Chapter 85

James POV

James' heart thudded in his chest, though outwardly he didn't show any emotion.

"Well?" Anna prompted hoping to get some reaction as she bit into her lower lip.

"If you are expecting something out of this tidbit then you will be deeply disappointed Anna", James said with a cold gaze.

"But... but...this is important", Anna stuttered as she wiped her brow.

"No Anna, it doesn't change anything. I already knew Perla hugely lacked the qualities of a mother. So, learning that she is not my mother doesn't mean much", James shrugged his answer, minimizing the importance of it

"What do you mean it doesn't mean much?" Anna questioned in a raised voice that carried over the hallway making the bystanders look at them curiously.

"It means that you are getting arrested", James replied

"But... but you promised. You said-" She trailed off with a hint of consternation

"I said I won't hand you to the police. But I didn't say I won't hand the evidence to them", James said casually checking his watch.

"You liar! You are twisting the words. They both are one and the same", Anna said blazingly as she tried to grab his coat. James, expecting her to move swiftly clasped her hands.

"No Anna. They are not. Words, dear stepsister, matters. You should have phrased your promise properly. I'm keeping my word here. I won't hand you to the police. They are coming here to collect you by themselves", James said with a glint in his eye.

"No! No! Please, James. I said as promised. I gave you the information. Let me go. I would never involve in your matter again. I swear. In fact, you don't have to see my face again. I will shift to the other side of the world. Please, James. Don't let them take me", Anna begged, uncaring about the spectacle she was making.

James slowly inched towards her, his face getting closer to her as he angrily said,
"You should have thought about that before messing with me. I gave you and your mother many chances. Not anymore. Have a nice stay behind the bars. Perhaps, you will get better when you got released."

Realizing that she is trapped and has no way out, Anna's demeanor changed. She sneered at him in vehemence and stepped back from him releasing his hold forcefully.

"You bastard! I should never have believed you. You and Jacqueline are cut from the same cloth. You both deserve each other. You may have moved me out of your way easily but Jacqueline is not dumb as me. Remember James, she will make you sweat... she will make you pay. And oh boy, I wish I could see that", she laughed and the sound was brittle as dried leaves

Before he could reply to that retort David reached them with the police in tow. Anna's bravado went out of the window looking at the entourage.

"Please James. I'm sorry I screwed up but please give me one last chance", Anna squirmed ready to make a run for it if given the chance.

However, before she could take a step back the security and the female police officers were on her, grabbing her arms on both sides and holding her firmly.

"James... James... This is unfair. We are family. Please, ask them to let me go", Anna struggled to release their grip.

"Too bad Anna. You should have thought that before you lit the fire. Now burn in it", James said as his parting shot and walked away from her with David following behind him.

The sky has turned into a deep orange hue, grey clouds drifting by like stained silken brocade as the jet touched the runway.

It's been two days since the incident. He could have sent David to handle Anna. It wouldn't have changed the output. However, he couldn't stay in the city without thinking about Bella and how in pain she is.

He has to do something to take his mind off it. Or else, his control may slip and he might visit her, disrupting her world once again. After all, he is human.

He is tired, exhausted with the round trip he has taken. His body took a toll and is evident to the onlookers. But he couldn't rest... I couldn't sleep. He felt deep unrest within himself.

He should sleep, give his body to rejuvenate however, he needs to tie this one loose end.
"Any news on Jacqueline?" James asked David while on the drive. David internally sighed and prepared himself for the scolding he will get as he related,

"I'm sorry sir. She is hard to track. She must have guessed our steps beforehand. We traced her phone to the airport. That's it. After that, she vanished. There is no footage on the airport's CCTV. She might have used some kind of disguise. We were unable to identify her. All her cards have been canceled. We even searched her call data. She hasn't contacted anyone important. I believe she is anticipating our every move. She may still be in the city"

"Or she may have hired a rental and moved to another city and from there booked a flight. Fuck! She could be anywhere", James punched his fist on the armrest in the car, feeling upset.

"I'm... I'm sorry sir", David said as he clutched the steering wheel tighter, feeling useless.

