Chapter 39

Chapter 39

I couldn't help but roll my eyes hard in my mind.

This James was just too awful!

I wanted nothing more than to rush up and slap him hard across the face a couple of times to humiliate him!

But then I thought about it—our relationship wasn't like it used to be anymore.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to squeeze out a pleasing smile, softening my voice, "So what would it take for you to let me find a job? No matter what, I need to cover Mom's medical bills. For Mom's sake, can't you just let me off the hook?"

The words sounded nice, but inside I felt a wave of disgust.

James's eyes swept over my face lightly, his disdain completely unconcealed.

"No."

I lowered my eyes, trying hard not to feel so disappointed.

After all, James refusing was within my expectations, wasn't it?

He hated me so much now—how could he possibly grant my wish?

Lost in my disappointment, I didn't notice the flash of heartache in James's eyes.

After realizing he felt sorry for me, a mocking feeling rose in his heart.

James, oh James, you really forget the pain once the wound heals!

Keeping me by his side now wasn't to cherish me!

With this thought, James's gaze turned cold again, and he spoke expressionlessly, "You can work for me. I'll pay you a salary."

I wanted to refuse at first, but thinking of Mom lying in the hospital bed, her medical bills were still a problem. That ungrateful Henry took a hundred million dollars but still wouldn't pay for Mom's medical expenses.

I didn't want to worry about this anymore. I couldn't find work outside anyway, and if James was willing to pay me, I might as well work for him.

So I asked, "How much will you pay me, James? Are we talking monthly?"

Hearing my words, James's eyes showed undisguised mockery.

"You really are a money-hungry woman. Your eyes light up the moment you hear about money."

His words made my heart ache.

But James wasn't wrong.

I really needed money now, and indeed, my eyes lit up at the mention of it.

I forced out a smile.

"You're quite the joker. Who in this world doesn't like money? Food, clothing, shelter, transportation—as long as you're alive, which of these doesn't cost money?"

Not to mention, Mom's medical bills weighed on my heart like a mountain, making even breathing feel tight.

Unexpectedly, James's expression grew even darker.

He sneered, "Food, clothing, shelter, transportation? Which of those have you paid for?"

My heart skipped a beat.

I was just making casual conversation, finding an excuse for needing a job. How could he take it seriously?

Besides, I needed even more money, more urgently.

Mom's health couldn't wait at all.

Meeting James's mocking gaze, I smiled awkwardly, "James, let's just talk about the salary."

James snorted coldly, "First come with me to a banquet."

"Do I get an appearance fee?"

The words almost slipped out.

The atmosphere around James grew even colder. He looked at me coolly, "You want an appearance fee? Your makeup, styling, and clothes—don't those all cost money?"

I was stunned. This could be charged to me too?

I couldn't help saying, "These are all for the effect you need, not what I need. Of course you should pay for them. And since you're the one requiring my appearance, of course it should cost money."

James's gaze darkened.

He stared at me intently, like an invisible hand gripping my throat.

My palms were already sweating, but I could only pretend to stay calm and continue, "Clear pricing—that's how business should be fair."

"Business?"

James tilted his head, staring at me with a strange tone.

I was really going to drive him crazy!

Did I really think there was only business left between us?

But I clearly didn't understand what James meant. I was afraid he'd go back on what he just said and not pay me.

So I nodded seriously and earnestly, "Haven't you been constantly reminding me that I'm just a decoration you bought for a hundred million dollars? Isn't that business? Since it's business, clear pricing is reasonable, don't you think?"

As I said this, I felt my heart bleeding.

Facing the person I loved, saying such cold and distant words, one by one.

This was what James wanted to see, and I was trying hard to do it.

From now on, everything between us would be business.

Clear pricing, and I wouldn't be sad anymore.

I told myself this, trying hard to squeeze out a bright smile.

But for some reason, as James looked at me, his expression grew worse and worse.

"Fine, business!"

James's words were almost squeezed through his teeth. He stared at me coldly, "A hundred thousand dollars per hour. The banquet will be about three hours."

He pulled out his phone.

A moment later, my phone rang.

I opened it—three hundred thousand dollars deposited.

Even though the money was already in hand, my hands couldn't stop trembling, almost unable to hold the phone steady.

I'd told myself over and over that we could never go back to the past.

But seeing the money James transferred, my heart still hurt terribly.

In James's heart, was there really only business left between us?

Otherwise, knowing James as I did, he would have lost it by now—how could he actually give me the money?

I pulled at the corner of my mouth mockingly.

Anna, oh Anna, what are you still hoping for?

Three hundred thousand dollars was an extremely large amount for me.

But James didn't even blink before giving it to me.

He was too decisive—I couldn't even deceive myself if I wanted to.

I forced myself to suppress the overwhelming sadness inside and put on a smile, waving my phone at James, "Got it. Thanks. When do we start?"

James said expressionlessly, "The banquet is at six in the evening. Someone will come at three to prepare you."

With that, he turned and slammed the door as he left.

He was extremely angry—the door slam was so loud it startled me.

I stared blankly at the closed door until the footsteps outside completely disappeared, then I collapsed onto the floor, lost and dejected.

The cold sensation beneath me froze my heart with desolation.

That's right.

From the moment James went to the Andrew family and bought me back for a hundred million dollars, all that was left between us was business. What was there to hope for?

The room was too quiet.

So quiet that the sound of my heart breaking was deafening.

Sweet memories surged uncontrollably in my mind, and with each scene that appeared, my heart stabbed with pain.

First a hundred million dollars, then three hundred thousand dollars.

James was so generous!

I gripped my phone tightly, my knuckles turning a pale white from the force.

I don't know how long I sat on the floor before crawling onto the bed like a walking corpse, falling asleep in a daze.

I didn't want to remember the past anymore. It was better to sleep.

At least when I was asleep, I wouldn't be sad.

I don't know how long I slept.

Victoria woke me up, saying the people who would prepare me for the banquet had arrived.

Only then did I get out of bed, wash up briefly, and follow Victoria downstairs.