Chapter 77 Plunder
Facing Gloria who was so close to him, the faint scent of roses from her body was like an intoxicating drug.
Even though they had shared a bed for years and he had tasted every inch of Gloria's body.
When she suddenly got this close, his mind and breath were completely captured by Gloria.
He never cared about those material things anyway. With his current status, even if he gave all his assets to Gloria, he could earn them back in no time.
All he wanted was her.
James nodded, "Okay."
Gloria thought it would take more effort, but James agreed so easily.
What game was he playing now?
Whatever he was up to, she needed to seize this opportunity to get everything.
James asked, "If I give you the shares, will you come home?"
She corrected him, "Don't get the wrong idea. I'm bringing Grandma home so she won't find out about our divorce. You just need to play the role of a husband. I'm not changing my mind about the divorce."
"Honey, whatever the reason, as long as you come home." His eyes were full of affection for her.
If she hadn't heard with her own ears that the baby in Maria's belly was still there, Gloria would have been fooled by him again.
Using going home as an excuse, she spent the whole day running around with James.
From transfer agreements to property notarization, they signed a huge pile of messy documents and went to several government offices.
Once the process was complete, the assets would belong to her.
As long as she successfully got that divorce decree, Gloria and James would have no future together.
Back at the hospital, after a detailed examination for Vivienne, James specially arranged a car to take Vivienne home.
Returning to their marital home, the roses in the yard were all covered with thick snow.
During the days she was away, even the flowers seemed to have lost their vitality.
James helped Vivienne to a room on the first floor, patiently explaining, "We've always kept this room for you. From now on, just rest well at home."
"Good, thank you for being so thoughtful."
Vivienne held their hands together, "I'll leave this world sooner or later. I just hope you two can walk through this life together."
"Don't worry, Grandma. I'll take good care of Gloria."
Gloria didn't answer, and James withdrew his hand and went back to the bedroom first.
After he left, Gloria was busy running around, adjusting the shower temperature one moment, laying down anti-slip mats the next.
Worried that Vivienne might not be used to the new place, she helped Vivienne wash up before finally stopping.
"Gloria, I feel like your attitude toward James isn't what it used to be. Are you two having problems?"
Vivienne pretended to be confused, and Gloria played along with her act.
"Yes, he did something that made me very angry a while ago."
"Don't punish yourself for someone else's mistakes. But if he knows he was wrong, give him a chance. You two should live well together."
Gloria looked directly into Vivienne's eyes, "What if he made an unforgivable mistake?"
"I watched James grow up. He loves you so much. Even if he made a mistake, you're still in his heart. Life is long. If you make a fuss over every mistake, every couple in the world would get divorced."
Vivienne touched her head, "Gloria, I believe in his love for you. When I'm gone, he can protect you and keep you from being alone."
Gloria said seriously, "But Grandma, I'm not that little girl anymore who got beaten up by thugs and needed you to save me with a broom. I can take care of myself and take care of you too."
Seeing the worried look in Vivienne's eyes, Gloria quickly changed her tone, "Okay, okay, it's not as serious as you think. Whether we fight or argue, it's just temporary. We've been together for eighteen years. How could I really bear to leave him?"
"Besides you, he's the most important person to me. I love him so much, I won't leave him."
Hearing this, Vivienne finally relaxed.
"I'm relieved that you two will live well together."
"You rest early. From now on, just stay home and keep me company. I'm going back to my room."
Gloria walked out of the guest bedroom with a smile. The moment she closed the door, the smile on her face vanished.
Vivienne, I'm sorry, I lied to you too.
Once Vivienne believed she wouldn't leave James, knowing Vivienne's personality, she would take the initiative to leave, and Gloria could naturally send Vivienne to a nursing home.
By then, all the assets would be transferred to her name, and Gloria's plan would succeed.
After Vivienne went to the nursing home, she would go to the hospital for an abortion.
From then on, she would be a brand new Gloria, living only for herself!
It seemed she needed to push harder these next couple of days.
Gloria returned to the master bedroom. A blanket was laid out on the carpet.
Just then the bathroom door opened, and a strong, tempting male body suddenly appeared before her eyes.
James was bare-chested with a towel loosely wrapped around his waist.
The contours of his chest and abs were clearly visible, and with each step of his long legs, the towel revealed the firm, muscular lines of his calves.
Without clothes covering him, James not only had a handsome face but his muscles also looked so powerful, with beautiful lines full of tension.
James's hair, usually fixed back, hung down wet and obediently against his forehead. Water droplets slid down his high nose bridge, past his prominent Adam's apple, and disappeared into the edge of the towel.
This scene could only be described as sensually captivating.
Gloria looked away and replied coldly, "Put on some clothes."
"Okay." James's voice was hoarse, carrying the lazy satisfaction of post-desire.
