Chapter 339 Refusing to Remarry
James had been trying to track down Olivia, who had gone off the grid. He had Nathaniel looking into it while he got ready to head to Glowing Oasis.
Three days later, if he still couldn't reach Olivia and her team, James would make his way to Glowing Oasis himself.
James had hoped to avoid showing up at Glowing Oasis too soon, worried that Secure Horizon Services and Mystic Alliance might team up against him. But he couldn't stop worrying about Olivia's safety.
Olivia's kindness and gentleness made James feel like he owed her.
For the next two days, James focused on his patients, allowing the Life Gem's white light to recover to seven pieces, giving him more leverage.
In his spare time, he delved into the intelligence on Glowing Oasis, preparing to swiftly deal with the Mystic Alliance's aftermath and gain another advantage.
His attention was so fixed on Glowing Oasis that he didn't notice The Smith Family. As dusk approached, Mary pulled up to the clinic in her red BMW.
Unlike her usual solitary visits, this time Mary was accompanied by seven or eight bodyguards, showcasing the prestige of the Smith Clan's thirteenth branch.
"Hey, Ms. Smith, welcome." James greeted Mary with a smile and led her to the back room. "What brings you here today? Aren't you busy?"
"I've finished what needed to be done, and what's left can wait." Mary greeted Michelle and the others with familiarity, then leaned on the table, staring coldly at James. "But you, you sure know how to disappear."
"You didn't stay with me when things went south, and you haven't called me these past few days. You're really committed to being single, aren't you?"
Mary lightly kicked James before sitting down across from him, her face showing a hint of playful annoyance.
"Ms. Smith, you're being unfair." James poured Mary a cup of coffee and rubbed his leg, speaking with a hint of helplessness. "I'm not exactly popular with the Smith Clan. Amanda and Jane's deaths, while not directly my doing, are still connected to me."
"If I had stayed at the scene or remained by your side, what would the rest of the Smith Clan think?"
"They'd either think I'm provoking them or believe you're in cahoots with me, possibly even spreading rumors that the hitman was arranged by The Smith Family."
"So I kept my distance to avoid upsetting the Smith Clan."
"I didn't call you these past few days because I knew you were busy taking over, and even if you had free time, you needed rest. How could I disturb you?"
James explained his reasoning. "Once things settle down, I'll definitely visit you."
"First to celebrate, and second to strengthen our relationship."
"The TG Company president is nothing compared to the head of the Smith Clan's thirteenth branch, overseeing over six hundred relatives and dozens of businesses."
James joked, "If we get along well, I won't have to worry about the rest of my life."
"You never learn how to talk nicely." Mary huffed, her face still stern but her tone softening.
"But you're right, there's a lot to handle. I need to arrange for someone to take over TG Company affairs, hold a meeting with the thirteenth branch's relatives, and manage the move."
Mary rubbed her head, her eyes showing fatigue. When she was a puppet, she dreamed of gaining real power to benefit her parents.
Now, with true authority, she found the pressure immense, the workload multiplied, and internal doubts from the clan.
Mary missed the past but knew she couldn't go back. Even if she let go, her parents and the Smith Clan wouldn't allow her to leave.
Hearing Mary mention moving to Stardust City, James's voice softened. "When are you leaving?"
"In a week at most, I'll be moving to Stardust City." Mary crossed her legs, her waist forming a graceful curve. "The core relatives of the thirteenth branch are mostly in Stardust City. I need to get there early to take charge."
"Unlike Amanda, who had people, money, and prestige, she could hit people with a cane. If I tried that, I'd be condemned."
"And you know, my position is just a sugar-coated poison pill."
"Those elders don't genuinely want me in power; it's just to stabilize the clan and protect their interests."
"So if I don't handle things well, the benefits will turn into suffering."
Mary had clearly seen the reality of the situation. She then looked at James with a smile. "So our time is limited."
She had another goal: to stabilize the situation and see if she could restart the Cloud Top Mountain project.
James nearly spat out his coffee at her words.
"This is the CF Clinic and The Smith Family villa's property. I took it from my mom. You paid for it, so it should stay with you." Mary smiled, pulling out a stack of documents from her handbag and placing them in front of James. "Peach Blossom No.1 will be returned to you in a few days, too."
