THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.
Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"I’ve been in this game long before half of you were even taken seriously," James said, standing up straight. "So let me remind you who I am. I’m still James. The James that people used to line up just to shake hands with. The James that every media outlet wanted to interview. The James that every top brand wanted to associate with."

Again he stepped forward, his voice rising slightly, filled with pride.

"I’m still the hot cake. I’m still the man everyone wants to mingle with. I haven’t changed."

He pointed toward the door.

"So if the Victors want to delay the announcement of my contract, fine. Let them delay it. It’s just a matter of time."

Then he turned his eyes back on all of them, his expression cold and confident.

"But don’t you ever forget who you’re talking to. And don’t ever try to cross me."

At that moment, the entire room fell into a heavy silence. The air was thick with disbelief. No one could believe what they had just witnessed James, the same James they had called to the meeting with the hope of finding clarity and unity, had just spat in their faces with arrogance and walked out like he owned the world.

They stood still, their eyes following the swinging door as it slowly creaked shut behind him.

The man who had called James earlier for the meeting was the first to react. His chest rose and fell heavily with fury. "He just crossed the line," he muttered, his voice low but dangerous. "That bastard just crossed the damn line."

Then he raised his voice sharply, loud enough for everyone to hear, "James better start watching his back. I swear on everything, I will come for him."

Immediately, others who had kept quiet during James’s monologue began to find their voice. One after another, their frustrations poured out like a broken dam.

"Yes! We’ll all come for him!"

"He thinks he’s untouchable?! Let’s see how long that lasts."

"If we don’t teach James a lesson, then we’re the fools."

They spoke over one another, their anger boiling to the surface now that James was no longer present. Chairs were dragged back. Hands gestured wildly. But amid all the fury, one of the older men calmer and more calculating raised his hand to silence them.

"Enough."

Immediately they all turned toward him, breathing hard.

He spoke slowly, with a voice that carried weight. "Didn’t you hear what James said before?"

At that moment someone said.

"What about it?" someone snapped.

"He mentioned someone... someone important. His ex-wife."

The room went quiet again.

"Cora," the man said firmly. "Think about it. What if she’s the one behind all this?"

One of them blinked, then nodded slowly. "You mean... the humiliation at the ceremony, the blacklist, the Victor pulling the plug on all our deals... it could be her?"

"It makes sense," another chimed in. "If she’s close to the Victor or someone above them, she could’ve easily whispered the right words into the right ears."

"And if that’s the case," said the first man who had spoken, "then James might not even be the main problem here. He might just be the fool who triggered her wrath."

There was a long pause. Then someone added, "We should find her. Immediately. If she’s the reason, then maybe just maybe we can fix this before it gets worse."

"Exactly," said another. "There’s no harm in trying."

"Let’s move. We don’t have time to waste."

At that moment, when the Victor had finally wrapped up their latest operation and the air of tension was finally settling, Williams’ father leaned back in his gold-framed armchair, his face beaming with rare pride. The atmosphere in the luxurious private lounge at the Victor estate was quiet, save for the faint clinking of crystal glasses and the distant hum of the estate’s central cooling system. He turned toward William, his eldest son, and gave a slow nod of satisfaction.

"Well done, William," he said, voice deep and deliberate. "The way you handled that entire situation... flawless. Ruthless, yet clean. You made them tremble without even lifting a finger."

At that moment William gave a small nod, not out of arrogance, but with the calm confidence of someone who had planned every move like a game of chess. "Thank you, Father."

His father stood and walked toward the glass wall overlooking the city skyline. "Now that that woman Cora has successfully divorced that fool, the doors have opened. Do you realize what that means?"

William stood silent, listening.

"It means we no longer have any barrier," his father continued. "Getting her into this family isn’t just a personal win it’s legacy. It’s history. It’s the greatest move we could ever make."

He turned around, his face serious now.

"If we get Cora, we don’t just gain a woman. We gain the world’s attention. We gain a name that carries honor, mystery, and power. People will talk. People will respect us even more. It will take you to number one number one in the world."

Upon hearing his father words William’s gaze hardened with ambition as he stepped forward. "I understand, Father. And I’ll do it. I’ll make sure she becomes my wife. I’ll bring her into this family and make sure the Victor name is stamped across the world louder than it’s ever been."

His father walked over, placing a strong hand on his shoulder. "Good boy," he said with a rare, warm chuckle.

"That’s what I like to hear. Your efforts... I like them."

Then he paused, then let out a soft sigh as he sat back down.

"If only your younger brother, Oliver, could show half the drive you have..." he added, shaking his head. "If he had even a sliver of your spirit, that woman Cora would have never married that fool in the first place."

At that moment he picked up his drink and sipped slowly.

"But now that she’s free again," he said, tone dipping with disappointment, "Oliver is still there. Still showing no interest. It’s sad, really. Pathetic even."