A Vengeful Ex-Wife novel Chapter 85

Recently, Alina couldn't win against Maria at all. She couldn't even use her resources and social status to intimidate Maria. And every time Maria bullied her, she would come to James and cry pitifully. All she could do was complain. Just like right now. James stared at her tearful face. He couldn't help wondering if he had really made the right choice. Was this the kind of woman he was about to marry?

In his mind, the ideal woman he wanted to marry was like Maria. She was an obedient wife and a good mother in the past. And now she was also an independent and strong-willed woman.

Alina still tried to defend herself. "Yes, I do have lots of connections and resources in H City. But don't forget that there is also someone like Norman behind Maria. Besides, our relationship has not been made public, and we are not engaged yet. I can't use your name in anything I do. That's also one reason why Maria doesn't take me seriously."

In H City, the power of the Tang family was gradually weakening. Once Alina made a big mistake, it would only add insult to injury. She couldn't let her family down. Hence, before she took any action, she had a lot of things to consider first. But if she became James' wife, she could totally rely on him. Even if she killed Maria, he would definitely help her out.

Alina knew a lot of ruthless people. But they wouldn't dare to lay a hand on Maria because they knew that Norman was protecting her.

"We have already confirmed our engagement date," James said. That was the only answer he could give her.

But it made Alina feel confused. Did he mean that she could now do whatever she wanted using his name? Or did he mean that she could come to him anytime if Maria pestered her again? She found it hard to figure out the message he wanted to convey to her. Then she remembered that he had just said that he was not interested in the strife between women.

For a moment, there was pin-drop silence in the office. Eventually, Alina decided to change the topic. Although she was here to complain about Maria, as much as possible, she didn't want Maria to be the center of their conversation every time she was with James. "By the way, Dad bought a villa for us. He wants us to move there before our wedding," she said.

But much to her surprise, James refused, "No. We are not married yet. Living together under the same roof will only tarnish your reputation. We can wait until after our wedding."

Alina was rendered speechless. Her brows furrowed in confusion. She wasn't sure if James really cared about her image or he was just making an excuse. Since she didn't know what else to talk about, she decided to leave. "Well, James, I'd better be going now. I know that you are busy today, so I won't take much of your time." The truth was, Alina wanted to go back home, so she could have time alone to think of ways to fight back against Maria.

Upon hearing what she said, James glanced at her and said, "Okay. I'll ask Lorenzo to drive you home."

When Alina left, James put down the document in his hands and glanced at the paper bags on the table. He then took a stick of cigarette from his drawer, lit it, and stood in front of the French window, lost in thought.

A few days passed, and Maria didn't come to see James again. He felt like everything that happened in Fairview Villa that night was just a dream.

One morning, Maria was still sleeping when she received a phone call from one of her waitresses. "Maria, something happened here in Miracle Cafe."

She sobered up right away, sat down on her bed, and asked, "What happened?"

"Please quickly come here for you to see."

As soon as she hung up, Maria washed her face and got dressed.

Half an hour later, she was now standing in front of her coffee shop. With her arms crossed over her chest, deep lines formed on her forehead as her brows creased.

Her coffee shop was in a mess. The windows and the main door were smashed, and broken glasses scattered on the ground. She didn't see this coming. The Miracle Cafe was located in the central business district of H City, where surveillance cameras were installed everywhere. She had even installed an anti-theft alarm system to make her coffee shop more secure. But still, someone was bold enough to ruin her business.

Her anti-theft alarm system had actually worked. The store manager and the police rushed over when they heard the alarm. But they were too late.

There was no else there, but only shattered glasses on the ground. They were not even able to find any tools that the criminals used or any traces left by them.

Maria had a lot of enemies in H City, but not so many people knew that she owned the Miracle Cafe. James, Lorenzo, and Alina were among those few who knew.

But she believed that James and Lorenzo were too busy to get bored and do such a thing to her.

It couldn't be Alina either. After all, she was the most famous celebrity in H City. Although she was too desperate to take her revenge and even wanted to kill Maria, she wouldn't do it this way. This kind of thing would only ruin her image.