see!" Mary suddenly understood why James was successful in collecting the debt, signing a three-year contract, and receiving a ten-million-dollar advance payment.
It was a stroke of luck that he helped Jacob.
"Try not to involve Olivia too much in the future," Mary said coldly, "Even though you saved Sophia, you can't take advantage of that favor."
For some reason, the thought of Olivia instinctively made her want to explode.
James frowned slightly and said, "Aren't you being a bit too nosy?"
Mary's eyebrows shot up. "Stop the nonsense. Are you going to listen or not?"
"Fine, I'll listen to you." James nodded hurriedly. "I'll bother Olivia less in the future..."
Mary continued to ask, "By the way, your Rolex, worth about ten thousand dollars, did Olivia buy it for you?"
"No." James shook his head. "It was given by Jacob."
Without waiting for Mary to question further, James took out the Rolex and tossed it onto the car seat. "If you don't believe me, you can check the purchase record with the serial number."
Seeing this, Mary's face finally softened, and she huffed, "I don't have the time to deal with your mess."
As they spoke, the car approached a glittering clubhouse.
As lights flickered on and cars bustled, wafts of fragrance accompanied the comings and goings of elegant men and women. James and Mary alighted from their car at the entrance, a Maserati pulling up shortly after.
Two tall women appeared. It was Mary's two best friends, Ava and Madelyn.
Both they were dressed in low-cut blouses, revealing a swath of fair abdomen, and wore skirts so short they could hardly be shorter. Their fair skin and long legs, coupled with their beautiful faces, drew the attention of passersby. However, their indifferent and haughty expressions made their gaze much lower.
"Mary, you're here." Seeing Mary, they approached.
Mary greeted them with a smile, "Ava, Madelyn, good evening."
"Mary, you've become even more beautiful," Madelyn said.
She decked out in Chanel, smiled, and then scrutinized James from head to toe.
She asked, "So, are you James?"
Her disdain was evident.
Her outfit cost nearly a hundred thousand, while James's clothes, which could be cobbled together for tens of dollars, stood in stark contrast.
Standing together, the difference between them was clear.
Ava, with her cold beauty, didn't even glance at James, exuding an aura of indifference.
James said, "Hello."
"Mary, let's go in quickly; lots of friends are already here." Madelyn gave James a disdainful look and pulled Mary into the clubhouse first.
As James was about to follow, the aloof Ava stepped in front of him and said, "James, I hope you divorce Mary soon."
Ava's tone was icy. "The purpose of the marriage of convenience has been achieved. It would be wise for you to leave on your own accord."
James replied calmly, "Whether we divorce or not seems to be none of your business."
"She's my best friend, of course; it concerns me," Ava lifted her delicate chin and said, "You have neither money nor ability. You're not worthy of Mary."
"You'll never be able to join us."
Looking up at the high and mighty Ava, James's mouth curled into a mocking smile. He said, "Ms. Miller, you think too highly of yourself and too little of me."
"Although I have no achievements now, I believe that in at most half a year, I will have a place in the Rosewood City."
At this moment, James's demeanor changed. He seemed like a lofty deity, his aura overwhelming, making it difficult for Ava to breathe.
He added, "As for joining yours, it's insignificant in my eyes."
"If it weren't for Mrs. Smith's request tonight, I wouldn't bother coming to such a gathering."
"It's not about whether I'm worthy of Mary or not, even if I'm not, so what?"
"Who do you think you are? What gives you the right to dictate?"
With those words, James stepped into the clubhouse, leaving Ava stunned.
Then, she sneered in anger, "James, I don't know where your confidence comes from..."
"But let me tell you, I will never agree to you two being together."
With that, a look of determination filled her eyes.
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