Gloria realized—had he just been masturbating in the bathroom?
He walked toward her step by step. Gloria watched him warily until James pressed her against the bed. He slowly leaned down.
The warm moisture from his body mixed with the rose scent of body wash suddenly rushed toward her.
Gloria fell back sitting on the edge of the bed, but James just reached past her without touching her at all, pulling out his pajamas from under her.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered softly, "Gloria, I really won't hurt you anymore. Don't be afraid of me, okay?"
After speaking, he slowly backed away with his clothes. A water droplet from his hair fell onto her collar, sliding down the back of her neck and onto her back.
The coolness made her body shiver.
Gloria grabbed her pajamas and went to the bathroom.
She locked the door, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
James, to coax her back, he was even using seduction.
In the past, she really fell for this trick.
But once she got divorced, if she had sexual needs, plenty of men would come running with just a wave of her hand.
As long as a woman doesn't get lost in love or bound by so-called morality, she's invincible.
Men, whatever.
She didn't care for them.
Wasn't he good at acting? Then let's see whose performance was better.
Don't challenge her profession with his hobby.
Gloria came out after her shower. James's hair was mostly dry too.
His hair was very short and dried quickly with a blow dryer.
In the past, whenever he made Gloria angry, he would either pretend to sleep on the sofa or not dry his hair to gain her sympathy.
When a woman cares about you, she thinks you have cancer if you cough once.
When she doesn't care anymore, even if you're hanging yourself, she'll think you're on a swing.
Gloria needed to use this opportunity to send Vivienne away. She had to put on this act.
She tossed him a clean towel, then said fiercely, "Dry your hair before sleeping."
James was delighted.
This was a sign that Gloria was softening.
He dried his hair, turned off the lights, and smiled slightly.
Gloria would forgive him soon!
He began to reflect on his actions during this time. He had indeed been too impulsive, driven crazy by Caspian.
Thinking carefully, Gloria had been with him for eighteen years. What did Caspian have with her?
Whatever Caspian could give her, he could give too.
Gloria, I'm sorry. From now on, I'll stay with you properly.
As for the IVF matter, he would put it aside for now.
He'd wait until Gloria accepted him again, until she was willing.
As long as Gloria would turn back, he was willing to give anything.
After going through all this, he finally understood Gloria's place in his heart.
Even if he died, he wouldn't let go.
The next day, the weather was fine and sunny. After days of gloom, the sky cleared and the heavy snow finally stopped.
James also slept in for once, not even noticing when Gloria left the bed.
He hurried downstairs to see Gloria and Vivienne watching TV in the living room.
Gloria was explaining the TV plot to Vivienne. Sunlight fell on her face.
She wore no makeup, her small face fresh and beautiful, one of a kind.
On the dining table were sandwiches and cut fruit.
She had left breakfast for him. James was overjoyed.
Mittens rubbed against James's pant leg. James squatted down and patted its head, "Go to Mom."
Mittens seemed to sense Gloria's pregnancy and didn't dare jump on her, becoming more clingy to James instead.
James noticed that Gloria was already showing signs of softening in private.
He struck while the iron was hot, having someone buy groceries so he could cook Gloria a lavish lunch at home.
In the middle of it, he took a call from Mabel. Hearing her request, he frowned, "Mom, what do you want that villa for?"
"I've lived in my current house for years. I remember that villa has good lighting and location. Just give it to me."
"No, I'm planning to sell it."
"Sell what? Just transfer it to me."
Gloria happened to pass by and "accidentally" overheard, immediately realizing that Maria was living in that villa now.
Mabel wanted to give the house to Maria. What a generous "mother-in-law."
The mistress wanted to live in a villa?
She went upstairs and called the private detective. Ever since discovering the thing between James and Maria, she had been preparing for divorce.
At the time, worried James wouldn't agree to divorce, she set up a plan in advance, having the private detective investigate James and Maria to collect more evidence for future use.
Gloria lowered her voice, "It's me. Make me a list of all the money James spent on Maria."
Wanting to take her marital assets? Maria was dreaming!
Gloria had just come downstairs when she saw James's finger bleeding. James looked up and asked, "Gloria, where's the first aid kit?"
Seeing that bright red blood, Gloria thought of the blood on her wrist that night.
She suppressed the hatred in her eyes and quickly ran toward James.
With a worried expression on her face, she grabbed his hand, "How can you be so careless? A grown man cutting his hand while cooking?"
Vivienne looked toward them. Gloria gritted her teeth and went all in.
Just like James had done for her every time she got hurt, she leaned down and took James's finger in her mouth.
James felt Gloria's warm lips gently sucking on his finger. He immediately lost all reason.
His pupils darkened, his breathing grew heavy, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he said, "Gloria, don't, don't do this, it's dirty."