A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 78

Summer's reassignment abroad was no secret. Lorenzo gave it to Maria straight. "Summer was transferred because she helped you and angered Mr. Xi." He thought Summer was really stupid, and brought this on herself.

Lorenzo wasn't lying. Summer did help her, and was punished for it. That much was true. Maria set her work aside, grabbed her phone, and walked out of the cafe with Lorenzo.

The man thought he knew Maria pretty well. According to his calculations, she'd go to HL Group and fight with James about this. He was ready for the inevitable fireworks show. Lorenzo was disappointed.

Maria was led to the CEO's office. When she saw James, she leaned over his desk with a bright smile and said, "Hi, Mr. Xi. Did you miss me?"

Lorenzo didn't leave the office until he rolled his eyes in disdain.

Looking at the woman in front of him, James got down to business. "Give me Ronald's videos. Name your price."

Since he was straightforward, Maria asked more frankly, "Let's remarry?" He refused, "No way!"

"Then call off your engagement to Alina." "No!"

Maria didn't get angry. Still leaning over his desk, she propped herself up on her elbows, rested her chin in one hand and looked at the man. "So much for naming my price. Two conditions, then."

"Go ahead."

"First, I want Summer back here, working for you like usual." Summer was her best source for inside information in HL Group.

Eyes darkening, James said nothing. He knew the reason Maria wanted Summer working here. He didn't like it.

Maria heaved a sigh. "Some negotiation. You can't just automatically say no to everything I want. That's not how this works. Unless you don't really want the videos..."

"Okay, I'll transfer Summer back. The second one?" He really underestimated the bond between these two women. He resolved not to make the same mistake twice. He thought the maxim "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" to be quiet apt.

Maria was overjoyed. She was finally getting somewhere. Putting her chin in both hands, she said, "I haven't decided on the second condition. You'll be the first to know when I do."

James was now even angrier. "No. Tell me now.

She lowered her head and giggled, "Why so anxious? Having a hard time controlling yourself when we're in the same room together?"

James blinked rapidly. He couldn't believe what she said.

The woman sitting opposite smiled sweetly and her eyes narrowed, as if she were in an extremely good mood.

Maria comforted him, "Don't worry. If you think I'm being unreasonable, just turn me down. I'm used to it."

Then, she stood up straight, grabbed her purse and said, "Mr. Xi, if there's nothing else, I'm out of here. Remember to unblock me on WeChat. Pretty hard to send the videos to you if I'm still blocked."

James watched her walk out.

Maria visibly relaxed. That went better than she thought.

Her sudden change threw James for a loop. He expected her to fly off the handle and he had gone over ways to subdue her if she got out of hand.

Now it looked like that was unnecessary. Maria opened the office door. But before she left, she turned around and said, "I bet you're wondering why I'm so open to persuasion today. " She looked James straight in the eye, her expression full of love, whispering, "It's just that I love you so much. I'll give you whatever you want."

After saying that, she left without looking back.

Silence blanketed the office. James was still reeling from what she said.

"I love you so much." Her voice echoed in his mind.

These five simple words made James feel uneasy and a trace of guilt tickled his heart.