Chapter 51 A Slap
Back at the Smith Family mansion, once inside their suite, Mary closed the door behind her and said to James in a low voice, "Thank you."
James laughed lightly, "What are you thanking me for?"
"For bailing you out?" He dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "No need for that. We're not divorced yet. I wouldn't let Joseph bully you like this."
"No, I'm thanking you for giving me a moment of fantasy." Mary let out a soft sigh, her eyes shimmering. She wasn't a gold-digger, but that didn't mean she didn't appreciate diamonds and luxury cars.
She had always thought that she would spend her life diligently working, earning a few million a year, and spending her best years in mediocrity.
But to her surprise, James had given her a dazzling moment tonight. Although it was brief, it was something she had experienced.
Hearing this, James's voice softened. "There's nothing to thank me for. Maybe I really have fallen for you."
"Fallen for me?" Mary laughed. "I think you've thought about strangling me more than falling for me."
Their marriage was a transaction. Where could real feelings come from?
She didn't believe that James, who had been humiliated by the Smith family for a year, could develop any affection for her.
"You don't know, but eighteen years ago, I fell in love with you…" James said, his eyes misty.
"Enough with the soap opera theatrics," Mary rolled her eyes at him, then reluctantly removed the Alluring Love Diamond necklace from around her neck and handed it back to James.
"Why are you giving this back?" James asked, puzzled.
"What do you mean?" Mary huffed. "I'm returning the necklace. Do you really think I'd believe you have a billion to spend on the Alluring Love Diamond for me? I checked the Lamborghini's registration on the way here. Thousand Treasures Corporation owns it. If I'm not wrong, both the necklace and the Lamborghini were borrowed by you through Olivia Lee from Thousand Treasures Corporation just to give me a moment to shine. Now that it's done, I am satisfied, but they should be returned. If anything were to happen to them, we wouldn't be able to afford the costs."
She was reluctant to part with the Alluring Love Diamond, probably the most expensive necklace she would ever wear. Still, she knew that Cinderella had to return her glass slippers eventually.
James was at a loss for words, "Indeed, the car was borrowed, but the necklace..."
Mary said, "Just admit it. Keep it safe, and make sure to return it first thing tomorrow."
Mary bit her lip, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes as she carefully placed the necklace back into its box and pushed it into James's arms. "Considering you gave me a moment tonight and stood up to Joseph, I'll overlook your flirtations with Olivia Lee. Even if our feelings aren't real, you're obliged to remain faithful until we're divorced, or you'll have to answer to me. I've said my piece. I'm going to shower and sleep now. I still have to discuss a loan with Director Brown tomorrow."
With that, she turned and entered the inner room, slamming the door shut behind her.
James looked at the items in his hands and sighed...
The next morning, James drove to a phone store. His iPhone 4 hadn't just failed to start last night; its battery had exploded, so he had to replace it.
An hour later, James left the store with a new phone, inserting his SIM card and powering it on.
While waiting, he saw a taxi pull up across the street at Hundred Flowers Bank.
Mary got out and entered the bank with a stern expression.
James fiddled with his new phone as he crossed the street toward the bank, recalling Mary's loan situation.
Hundred Flowers Bank was a local commercial bank that, due to policy support, hosted accounts for many enterprises in Rosewood City and ranked as the fifth largest bank.
Just as he reached the bank entrance, his phone began to vibrate.
He answered it to hear Taylor's anxious voice. "James, your phone is finally working."
She sounded reproachful. "I wanted to apologize yesterday but couldn't reach you. I thought about visiting the Smith family but felt it would be too abrupt."
James smiled lightly. "My phone broke. I just bought a new one."
"I thought you were mad," Taylor realized, relieved, "James, I'm really sorry about yesterday."
"It's fine, yesterday's over," James cut to the chase. "Don't worry, it won't affect our relationship. I should thank you for the Alluring Love Diamond."
Taylor asked, "Does your wife like it?"
Taylor finally let go of his worries and asked with a light chuckle. "Where are you now?"
James paused, then smiled. "Mr. Sanders is looking for me?"
