A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 12

The thick door separated the two, James standing in the bedroom and Maria in the hallway. They stood there, each with their own thoughts. Eventually, she breathed a sigh of relief and went downstairs.

After hearing her head down the stairs, James called John. "Find me new property management and security companies for Fairview Villa!"

'They were useless. They couldn't do what they were hired to do. So why shouldn't I fire them?' James mused. His inner voice told him Maria was not as simple as she looked.

When passing through the living room, Maria glanced at the spot where the accident happened. Her joy evaporated. She should be ecstatic since she escaped James unscathed. But Arthur's face flashed through her mind.

"Arthur, my baby. It's my fault you're dead, but that woman is more responsible for your death! I won't let her get away with it!' Maria pushed the door open while vowing revenge for her son.

Once she left, silence blanketed the villa.

James stood at the windowsill in the bedroom on the second floor, watching the woman walk away. He lit a cigarette and took a drag. After returning to her hotel room, Maria sat in front of the window, deep in thought. After a while, she leaned against the back of the chair and surrendered to sleep.

Maria's eyes snapped open, awakened by the buzz of her phone on the coffee table. It was light outside, but it felt like she hadn't slept a wink. She reached over and looked to see who it was. A glance at the caller ID confirmed it was the call she was waiting for. "Hello? Yeah, it's me," she said. She was surprisingly wide awake, and all ears. "Did you find it?"

"Yes, I have." The person at the other end of the line told Maria what Alina wanted the most right now.

Maria smiled, "Great. Then buy it. Spare no expense."

"Yes, Ms. Song."

Meanwhile, Alina had just finished breakfast.

She stretched and her silk pajamas shimmered. Closing her magazine and putting it on the table, she turned her head to address the dapper man next to her. "How's everything with the shop on South Town Street?"

The man in the suit was Alina's assistant. He bowed his head and reported respectfully, "I tracked down the landlady, but she doesn't want to sell it. She only wants to let it out. Sorry, Ms. Tang." Alina was planning to open a shop, and it took her a long time to find the ideal spot. Not long ago, she found a shop with a loft, nearly five hundred square meters, located at South Town Street. She planned to buy it, using her family's wealth and influence. But the last thing she expected was that the owner wasn't willing to sell it.

"Not as sorry as she'll be," Alina mumbled. "Ms. Tang?" the assistant asked, puzzled. "Nothing," Alina answered. "How much is the rent for a year, anyway?" She wasn't dead set on buying it, but wondered why the owner was playing at.

"She wouldn't tell me. She wants to talk to you face-to-face," said the assistant.

Alina frowned. "Can't she just talk to you?"

"I tried to tell her that, but she refused and insists on talking to you in person."

Alina had seen the shop with her own eyes. It was the perfect place — just the right size, centrally located, plenty of ancient charm, lots of foot traffic. After thinking for a moment, she got out of the recliner, ready to change clothes. "Call the landlady now. Ask her to meet me at the new cafe there in half an hour."

If it were any other random shop for rent, Alina would just find another location. But she had her heart set on this one. Moreover, the landlady also wanted to meet her in person. Alina was quite unhappy about that. She was the most famous celebrity in town. She couldn't waste her time with common folk.

"Miracle Cafe, right?" her assistant asked.

"Yeah." The coffee shop she was talking about was not small. It occupied the entire first floor of HM Group's building. It was famous for its high-quality coffee beans and pleasant service. The decor inside was also unique, making it the most popular spot in the central business district. The owner certainly had good business sense.

HL Group was right across the street, kitty corner to HM Group. The shop that Alina had her eyes on was also in this district, pretty close to this coffee shop. Its proximity to HM Group was a major selling point. If she got the shop, she could see James more often. James' wealth and power could be good for business as well.

"Okay, I'll get ahold of the landlady right now." The assistant dialed the owner's number.

Half an hour later, Alina arrived at the Miracle Cafe right on schedule. She found a seat outside, where she could see the HL Group offices. She opened a magazine and tried to look nonchalant.

It was three minutes till they were supposed to meet, but no one showed. Alina's assistant called the owner as a reminder, sweat beading on his forehead.