Chapter 140: Show No Mercy to James
She didn’t wait for James to respond and immediately threw out her conditions.
“First, the money my dad owes you—I will pay it back. On the day I finish paying, you must unconditionally divorce me.”
“Second, you must not interfere with my work or restrict my personal freedom. Third, I won’t fulfill any marital duties, nor will I care how many women you see outside, as long as you don’t bring them home.”
“Any violation of any one of these terms will be treated according to the first condition.”
James looked at Mia, who clearly had thought this through on the way here.
He was forcing her back to his side.
But she was equally determined to distance herself from him and refused any intimate contact.
Yet, he loved her—how could he resist getting close to her?
“I can agree not to interfere with your work, but you have to leave Benjamin’s company. I can arrange something for you…”
“I refuse. I’ve said it before—this job means more to me than my life.”
Mia cut him off, her gaze cold.
He would never understand what this job meant to her.
While he trampled on her dignity at will, it was Benjamin who gave her this job, giving her a chance to pick up her dignity again.
James lost the battle against Mia’s persistence and took a step back.
He didn’t dare push her too hard.
Even though he knew Mia’s character wouldn’t make her give up easily, he still wouldn’t take the risk.
“Fine, you can keep working at Benjamin’s company, but… you are absolutely not allowed to have any intimate contact with him or any other men. Of course, I will do the same.”
Mia caught the implication in his words, just biting her lip slightly without saying more.
She expressed her agreement with silence.
She never flirted with other men—not like him.
As for him, he was already stained.
One or many—it made no difference to her, and she didn’t care.
“Also—you must fulfill your marital duties.”
James spoke again.
When Mia heard him demand marital duties, she reacted fiercely and refused: “I don’t agree!”
She couldn’t accept being intimate with him again.
“James, I told you I don’t mind if you see Amelia or other women…”
He wanted to satisfy his physical needs, to see as many as he wanted, as long as he didn’t touch her.
James looked at the Mia who once cared so much about his flirting with other women.
Now, to keep him from touching her, she could say again and again that he should go find other women.
How could he possibly go to others?
The incident with Yiyan was just an accident.
But seeing Mia’s disgusted eyes, no explanation for that night would do any good.
“Mia, this is my bottom line. Don’t forget what I said.”
Their eyes met again in the air.
Neither gave an inch.
His words from before echoed in his mind, and Mia clenched her fists tightly.
After a moment, she relaxed her hand.
This time, Mia compromised.
After all, she had already been bitten by the dog once last night; no matter how many more times, it was the same.
“Fine.”
Unable to change it, Mia said decisively.
After settling the matter, she picked up her bag and stood up.
“Have your lawyer prepare the agreement by tomorrow. I’ll make time to come sign it at noon.”
“Where are you going?”
James reached out to grab her.
Hadn’t she agreed not to divorce and come back to him?
“The agreement hasn’t been signed yet. I’m still free. The less time I spend in the same space with you, even a second less, the more precious it is to me!”
Mia said coldly, shaking off James’s hand and turning to leave.
With a bang, she slammed the door.
The large house was left with only James.
He smelled the faint scent in the air.
Her presence was back in the house again.
James slowly stood and sat down where Mia had just been sitting.
His palm touched the spot, still warm from her.
His big hand caressed it tenderly.
A home without Mia was truly empty and unbearably hard.
Every day was self-torture.
He couldn’t bear not coming home; the house was full of memories of him and Mia.
But every night when he returned, he could clearly feel Mia’s scent fading.
Once she left him, she would drift farther away and eventually belong to another man.
He would rather keep her by his side than watch her belong to someone else.
Even if they hurt each other like two hedgehogs, as long as she was near, he could still feel her warmth.
He still had a chance to turn her back into the Mia who relied on him and smiled sweetly at him every day.
Once she belonged to another, he would have no chance.
James sat quietly until Mia’s scent in the air faded again, then leaned forward to pick up his phone and dialed a number.
