Chapter 83

James POV

"I will be on it, Mr. McKenzie", David said earnestly to get back into the good graces of his boss.
James's mind is still stuck on the morning events and he doubted any work can be done in his current mood.

"Drive home", James ordered absentmindedly, not realizing the fact that he just called his house, "home". If he was in the right mindset, he wouldn't have admitted it. Because for him it will always be a few sets of walls. His home is with Bella.

"Yes sir." David steered the wheel left, changing the route.

Instead of dwelling on the slip-up, James thought about his ex. How could she pull this stunt? Something is not adding up. Anyways, since he cut the money, she will surface again...soon. Very soon. Once the money dwindles, she has to.

If only her father has not thought to trifle with him. James may have entered this marriage in good faith... but when the blindfold was ripped, he tackled the one who is responsible for creating this mess in his fashion.

Five years ago

"You bastard! You targeted my company on purpose", Devin Hughes bellowed, barging into his office as he slammed the eviction papers on James's desk.

If people can see his posture, they would be shocked. Long gone the person who has an arrogant smirk on his face... the ruthless, cold eyes. In their place lay eyes that saw devastation and hopelessness. He looked like his true age now with his clothes wrinkled, his white hair messy as if he has run through it many times.

"What's the matter, Devin? Is that any way to talk to your son-in-law?" James sarcastically asked, his eyes hiding the anger he felt inside as he scanned the person before him. James felt nothing in his heart for this man.

"What's the matter! What's the matter! You destroyed my company. That's the matter. How could you? Don't forget that I was the reason you were able to sit on that chair. I was the person who supported you when there was not a single person who would give you the time of their day. And you repay my kindness through this? By bankrupting my company!" Devin slammed both of his hands on the desk and glared at James with squint eyes.

James in return slammed his right hand on the desk and said,

"Be happy that I only went after your company Devin. After what you made of my life, I could have easily thrown you behind the bars"

"How dare you, boy? I think you forgot the day you came into my office begging for money", Devin said as he pointed his finger at him.

"How could I Devin? Each moment of that dreadful day is etched in my mind. You played your cards right. You dangled the fruit in front of me and I, like a puppet, fell for it. You had the arrogance of power that day. Now it's my turn to hold that power in my hand and your turn to beg for the money, Devin. Let's see how well you do it", James said with a smirk.

"Beg! In front of you? You asshole. I should have known once you learned about Jacqueline, you would backstab me. Don't forget James McKenzie, this hubristic belief of power you are happy to wield came because of me. I was the one who made you", Devin glowered in resentment.
"No, Devin. It's my ability that made me what I'm. My intelligence... my hard work. Don't take credit for the things you have no hand in", James responded with a hateful stare at him.

"Everything you said wouldn't have been possible if not for my money, James McKenzie", Devin clenched his fists as he boiled inside in anger.

"And I'm repaying it with 15 years of my life, Devin. So don't behave as if you have done me any favors. We both know I was the one who got the wrong end of the stick"

Devin chose to ignore that statement and said, "then you must have done your best to compromise with the situation. Not to throw tantrums and destroy everything like a child"
"Very well said, Devin. Those are the exact words I was about to advise you. Stop throwing tantrums and adjust to your new circumstances", James leaned back on his swiveling chair and clasped his hands in front of him.

"You-"

James cut him off mid-swear and said,

"Uh...uh...uh. You don't want to anger me once again Devin. I still have the evidence that can put you behind the bars. Unlike you Devin, I did the homework on you. I know what means you have used to gain that power and what extreme you went to hold it. Unfortunately, you never saw me coming behind your back"

"That's my mistake boy. I thought my daughter would keep you in line", Devin stated his eyes throwing daggers.

James gave a sarcastic laugh that is far from funny. "Your daughter is too busy cuddling her latest lover to concern herself with me. Good for her. As long as she stays away, I don't give a fuck what she does. Alas, I couldn't say the same about you. You, Devin, put more faith in your daughter. You thought she would report every detail about me. You knew about her. You should have guessed that your daughter cares only about herself. That simple mistake cost you your fortune", James said with mock sympathy.

