Chapter 60

**James POV**

"The mess that you made by making my father bankrupt. The mess that brought Jacqueline into my life. Compared to your plight, I think I deserve more. What do you say? What are you giving me as reimbursement Eleanor", James took a step in her direction and clenched his fist, his posture screaming subdued anger?

"I...I... James, you are twisting my words", Eleanor said as a line appeared between her brows. This is not going at all as per the plan. What sort of pickle she landed herself in!

"Very well. How about this? You will sacrifice the house you were living in and go far away from my life. How about that as my compensation?" James gave the alternative as he took out the wine bottle from the mini-refrigerator of the room.

"James...I couldn't...couldn't do that", Eleanor panicked not liking the direction of his thoughts. Where is the damn Will!

"Does Jacqueline threaten you with something, Eleanor? Is that it?" James scrutinized her near panic expression as he poured the wine into the glass.

Eleanor lost all her color. She should have said no when Jacqueline insisted.

"She did, didn't she? Dear wife... she will never learn, does she?" James snickered at the ploy
"I don't know what you mean by that James", Eleanor prattled as a flush crept up her face.
A sudden tap on the door disturbed the ambiance of the room.

"Mr. McKenzie, a courier for you", David said as he entered holding the said envelope.

"Put it at the desk", James said to David, not moving his eyes from Eleanor.

Eleanor relaxed seeing the envelope in the hands of the bodyguard. Finally! A minute more and she may have to give James’s money for coming near him.

Noticing the relaxed stance of Eleanor, James narrowed his eyes as he carefully lifted the envelope. He put the glass beside the table, opened the envelope, and went through its contents.

A testament of sorts fell in his lap. James read the Will of his father. It was dated 23 years ago. At a time when he was just a 12-year-old kid, his father was newly married to his stepmother. A time when his father had his money.

"Do you have any hand in this?", James asked as a muscle tucked in his jaw.

A flush crept up her face at his inquisition. "What..."

"Don't play coy with me, Eleanor! Who sent this Will?" James nearly snarled at her but controlled at the last minute.

"I don't know James. What Will? Can I see it?" Eleanor tried to snap the papers but James was faster than that.

"So, you say, Eleanor. But how can I believe you when not a minute later I was slapped with this Will of my father? Is it even his? Because as far as I can see, it's dated 23 years ago. Which newlywed couple makes a Will, Eleanor? Especially of my father kind, who didn't bother to give a penny to Perla" James asked with a calm composure as he placed the testament back in the envelope.

"How would I know! You are holding it so it must be real. But no, you have to doubt everything James. It's in your nature. It stuck in your craw that your father loved me enough to leave his property to me", Eleanor said haughtily with her nose in the air.

"Again, with the love track Eleanor? It's hard to imagine my father as a love-sick puppy. You should have used some other ploy", James sneered at her one-track explanation and slowly advanced over her. In turn, Eleanor started to backtrack each step.

"This is not a ploy. Nor this a joke, James. It's about my life. My house!", Eleanor raised her voice in frustration that James is not taking her seriously.

"Uh...uh...again with my house, I see", James berated her. Unbeknownst to Eleanor, she had crossed the door and was standing outside James's room, her voice carrying all over the hallway.

"Yes, James. We will see. In court. When I show this Will to the judge, he will agree too and then you won't have any choice but to give what I ask for!", Eleanor said, getting worked up over his leisurely countenance.

"Is that what you want Eleanor? You want to take this to the court?" James asked poker-faced as he held the door.

"Why wouldn't I?" Eleanor scowled.

"Well then, see you in court, stepmother", James said and slammed the door on her face.

Eleanor stood stunned in the hallway for a minute. He...slammed the door...on her face! Her face! His arrogance has no bounds!

Eleanor thought to herself, Jacqueline is right to bring him to heel. And she will be standing in line to applaud when that happens.

She swiftly exited the hotel and called Jacqueline.

"I met James", Eleanor said once Jacqueline picked the phone.

"And? Did he take the bait?"

"I...I don't know. Or I don't think so", Eleanor said doubtingly.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Jacqueline shouted through the phone.

"That's exactly what I mean! I don't know. James is like a closed book. Yes, he growls, but no one can say what's running in his head", Eleanor tried to explain her side.

"I didn't send you there to be his shrink. You should have observed something. A slight twitch or some annoyance on his face", Jacqueline queried unsatisfied with Eleanor.

"Just as you said, I'm not a shrink to observe all that", Eleanor snapped.

"You both mother and daughter are dumber than dumble-dee and dumble dum", Jacqueline snapped at her.

"Careful Jacqueline. Just because I'm doing as you say doesn't give you a right to snap at me. I could easily walk away", Eleanor said with a false bravado that came from the experience of running in rich crowds.

"Likewise, Eleanor. Likewise," Jacqueline simpered.

"Send the copy of the Will to me. I will approach my lawyer with it", Eleanor sighed. It's no use fighting between themselves. They are here to take down James, not each other.

"Already did. Until then...Eleanor", Jacqueline cut the call before she could reply.

Eleanor's expression darkened with displeasure. Rich people and their offhanded way of treating others beneath them. She thought, James and Jacqueline, are not too different in that department.

On the other side of the door, James made himself busy with a call to his chief lawyer.

"Luke"

"Mr. McKenzie, you said a week", Luke answered, panicking that he is getting fired.

"This matter is not concerned with that. I need you to work on that ASAP. However, I want one of your lawyers to look into this testament. I faxed it to your office", James said calmly as he picked up the glass he left before.

"Testament sir?" Luke asked, confused.

"Jacqueline is trying to play lawyer Luke. And I don't want to disappoint her. Test it. It would obviously be a fake one. I want the proof that it's a fake faxed to me", James said as he decoded the cunningness of his estranged wife.

"I will put one of my best lawyers on it, sir. You will get the papers by tomorrow morning", Luke said ready to please him and be in his good graces, as the other work he asked for has not been finished yet.
"No need to rush, Luke", James leaned on the chair and said relaxedly.

"But sir-" Luke tried to question him. However, James interrupted and said,
"I want to see what's her end game is"

"I don't understand sir"

"Jacqueline knows I will test his Will. Then why is she using it? I'm missing something, Luke. She wouldn't have bothered with it unless she is hiding something or waiting for something. I have to find out what it is. For now, I will play by her rules. Let her think we are complying", James said with the corners of his mouth quirked up.

"Sir, it may be dangerous. Letting her play is like putting your life in her hands. As your lawyer, I wouldn't suggest it, sir. I'm almost there. We could end all of this within a few days, sir. Don't take any chances until then", Luke tried to reason with him. Luke thought to himself that giving advice to James McKenzie is like barking at the tree.

"She started the game, Luke. I'm just a player. But I aim to win. For now, you worry about doing my work. I can take care of myself", James said as he took a sip from the glass.

"That's what I'm afraid about sir", Luke tried to caution him but in vain.

"Even at the threat of firing you, you concern me, Luke. You are a true friend or shall I say a true lawyer", James snickered knowing beforehand what his lawyer will say.

"I would say the second one sir", Luke didn't disappoint his boss.

"Finish the work and send it to me", James said in a serious tone.

"As you wish Mr. McKenzie", Luke responded in a similar tone. When you work for the rich, you need to follow their mood swings, was his thought.

Meanwhile, David waited patiently near his chair until James cut the call.

Once he is done, David said, "I couldn't find Tank Mr. McKenzie"