James didn't touch the documents, just smiled at Mary. "Don't make it sound so sad. Someone might think we're saying goodbye forever."
"James." Mary hesitated, then raised her face and gathered her courage. "I came here today for another reason."
James was taken aback. "What is it? Tell me, and I'll help if I can."
Mary took a deep breath, walked behind James, and asked, "Do you really want to maintain a good relationship with me?"
James was puzzled but smiled. "Of course, it would save me years of effort."
"Let's get remarried." Mary hugged James from behind, her face resting against his back. "Before I move to Stardust City, let's get remarried."
James's body stiffened. "Are you joking?"
"Do you think I'm some kind of romantic whims, asking you to remarry just for fun?" Mary's face turned cold. "Or do you think I'm just playing around?"
James sighed. "That's not what I meant."
Despite their experiences and changing feelings, James was still surprised by Mary's proposal.
Mary, who valued her pride, must have summoned great courage to suggest remarriage.
"I know that's not what you meant." Mary's face softened, and she held James's hand.
"Let's get the marriage certificate tomorrow, have a family gathering the day after, and take wedding photos the day after that. Then we'll have the wedding."
"It might be rushed, but we can manage it in a week."
"Once we're remarried, I can move to Stardust City with peace of mind and visit you every week."
Mary envisioned their future. "If you get bored, you can bring your parents to Stardust City."
"I won't force you to move there or interfere with your career. My only request is that you give up your other romantic interests for me."
"James, will you remarry me?" Mary looked at James with gentle eyes. "Will you make an effort and sacrifice for me?"
"I would, but I can't remarry right now." James hesitated.
"Why not?" Mary felt like she was in a daze, her surroundings fading away, her mind buzzing.
She hadn't expected James to say he couldn't remarry right now, not the words she had hoped for.
Mary bit her lip, her voice cold again. "I put aside my pride to propose, and you say no. You owe me an explanation."
Seeing Mary's hopeful and questioning eyes, James felt torn.
James knew Mary was sincere about remarrying and believed she would be a good wife, but he truly didn't have the time right now.
"Olivia is in trouble. I need to go to Glowing Oasis tomorrow." James gritted his teeth. "When I return, we can remarry, okay?"
"Olivia again? Are you really being kept by her?" Mary's face turned cold, her eyes emotionless. "Or is she more important to you than me?"
"No, she's really in trouble." James spread his hands. "It's serious. I have to go to Glowing Oasis."
"I know you're loyal. Fine, I won't stop you." Mary took a deep breath, deciding to give James some space.
"But go a week later."
"After we get the marriage certificate and remarry, you can go to Glowing Oasis. I won't interfere."
Mary told herself not to be jealous and to give James some space.
"Mary, I'm sorry, but I can't wait a week." James shook his head. "How about this: after I go to Glowing Oasis, I'll come straight to Stardust City. We can remarry there."
"James!" Mary's expression turned icy, her voice filled with frost.
"I proposed to you, allowed you to go to Glowing Oasis, and didn't mind you seeing Olivia. Why are you pushing it?"
"Are you so eager to see Olivia that you'd sacrifice our remarriage and can't wait even a week?"
Mary's voice carried disappointment, her body trembling. James could feel her suppressed emotions.
"That's not what I meant." James turned to face Mary. "Olivia's situation is urgent. I need to handle it quickly."
"Handle it quickly? You clearly only care about Olivia. Otherwise, you wouldn't act like this."
Mary refused to listen to James's explanation, speaking coldly.
"I fell in love with you, thinking you still cared for me."
"But now I see I was naive."
Mary's strength seemed to vanish, her vision darkening.
She had lowered her pride to propose, hoping for a happy ending, but James had refused, unwilling to wait even a week.
Her dreams of a beautiful future and determination to be a good wife crumbled.
To Mary, James's reasons were just excuses. He didn't love her enough.
Her love was just one-sided.
Mary's tone turned icy. "James, I'll be at the courthouse at ten tomorrow."
"If you don't show up, don't ever see me again."
Mary smiled bitterly, grabbed her handbag, and walked towards the exit.
"Mary!" James reached out to stop her, but Mary coldly pushed him away.
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