Chapter 82

James POV

James could have answered back to the officer if not for the look in Bella's eyes. Her dazed look troubled him. It made him grasp the vast hole that is separating them. And it is increasing rapidly.

If not for stressing over Bella's condition, James himself would have known about the photos that made this ruckus. He would have done something about it before it caught fire... snubbed it in the root itself.

James blamed himself for this misshape. He should have known Jacqueline would not accept his decision without any retaliation. But then his mind was occupied with Bella... and how the knowledge of his marriage has affected her.

James's regret has no bounds. He had promised Bella that he would never hurt her... yet he is the reason behind her tears. Those tears disturb him. It bothered him... made him feel guilty.
Bella's words pierced his consciousness.

Have you felt guilty James?

James is not ready to accept that he has done wrong. Because, if so then he must also have to accept the fact that he is not good for Bella... not right for her. Which means leaving her for her own good as her father said. James would die before leaving Bella forever. Hence, James shoved the disturbing thought of guilt to the back of his mind.

James then scans the group that is standing in front of Bella in a protective circle. Looking at the family shield that is covering Bella, James felt a slight pain in his chest. This... is what a family should be.

Dwelling on his lack of family will not do him any good now. It's time to set a few things straight, starting with the media that is loitering outside.

James exited Bella's parents' home and stood before the media, his temper rising as they continued to click once again.

How do they find out about them? What photos are they talking about? Who leaked them...is it his ex? James tucked these questions back in his mind.

For now, he must scatter this crowd. How dare they target one of his own? Don't they know who they are trifling with?

The media thought instead of targeting him, they would go for the smaller fish. But they are deeply mistaken if they considered him to be relieved for not getting slandered. No... if they had targeted him, he could have dusted it away and moved on. But no, they have zeroed on his heart. For that, they have to pay.

"I'm telling you all only once. Whoever has given the tip, they don't know what's coming for them. But you know. If you love your jobs... then delete everything you just recorded now", James said as he coolly tucked his cuff links back in place.

"Are you threatening the media, Mr. McKenzie?", a female reporter with a sterner expression questioned angrily

"Oh no. I'm not threatening. I'm giving you all a fair warning. How much would you earn from this? I would double the amount", James said as he looked into the eyes of each reporter making them understand the significance of it.

"Do you believe Mr. McKenzie that we will let this recording go to waste for some money?" Another female reporter asked him while devouring him with her eyes

"Triple", James casually upped the number not missing a beat.

"Not everyone is after money, Mr. McKenzie", the older reporter replied though his face looked thoughtful.

"Quadruple", James said knowing at what price these people will surrender.

"But what about our seniors? They will be expecting some kind of footage", the guy who smirked at him earlier asked with a frown. If James had his way, then he would be worrying about his job instead of the footage.

However, this is not the right time. Nor the right people. They are merely pawns in the game. He shouldn't waste his energy on them. Nevertheless, he is no fool to make enemies out of the media either. He should entice them with a nice little package and be done with the crew.

"How about four times the amount and your senior's place?" James reeled them with what they craved most. An authoritative place that doesn't need running around in the sun to cover a story.
"Wow!" The leery guy was the first to drop the pen first

"Are you serious?" The female reporter who was batting her eyelashes at him asked with greed
"Can it be true?", another said with wonder in his eyes

"How can we believe you?" The other female reporter who appeared more stubborn than others raised the doubt

"You won't doubt James McKenzie. If he says he will do it then he will", the old reporter said sternly to the twitchy-eyed reporter.

"Then it is settled. By the end of the day, you will be sitting on your senior's chair. However, I need you to delete all the contents of your recordings", James said, wrapping the matter.

The reporters swiftly did as ask of them, each one very happy to do so. They came to cover another regular story, surprising the unsuspecting female. Instead, they are the ones who got surprised.

"David!" James called his temporary security head who was lurking at the corner of the crowd
James angrily said, "send one of the security members to make sure they have done as ordered. Note down their details and forward them to Brittany. She will handle it. And David, make him know to check their belongings, including their person, thoroughly before letting them go."

David recognized the anger that is directed at him, wisely thought to keep quiet and do what's asked of him. "Yes, Mr. McKenzie", he nodded, not meeting his eyes.

Once the matter was settled, James stepped in the back seat of his car and let David drive him to his office.

He dialed his friend, Max, the media mogul, and discussed the situation.

