Chapter 58

Chapter 58

I wanted to explain, but I didn't know what else to say.

Should I tell him I didn't know when our relationship might turn sour again?

No need to think about it—if I said that, James would only get angrier than he already was.

Before I could come up with an explanation, James pressed further, "Do you only want Joshua's help? Or do you just not want my help—anyone else is fine?"

His hands gripped my shoulders so tightly that my bones ached.

I pressed my lips together and mustered all the courage I could to continue, "James, it really is all for Mom's illness, and I only found out today that Henry's company is a partnership between him and Joshua. I never meant to hide anything from you."

In my mind, James was angry about this.

Seeing his expression soften slightly, I continued, "And I was planning to tell you about this as soon as I got back. Joshua and I have nothing going on—it's purely because of Mom's illness."

But James's face darkened again.

"That's it?"

"That's it."

I didn't understand what else there could be.

What I didn't know was that James had just received a message from Jesse, claiming that the bid price was obtained by Joshua through private channels.

Besides me, what other private channels could he have?

James waited and waited, but when no further explanation came from me, his eyes blazed with fury, "What about the bid? How do you explain that?"

"The bid?"

I looked at him blankly.

James's face was dark, "Do you really not know, or are you playing dumb with me?"

Meeting his suspicious gaze, I finally understood, and my heart sank to the bottom.

I tried to keep my voice calm and asked back, "What should I know? What am I playing dumb about?"

"Smith Corporation's latest bid was leaked three days ago."

James spoke each word deliberately, his suspicion of me so obvious he was practically convicting me.

My heart clenched instantly, the pain making even my breathing tremble.

"You suspect I leaked it?"

I forced my eyes wide open, desperately trying not to let the tears fall.

Before me was the man I loved most, and he actually suspected I had leaked Smith Corporation's confidential information!

But I knew nothing about any bid, and without a second thought, he suspected me?

I took a deep breath and stared straight into James's eyes, trying to make my voice sound less hurt, "James, you suspect I leaked the bid, right?"

James's expression wavered for a moment, then turned sharp again.

"Wasn't it you? Anna, are you still pretending with me even now?"

His fierce look seemed ready to tear me apart.

My heart was breaking.

My voice trembled, my eyes reddened.

"You're that certain it was me?"

We had spent so much time together.

All those memories—weren't they enough to earn James's trust?

He was that convinced it was me?

Convinced I had betrayed him?

Along with the heartache came disappointment.

James looked at my reddened eyes and wavered for a moment.

But as if remembering something, his hesitation was consumed by rage.

"If not you, then who? Are you trying to say Jesse is lying to me?"

Before I could speak, Victoria's surprised voice rang out, "Ms. Green? What brings you here?"

I turned to look.

Lucy was wearing a little white dress with a cardigan over it, making her look gentle and refined.

Lucy seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere between James and me, smiling gently, "James, did you have a fight with your wife?"

The corner of my mouth twitched.

Wife?

Could she say that title with any sincerity?

Before I could speak, James sneered, "What wife? Just a pet I bought. Upstairs."

With that, he turned and left.

Lucy followed close behind me, and as she passed, she gave me a triumphant smile.

Her voice was very gentle, as if she were genuinely concerned for us.

"Mrs. Smith, couples don't hold grudges overnight. If you did something wrong, as long as you apologize properly to James, he'll definitely forgive you."

How interesting—I hadn't done anything, yet her words nailed me to the pillar of shame for betrayal.

I walked past her and looked at James.

James didn't turn around, but he stopped walking.

His fists were clenched tight. In his eyes that I couldn't see, there was struggle and a hint of hidden expectation.

He wanted to hear me give in.

As long as I was willing, he could consider letting it go—the problem was already solved anyway.

He just needed me to give in.

I didn't wait for James to speak up for me. Completely disappointed, I said, "I didn't do it, so I won't apologize. He doesn't trust me—what's there to say? Ms. Green, you should mind your own business!"

Before I finished speaking, James strode upstairs.

A gleam flashed in Lucy's eyes.

The bid leak was actually a trap she and Joshua had set up together.

She had gotten the bid from a senior executive at Smith Corporation, then had Joshua spread false information claiming it was obtained three days ago, while revealing certain "key information" to Jesse.

The person who could have known about the bid three days ago, besides James, there was only me at the villa.

Lucy's eyes were full of triumph.

She gave me one last contemptuous look before following James upstairs.

It wasn't until both their figures completely disappeared that the strength I'd been forcing myself to maintain finally gave out.

I collapsed onto the sofa in defeat, weakly covering my face.

My cheeks gradually grew wet.

I felt cold all over, even my soul seemed frozen and trembling.

The bid and all that—I knew nothing about it!

Why, why was James so convinced it was me?

Why!

I bit my lower lip hard, the taste of blood gradually spreading through my mouth.

"Mrs. Smith, are you okay?"

Victoria asked cautiously, handing me a tissue.

I took the tissue and wiped my face, "I'm fine. What I didn't do, I didn't do. I'm not afraid of false accusations. Victoria, when's dinner?"

"It'll be ready soon."

Victoria's face also showed disapproval of James's behavior this time.

But I wasn't in the mood to complain to her.

"Victoria, I'm going upstairs to rest for a bit. Call me when dinner's ready."

"Okay, Mrs. Smith."

But as soon as I went upstairs and reached the bedroom door, I heard Lucy's soft, coquettish voice.

"James, you're so mean."

That seductive voice could melt anyone's bones.

I froze, my face turning pale bit by bit.

My hand was clearly on the door handle, but I didn't have the courage to open it.

Lucy's flirtatious voice kept coming from inside the room, like blades cutting me to pieces.

Why? Our relationship had clearly been improving!

The ice beneath my feet finally cracked.

Even though I had been careful enough, cautious enough!

I felt like I was falling into an endless frozen river, cold all over, yet James's smile kept appearing in my mind.

Those smiles were mocking me—wishful thinking, pipe dreams!

How could I have thought James had forgiven me, that we were starting over?

My body trembled uncontrollably.

Just then, the door was opened from inside.