Chapter 523 A Shot in the Back
Despite the pressure from the Jones women and the Garcia family, James stayed unfazed, focusing on setting up his small shop.
At noon, Mary called to invite him for lunch, and he headed over to her place.
James pushed open the hotel suite door to find Mary in a white nightgown, cooking steaks in the open kitchen. The rich aroma filled the air as she worked with practiced skill. Sunlight streamed in, giving her pinned-up hair a peaceful glow.
"So you finally showed up," she said without turning around. "Still not planning to fight back? When did my man become such a pushover?"
Mary drizzled red wine over the steaks just before they were done, enhancing the flavor. She nodded toward the dining table for James to sit.
"Someone blinded by love only gets more difficult when confronted directly," James said with a smile as he sat down. "Besides, we open in two days anyway. What's one more day of waiting?"
Mary laughed. "Looks like that year with the Smith family gave you world-class patience."
"With Addison as my whetstone, I didn't have much choice," James joked.
"She's my mother. Could you stop calling her Addison all the time?" Mary shot him a look. "How am I supposed to respond to that?"
She sighed. Addison had hurt the Smith family deeply, even causing her own divorce. She understood why James held a grudge.
James, giving Mary a break, changed the subject. "How's Amanda doing?"
"She went back to Stardust City with my parents," Mary said, bringing the perfectly cooked steaks to the table and pouring James a glass of wine.
"She's out of danger and has feeling in her legs again. She was even moving them a few days ago, though her left foot is still stiff." Mary took a sip of wine. "She walks with a slight drag. I don't think it'll ever fully heal."
"I wanted you to check on her last week, but you were out having fun with your new little girlfriend, so I dropped it." A smile played at her lips. James had genuinely cared for Hestia, only to be betrayed. Mary couldn't help finding the irony amusing.
"Can we please drop the Hestia thing?" James said, taking a bite of steak. It was delicious—Mary's cooking had improved dramatically since their Smith family days.
"There was never anything between us. We were just friends, though after today, I doubt we'll even be that." Hestia's embarrassed rage had torpedoed whatever relationship they had.
"I believe you were just friends," Mary said, unable to resist needling him. "You've always preferred the Olivia type anyway. I heard she moved to Stardust City. That girl just won't let go of you, will she?"
"Mary, can we just enjoy our meal? Are you bored or something?" James rubbed his temples. "If you're that restless, come help brew tea at my shop after lunch."
"Brew tea? Since when does the lady of the house brew tea?" Mary didn't even look up. "The lady handles the cash register."
She finished her bite. "Hurry up and eat. When we're done, take me to your shop." Mary didn't pull her hand away when James reached for it. "I gave myself three days off. I'll be working at your tea shop during that time."
James was surprised, then pleased.
Lunch ended quickly. Mary told James to clean up while she changed clothes.
By the time James finished in the kitchen, Mary emerged from her room wearing a black skirt and white sweater that showed off her long, fair legs. Her figure was shapely and elegant, with subtle curves visible beneath the simple outfit. Her style was fashionable yet understated, with just a hint of flirtation.
"Grab my hat and stockings from the balcony," Mary said, pinning up her hair.
James was tempted to flip her off, but obediently went to the balcony and retrieved her things.
Before he could speak, Mary lifted one leg, her snow-white foot gracefully arched. "Help me put these on."
"Seriously? You can't do it yourself?" James grumbled.
"Are you going to help or not?" Mary rested her foot on his knee.
James grudgingly helped her with the stocking.
Mary extended her other foot, casually placing it before him. The view was generous, but she seemed unconcerned, simply enjoying being waited on.
After finishing with the stockings, James stood up and dusted off his hands. "Want me to put on your underwear too?"
"In your dreams!" Mary said, having finished with her hair. She smoothed the stockings to make her legs look even straighter, then gave James a quick kiss.
James's whole body shivered as if electrified.
He wrapped his arm around her slender waist and kissed her forehead in return. Mary didn't resist, allowing him his moment.
Just as things were heating up, James suddenly tensed, then whispered something in Mary's ear. She shuddered slightly.
Their movements became more pronounced as they backed against the kitchen counter, with James's back to the window.
*Bang!*
The curtains were violently pushed aside. A cold breeze rushed in, followed by a dark figure leaping through the window.
Steel flashed as a dagger thrust toward James's back—fast and deadly.
By the time the attacker jumped from the windowsill, James had already spun around with incredible reflexes. His wrist flicked, sending a meat cleaver he'd grabbed earlier flying through the air.
*Clang!*
The cleaver struck the incoming dagger, deflecting it left where it embedded in a kitchen cabinet.
The attacker faltered.
They were small in stature, dressed as hotel staff and wearing a mask. Though appearing frail, their movements were agile and knife work lethal.
James's preemptive dodge and composed counterattack clearly surprised them. They had chosen this moment hoping to catch James distracted during an intimate moment.
How could he possibly notice what was happening behind him?
They had expected one thrust to do the job but had failed. The impact had jarred their hand—James was stronger than anticipated.
*Swoosh!*
After deflecting the dagger, James pushed Mary under a cabinet and grabbed a fruit knife.
Though lost in the moment with Mary, he'd sensed movement at the window—someone watching, approaching silently. The feeling was subtle, impossible to describe, yet undeniably real to him.
The quick-reacting attacker, seeing James on guard, realized success would be difficult. They flicked their fingers, sending several needles flying through the air.
James swung his knife, knocking all the needles away.
"Scarlett?" James called out instinctively. The needles were Scarlett's style, but this attacker seemed far less experienced.
Taking advantage of James's momentary surprise, the assailant leaped toward another window.
Several Smith Corporation security guards burst in and saw the attacker trying to escape. They lunged forward only to be driven back by a quick slash.
The attacker turned to jump out the window.
*Bang!*
A gunshot rang out. The attacker's body suddenly jerked mid-leap.
All movement stopped.
A second later, their foot slipped on the windowsill, and they fell backward.
Shot in the back.
James turned to see Mary lowering a gun.
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