Chapter 34

**James POV**

The morning has turned to worsen when he got a surprise visit from someone, he wished he never had to lay eyes upon again.

"You have a visitor, Mr. McKenzie", Brittany said briskly.

"Brittany about the morning incident-", James tried to placate her with his almost apology.

"I will send her in then", Brittany cut off his attempt.

Within a second his door opened and standing there is a seductive pose is Anna, short for Annabel Smith or Annabel McKenzie legally.

Anna wore a mini dark blue Bodycon dress with a crisscross back slit. Her hair is smooth and straightened to perfection and her face is nary marred with any imperfection. She wore a black kohl eye-makeup that would better suit for a night party.

"Hello, James", Anna purred his name.

James is not in the mood for Anna's antics. From the description and the way, she said his name people may think she is his girlfriend. But the truth is she is his stepsister. A very annoying, pain in his ass stepsister. In simple terms, she is a shark in women's clothing. Give her an inch and she will swallow you.

Anna has mastered the degree of "how to irritate James McKenzie''. A stepsister is supposed to be friendly if not indifferent towards the brother. However, Anna is on a whole new level. She loves to flirt with him. James thought it's her own version of antagonizing him. His body shivers to think, what she will do if he really takes up on her offer? Not that he is interested in her. A viper is more friendly than her.

James believes it's his fault that she and her gold-digging mother are amidst his family. Her mother is easy to handle... give her some cash and she will sashay away; she is a typical feminine archetype of gold-digger. But Anna...Anna is aiming for bigger fish. Her goal is to make her last name permanent. She doesn't care that it would be illegal. She sees him as a stairway to success and she is willing to break a few laws to achieve it.

James couldn't tolerate her on good days. He hoped she would sprout her nonsense and leave soon. In a way, the arrival of Anna and her mother into their lives is wholly his doing. He never meant to subvert his family dynamics.

***Twenty-five years ago***

James is excited about his birthday. His dad is going to be there on his birthday for the first time. Though he stopped expecting anything from both of his parents he never relinquished the hope. He is a 10-year-old boy after all. Yesterday's sins are forgotten but not forgiven.

The incident that happened three years ago was shoved into the back of his mind. It made him cautious of his mother, reluctant to approach her at normal times. But not put off from the hope that everything will be normal soon. His 7-year-old heart wasn't ready to accept that his parents can be deliberately cruel then. And, still is not ready to do now, though James has learned that normalcy is not in the cards where his parents are concerned. He has learned...but has yet to accept.

His birthday party started with a blast. People were enjoying the delicacies. The atmosphere is filled with live music and waiters were catering hor oeuvres for the nibbling. People were meandering about talking about nonsensical things.

His parents have lavished the mansion with decorations. No expenses were left in making this happen. Unbeknownst to James, the decorations, the foolishness of this party, the people, it's all done to impress the investors. His birthday is just a cover to make this happen.

James learned this fact when the party was in full swing. It happened in the cruelest way possible for a 10-year-old boy.

"What do you think about this party?", James heard the conversation when he was on his way to get a punch.

James was very excited to hear what the recipient was going to say, so he lingered, hiding behind in a spot where they couldn't see him.

"That McKenzie is mad! Who uses their own son? That bastard can go to any lengths to kiss the asses of the investors. All he cares about is filling his own pockets. I pity that poor boy. He doesn't know that his parents don't care about him", a wheezing voice said while drinking from his glass.

"Pity? I see the future of McKenzie in the making. Don't pity him! He will be like his father in ten years. I guarantee you. There is no innocence between these walls", an arrogant voice countered back.

"For Christ's sake, keep your voice down. That boy is only 10-year-old. What are you talking about!!" the male voice asked, interested in the knowledge.

"I heard from a very close source of Julian that this 'innocent' boy saw Julian and his mother in flagrante delicto. Know what I mean? So, tell me, is he as innocent as you say?", the arrogant one replied with glee, happy to share his findings.

"No way! Julian fucked Perla? And McKenzie is kissing his ass on his son's birthday for investment? This is hilarious. I wish we could see his face when he learns about this secret tryst of his wife", the wheezer said.

"It's no secret at all. Everyone knows except that fool McKenzie. It's not a tryst, my friend, it's a series of trysts. Perla is...shall we say every rich bloke that crossed path with her has gotten the chance to know her...very thoroughly", the arrogant one implied with smugness he is accustomed to.

"Does that mean?"

"Psst. I don't lay my fingers on used goods. And Perla is very much used. If you really want to pity someone...pity McKenzie. He got the wrong end of the stick and he doesn't even know it", the arrogant one scoffed at doubting his standards.

They both laughed at the innuendo. Before they could discuss Perla's conquests, a waiter passed by them carrying a tray. Feeling that they have discussed enough on this subject, they both dispersed mingling in the crowd. James never got to see who they were! His thoughts were on the matters the duo discussed.