"You seem to be in the news so much lately. What's the matter, James? Are you courting trouble or is it following you like a lost puppy?" Max drawled leisurely

"Neither, Max. It has something to do with someone I hate most", James said, gritting his teeth at the thought of Jacqueline. She is the only one who has the means and motive to do this.

"Ah... vendetta. Well, my friend, as always, I'm at your service. What can I do for you?" Max asked delightedly to dish out some justice. He only knew what his friend had gone through at the hands of his ex.

"I need you to tarnish my ex-wife's name. I will fax you the photos you need for that. She tried to hurt my Bella. I want her to suffer ten times more. Don't hold anything back. The photos of Bella and me that have been spread since morning must be lost in this oncoming tsunami. Can you do that Max?" James asked as he thought about sending the photos of Jacqueline with her many lovers during the span of their marriage.

Max will know how well to use them. He doesn't have to worry about that.
Max thought about the opportunity his friend presented to him. With the news being the hot topic, it would be sold faster than hotcakes.

"Don't sweat over it. I would take over from here. After all, this is my area of expertise. You just send the evidence, lay back, and watch the show", Max said with confidence only his position can deliver.

"Thanks, Max. I owe you one once again. We need to sort it out one day soon", James said feeling lighthearted.

"Who knows, maybe it will come sooner than expected", Max casually said.

Once James cut the call, his ambiance changed. He directed his gaze at the person driving the car.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Looking for a threat is your duty, David. And don't you think a mob of media as a threat?", James barked at his chief head of the security

"I'm... I'm sorry sir", David said with his eyes on the road. He thought his boss had forgotten about it in all the mess. Alas, no such luck.

James never felt the loss of Tank, like he felt at that moment. If he was here then this wouldn't have happened. Tank always has a way to sense the disaster. He would have steered him clear of it. If only the accident hadn't happened. Instead of lingering on the if- only's James changed the topic and asked David about his ex.

"Are you keeping track of Jacqueline? Where is she now?" James asked as he thought of exacting his revenge from her. Once he gets his hands around her neck (metaphorically), then he will show her what happens to the person who tries to hurt his people.

"About that sir-" David trailed off, not ready to face another scolding. However, it's his job to report it.

"She is MIA sir. We can't find her", David weekly mumbled.

"What do you mean MIA! I want to know where the fuck is my ex!", James said as he clenched his fists harder.

"Umm... sir", David stammered, as sweat gathered under his arms.

"I need answers David", James asked with a muscle ticking in his jaw.

"We are not sure how she escaped our surveillance but we couldn't track her anymore", David informed, sweat trickling his brow

"Are you saying my amateur ex has bested my well-trained security team? Aren't you ashamed before informing that", James bombarded not in the mood to hear another failure of his security team? Without Tank, they are collapsing like a pile of cards everywhere.

"We are sorry sir. We all were concentrating on you after last night. She might have taken the chance of our negligence then", David tried to reason.

"Don't give me excuses David. I specifically said to put a separate guy to tail her. What happened to him?"

"Umm... sir... we can't... we can't find him", David informed, not liking his duty so far. Other than saying sorry and hearing his boss's scoldings it's not much of a right.

"Has something happened to him?" James asked, leaning forward, concerned about his team. Not another guy.

"No... we think... he might have... taken the money your ex provided", David said his mouth set in a hardline.
"Motherfucker!"

"I'm sorry sir", David repeated as he quickly peeped at his boss through the mirror.

"Will your sorry undo the damage, David? I want results. Track her cards. I'm sure she must have used it somewhere before it got cut off. Trace the last location and find out if any flights were there during that time. Check her phone record. We can pinpoint her location with that.
Without money, she couldn't go far. We need to search for her", James said swiftly, thinking like a businessman.

"Yes sir. But will she use her name on the flight? I mean she must have known we will be searching for her. She would use other means", David said, proud of his thinking.

"You are right. At this time, I couldn't put anything past her. Better check CCTV footage of the airport. We may find some clue of her whereabouts. I want her behind the bars for the stunt she pulled. She misunderstood my kindness to incompetence. Never again. Jacqueline Hughes tried to play with fire. It's time to show her that the fire can burn her. Wherever she is... no matter what rock she hides in... I want her in front of me. She will pay. She will pay for every tear my Bella shed. I won't let her rest until she gets caught", James said looking outside through the car window, forgetting that he was talking to his bodyguard.

You messed with the wrong person Jacqueline Hughes. I will hunt you down like a snake you are.