James waved his hand in front of him and said, "she might be hard to track but I know her nature. She will resurface if not for nothing but to spite and show me that she can. She couldn't resist herself gloating that she has upped me. We will wait for her then. Let her have her moment. It won't be for long"

David felt relieved that he was spared from disappointing his boss yet again, made himself small, and concentrated on his driving.

"Drive to Perla's house", James said as he looked outside the window not seeing a thing, his mind recounting what Anna relayed.

Should he believe her? After all, it was said in desperation. A person can conjure any lie to save themselves. And Anna is no different. Perhaps, she spouted that lie believing he will spare her or... there may be a grain of truth in what she said.

He wouldn't know until he found out by himself. What will he do if Perla is not his mother? Before he could ponder on it some more the car came to a halt.

Perla has no knowledge of what ruckus those photos did to James's life. She was just happy to see the back of Jacqueline and content that her secret is still that... a secret.

James barged inside her house without any preamble making her scamper into a sitting position and haphazardly hide the drugs that are present on the table.

"Ja... James!" Perla panicked as she tried to cover the drugs, sweat forming on her forehead.
James, who had expected such an invitation, didn't bat an eyelash at her discomfort.

"Perla, do you have anything to say to me?" James asked, standing before her with his hands in his pants pockets looking regal.

"I... I... what do you mean? What are you talking about? I haven't done anything", Perla said darting her eyes.

"This is the one and only chance I'm giving to you to come to clear Perla", James said, folding his arms and standing taller.

"I... I... I have no idea what you are talking about James", Perla fidgeted as she wiped her brow. But internally her heart hammered inside her chest sensing the impending doom.

"Very well. So be it. You have made your choice Perla. Now I will handle the matter in my fashion. David brings the police in", James raised his voice without removing his gaze from Perla.

"Police! What... why? What have I done?" Perla backed from him as she scanned the room to hide her goods.

"For taking photos of me and Bella. For taking sides with Jacqueline. Or how about this, for stalking me?" James said cocking his head

"Stalking! It was not me. It was my boyfriend. I wouldn't have followed Jacqueline if not for her blackmailing me", Perla blurted out not realizing that she had admitted to Jacqueline's compliance and is as much guilty.

"I don't care about the specific Perla. I gave you money, a house, yet you had to bite the hand that feeds you. I'm done raising snakes in my backyard. Now rot in the jail", James said as he turned to leave her in the hands of the police.

"You don't mean it. I'm your mother! How could you send your own mother to jail?" Perla shouted swiftly, covering the distance between them and grabbing his sleeve.

"Is this right Perla? Are you really my mother?" James asked looking into her eyes
Perla sucked her breath at his question and ducked her head. James found his answer in her reaction.

"Who is my mother, Perla?" James asked calmly though internally he felt anything but
"Me... of course it is me", Perla replied not meeting his eyes.

"You may have a chance of less punishment if you cooperate. I'm asking one more time. Who is my mother?" James repeated searching her eyes for the truth

"James-" Perla dropped her hold on him as she trailed off

"No bullshit Perla. Tell me now"

"I... I... ask Agatha", Perla finally slipped.

James's body became unnaturally rigid, his breath still as he questioned slowly,

"Agatha?" He questioned with a frown. What does Agatha have to do with anything? James’s thought

"Yes... Agatha. She knows everything", Perla replied with triumph ringing in her voice looking at his agony.

"You lie", James grabbed her by her arms as he looked fiercely at her. What she says can't be possible. If it is the truth then it means... it means Agatha knew all along, James thought to himself.

"Do I? What will I gain by lying to you now? I'm already trapped. And if I lie, Agatha will not hesitate to point out. Care to wager on it?" Perla asked with a satisfied smirk on her face
"I won't believe you", James said as a fire blazed inside him.

Perla gave a high-pitched cackling laugh and said, "deny all you want James. But you can't change the truth"

James, unable to look at her any longer, called David to enter with the police. Perla realizing that her fate has been sealed the moment James entered her house didn't put up much fight and went docility with the police. But not before glaring at her adopted son.