Taylor didn't hide it. "He begged me for a long time yesterday and called me a dozen times this morning, full of remorse for his arrogance. I won't go into details now, but Mr. Sanders really wants to see you. He hopes to apologize to you in person."
"I'm at the bank." James gave her his location.
Taylor said, "Great, wait there. I'll have him come to you right away."
After hanging up, James pocketed his phone and entered the lobby to search for Mary. He spotted her entering an office labeled 'Director Douglas Brown.'
Seeing Mary's troubled expression, James followed to find out more.
"Director Brown, I need a billion-dollar loan. Please help me. It has to be approved," Mary pleaded anxiously to a balding middle-aged man.
"I've stopped two production lines and taken out high-interest loans to cover expenses. The interest costs thousands daily. If you don't approve it soon, I'll go mad." Mary was earnest. "We've cooperated for years. You know our company's capabilities..."
"I've told you many times that TG Company is risky, and the bank can't extend a billion-dollar loan," Douglas Brown dismissed her, then smiled as he pulled a contract from his drawer.
Douglas said, "However, Keith can lend you fifty million. Here's the contract for the loan, enough to alleviate your immediate crisis. Just sign here, and it's effective. You can take it anytime."
He was blunt. "But you have to spend a night with Keith."
Keith?
Mary's face changed drastically when she recognized the name, and then her expression turned icy. "Do you realize what you're suggesting?"
She suppressed her anger. "Don't you find your words disgusting?"
Douglas waved his hand dismissively. "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I want you to spend the night with Keith. At our last gathering, Keith from the capital took quite a liking to you and asked me to arrange this. Just one night with him, and he'll transfer the funds to this bank and even offer me a stake in his new company. Keith is a major client of our bank, and his investments in Rosewood City are vital. Owning shares in his company would mean financial freedom for me. If you agree to spend the night with Keith, the fifty million contract is yours, and I can even shave off one percent from the interest rate. That would save you millions."
Douglas relentlessly pressured Mary.
"I won't make such a filthy deal," Mary's voice deepened.
"I know it's sudden, but this is an opportunity for me and you," Douglas persisted.
Douglas said, "It could bring me huge benefits and change your future. Besides the fifty million contract, I can also promise to use my connections to help your company's sales. Just one night would relieve so much pressure and save you a lot of money. Why be so stubborn?"
He coaxed, "Think about it, Ms. Smith..."
"I won't do it," Mary's voice was low.
Douglas sighed. "Ms. Smith, it's just one night. Weigh the pros and cons. Many people would kill for this chance. Why won't you take it? Just close your eyes and spread your legs. You're already married. What does one more night matter? And if you help me this time, our future cooperation will be more pleasant. If you don't help, aren't you just making things difficult for yourself?"
He was manipulative, a skilled broker of flesh. Anyone with weak resolve might be swayed.
Mary stood up. "Director Brown, I really need the money, but I will never make such a trade."
She was cool, determined, and had her principles.
"If you don't agree, forget about the fifty million," Douglas exploded, slamming the table and threatening viciously.
Douglas raised his voice. "And let's not forget, the thirty million you borrowed earlier is due next month. TG Company has to repay it on time. If you default, I have the right to seize TG Company, and you'll lose everything. You might even be forced into prostitution to pay off the high-interest loans. Instead of sleeping with a multitude of men, it's better to be with just Keith. Besides, Keith is one of the Capital's Four Young Masters. Sleeping with Him is a great honor for you. Why put on airs?"
He stood up and approached her with a sneering smile.
"Get lost." Mary threw her tea in his face.
Douglas Brown suddenly became utterly disheveled.
Douglas shouted, "Bitch, dare to splash me, I'll kill you."
Douglas, not even wiping off the tea, kicked out fiercely.
Mary couldn't dodge in time. Pain shot through her abdomen as she and the chair fell to the floor.
A brutal act of violence.
Almost at the same moment, the door was kicked open.
James stormed in, furious, and delivered a resounding slap.
The sound echoed as James sent Douglas tumbling to the floor.
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