Chapter 40 Unacceptable
ANNA'S POV
I wasn’t surprised at what James just asked me. Not even a little.
I saw it coming from the very beginning, long before he even walked up to me with that desperate expression on his face. Every step he took toward me basically screamed that this moment was going to happen. And honestly, it fit perfectly into my plan — almost too perfectly, like the universe was cooperating with me for once after everything it took away back then.
Now all I had to do was turn him down. Once I did that, I would kill whatever last trace of hope he had left in saving his company. That pressure alone would tighten around his neck like a rope, and the moment he started choking on the reality of his own downfall, that was when Dan would come in and play his part as the unknown investor.
He would buy 70% of the company’s shares. Of course, under normal circumstances, absolutely no one would ever think of selling more than half of their company to anyone, not even for a ridiculously generous offer. But with the amount of pressure James was under right now, he would have no choice but to take the deal. It was either that or watching everything he worked for crumble in front of him.
And once Dan got the shares, that would push me high up the ranking of boardroom members in his company. Higher than Melissa. High enough to dismantle everything they built with stolen work and lies. And from there, I was going to expose him — slowly, painfully, and publicly.
“Well, luck isn’t on your side today,” I finally said, keeping my tone calm even though I could practically feel the tension tightening in the air, “we have taken so many deals today alone. We don’t think we can handle the amount of funds you need at the moment.”
His jaw tensed. “Anna, I know you’re just doing this to get back at me, but think about the people who still need my drug. Think about how you’re going to ruin their life.”
I actually almost laughed. The audacity of this man.
“Don’t even think about playing that card on me,” I said sharply. “That’s really rich coming from you. Last I remember, you and Melissa did not give a damn if my life was ruined or not.”
“I’ve changed,” James said quietly, as if lowering his voice would make the lie more believable. “I’m not the same as before.”
“Yes, and you belittled me like I was a rag you could step on just earlier,” I said, flipping his earlier behavior right back at him with no hesitation.
“I know you’re not telling the truth,” he insisted. “You haven’t gotten that many deals today to render Quinn Enterprise funds unavailable for now. Besides, the funds I need are way smaller. Just… do something, alright?”
His voice rose slightly at the end, and that was the moment he pushed the boundary too far.
“Now that,” I said firmly, “is what I’m not going to accept. You stand here raising your voice at me and trying to manipulate me for your own gain.”
I took a step closer, lowering my voice but keeping my tone cold — cold enough even he felt it.
“If you still want to remain in this event and not get kicked out by security, I suggest you never do that again. This discussion is over.”
And without wasting a moment, I turned around, ready to walk away from him entirely. I already made my point. But before I could take even three steps, he reached out and grabbed me lightly by the arm.
I froze.
Then turned slowly, first looking down at his hand on my arm, then at him.
“Your father wouldn’t have done this,” James said quickly, as if throwing that statement out would somehow shake me. “How are you going to look after turning down my offer? That’s not something a noble CEO would do. Even if you don’t want to consider it, allow me to speak to your father personally.”
Before I could respond to that nonsense, I noticed Melissa finally walking over to us, approaching fast. It looked like she had lost whatever patience she had left and decided she needed to intervene.
“You think this is some kind of joke?” Melissa snapped the moment she reached us, stopping right at James’s side.
Oh, so I was right. She had been listening to everything from the start.
“This can take a fatal turn on us if it’s not worked on,” she continued. “And I’m not ready to go to jail, so why not just help us out?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but before a single word could escape, I felt James’s hand still holding onto my arm.
That was unacceptable.
And I had warned him — warned him clearly that if he tried anything like this, if he dared, it wouldn’t end well.
I took a breath, composed myself, then raised the other arm in the air toward a waiter who happened to be passing by. The waiter immediately rushed over, holding a tray of drinks, glasses filled with champagne that sparkled under the light.
Melissa and James both looked confused, clearly not understanding why I called the waiter over.
I didn’t bother to explain.
I simply picked up a glass of champagne from the tray, stepped closer to James—close enough to see the confusion shift into panic in his eyes—and then, without breaking eye contact for even a second…
I slowly poured the champagne over his head.
Not splashing.
Not tossing.
Just a slow, deliberate pour.
The liquid streamed down his hair, down his forehead, dripping onto his suit jacket. His expression froze somewhere between shock and humiliation.
Melissa let out a small gasp, quickly covering her mouth, her eyes wide in disbelief.
And in that instant, I could feel the stares of everyone around us. Every single person in that event was watching, their conversations dying off one by one as they all turned to witness the little scene I had just created. The soft classical music playing in the background suddenly felt far too quiet compared to the buzz of murmurs rising around us.
This little stunt of mine had definitely drawn all their attention.