“Carl, help me find out why Zaid suddenly started trading stocks recently…”
The next day at noon, Mia appeared punctually at The Smith Group.
Robert was waiting at the door early.
Seeing her, he immediately greeted her respectfully, “Mrs. Smith.”
Mia’s expression was cold. “Where is James?”
“Mr. Smith is waiting for you in his office.”
Mia said nothing more and followed him inside.
Robert’s attitude toward Mia reflected James’s attitude.
From the moment she stepped through the company door, all employees of The Smith Group greeted Mia respectfully.
Before, Mia would have politely responded, but today, she kept a cold face the entire time.
She didn’t care what others said behind her back.
Before, she loved James and didn’t want to embarrass him.
Now, what others said was none of her business.
Soon, the elevator reached the 32nd floor.
Robert escorted Mia to James’s office door, opened it for her, watched her walk in, then closed the door.
“Let’s eat first.”
James sat at the small dining table by the floor-to-ceiling window, with two meals in front of him.
He was opening them when Mia glanced over and saw the food was from a restaurant she liked, with dishes she loved.
Mia looked once, then turned away.
She clearly didn’t care anymore.
But that glance still reminded her of those nights when he came home late, sitting there with Amelia eating supper.
It made her feel sick inside.
Her expression grew colder.
Without going over, she walked straight to his desk and sat down.
“Don’t waste my time. Didn’t you say the agreement was ready?”
James looked at Mia’s profile helplessly, silent for a few seconds.
He gave up on opening the outer box and stood, walking to his desk to press the intercom.
“Robert, have the legal department bring in the agreement.”
“Yes!”
Soon, the legal department brought in the agreement they had prepared early in the morning.
“Mr. Smith.”
The lawyer sat down and, with James’s glance, handed the agreement to Mia.
She took it expressionlessly and opened it.
The agreement was simple, exactly as they had discussed yesterday.
The only difference was the first clause—the amount owed.
Mia slowly raised her head, looking at James with a sarcastic expression.
He could even use such a method to force her not to divorce and torment her—truly shameless.
Why should she save face for him in front of his subordinates?
She threw the agreement back to James.
“James, the total amount owed is $4,127,000, not $4,000,000.”
The total of those transfers and IOUs had been deeply imprinted in her mind since she saw them in the hotel.
She looked sarcastic, humiliating him in public.
“I know you’re wealthy and don’t care about this ten or so thousand dollars.
But if you have the ability to wipe out the whole $4 million, why only erase a small part? Is that charity?”
“If you want to give charity, you should see if the person you’re giving it to is willing!”
Mia threw the agreement over.
The lawyer from the legal department was somewhat well-known in the legal circle and was sitting there like on pins and needles.
He was already confused about drafting the agreement.
Now, hearing Mia’s ruthless sarcasm toward Mr. Fu, he clearly felt the temperature in the office drop sharply.
He nervously glanced at the expressionless James.
“Make the change.”
James spoke concisely.
He wasn’t giving charity.
He never wanted this money.
He just wanted to keep her close.
“Yes!”
Just changing a number, the lawyer quickly brought in the new agreement.
Mia read it through, confirmed no issues, and signed.
James signed after her.
After the lawyer finished, Mia tore up the divorce agreement and threw it on the desk.
Without lingering a second longer, she turned and walked out.
Just as she reached the door, James spoke behind her, “Remember to move back tonight.”
“No need to remind me. I keep my word.”
Unlike him.
One last sarcastic jab at James before leaving.
She opened the door and strode out.
The lawyer immediately stood, “Mr. Smith, I will keep everything confidential.”
James didn’t respond but gestured for him to leave.
After the door closed, James took a cigarette from the pack, lit it, and exhaled smoke rings while looking at the agreement in front of him.
His phone suddenly rang.
James glanced at the caller ID—Carl’s number.
He reached for it.
“Carl, found anything?”
“Yes, I found the person for you. Do you want to ask yourself, or should I help?”
“I’m coming over right away.”
James stood, grabbed his coat, and strode out.