"My empire... my fortune... all my money... gone. Because of you. This is not over James
McKenzie. I will get back at you for this", Devin said as he pointed his finger at James.

"You already did Devin. I'm still paying the price of my ignorance", James said with resentment swirling in his eyes.

"Good! And you will pay until the last day of that agreement. As you said, I know my daughter well. She won't leave a golden goose willingly. She will cling to you until the last minute", Devin said with a satisfied smile. Even though he has lost... he couldn't be happy but see James McKenzie squirming like a worm on the fishing hook.

James's neck got hot as he controlled his anger. Thinking about the years before him shackled in chains made him see red.

"Get out!" James shouted as he lost his calm.

It's Devin who threw a smirk at the other guy. "My suffering is nothing before you. I was able to come from scratch once and I will do it again. But you... you are locked in this right barrel with no escape. I will make sure of that", Devin laughed as he made his exit.

Present-day

James came back from his memories as David parked the car before the front door. He mindlessly entered the house, as he remembered the past.

Not soon after that outburst of Devin Hughes, he got bedridden and died after a year. He never got to fulfill the word of accumulating his fortune once again.

When Jacqueline learned about her father's death, she didn't disappoint James' expectations. As per her personality, she just shrugged her shoulders and went on with her life. Why would she? James with tact thought beforehand and erased all the evidence that pointed out the fact that he was the one who was behind her father's company's destruction.

What affected her more than the news of her father is her inheritance or the lack of it. She was made to believe that her father squandered the money leaving her penniless. She spewed... sworn all kinds of profanity at her dead father before she accepted her situation.

However, it hasn't changed her lifestyle or her personality to be in good graces with her husband. No. Jacqueline still enjoyed her life with no care about the money. Only, this time the money she spent came from James's pocket.

His thoughts got interrupted when he heard the ringing of his mobile. It was Brittany.
"Mr. McKenzie, we have a problem. I don't know how to tell you. Could you please come to the office?", Brittany stuttered which is unlike her

"Brittany, if you are hesitating about informing me on those leaked photos then don't. I came to know about them. The media caught us off-guard at Bella's parent's house", James said as he pinched his nose thinking about the stunning look on Bella.

"I'm sorry Mr. McKenzie. I should have stopped from letting it happen", Brittany said regret ringing in her voice.

"How would you know something like this will happen Brittany? It's not your job to do it", James said, understanding her guilt. Guilt. An emotion that he is getting well acquainted with.

Have you felt guilty James?

"Yes, but it was the PR team's duty to alert you in such circumstances. If only I had monitored that team, this wouldn't have occurred. You wouldn't have blindsided by their presence. We could have prepared you. Somehow, I feel responsible Mr. McKenzie", Brittany's apologetic tone brings him back from his thoughts.

"It's not your fault, Brittany. Someone deliberately orchestrated this whole frenzy. I need to know how the fuck does media got the whiff of this! I'm sure it is Jacqueline but I want whom she contacted. I will crush that bastard no matter what", James shared the thoughts he previously doubted about.

"Will get it by today sir", Brittany as she calmed a bit and noted down her boss's orders.

"I want all the news feeds on Bella to be deleted immediately. Those sites, news channels, newspapers every fucking thing. Not a single word must be printed about Bella. All those photos of her and me must be taken down. I will check in an hour", James informed as he loosened his tie and removed his jacket.

"Yes sir", Brittany said, not batting an eyelash at his demand.

"Also, one of the bodyguards will forward the details of some of the media to you. I want you to take care of them. He will hash out the details I promised to them. Get it done by today", James continued.

Brittany sighed internally and thought, no matter how much experience she got juggling the work, working under her boss, she still has to learn more.

"Will be on it sir", Brittany said coolly not showing any of her thoughts in her tone.
"Any news on Tank. How is he?" James asked as he thought of his bodyguard