A Vengeful Ex-Wife

Maria was a fantastic actress. She acted like she really cared about Alina's business idea.

Gripping the back of the chair tightly, Alina took a deep breath and told her, "I want to use it as the headquarters for my chain of salons." There was no reason to hide it. Her beauty salon had more than a dozer chain stores in H City already, and she planned to make this shop in the central business district as the base of operations.

Although Alina kept her cool and her tone remained even, inside she was shouting furiously. 'I didn't go far enough six years ago. I should have killed Maria instead of making her a mute!"

Maria smiled back at her. "What a coincidence! I was planning on opening a beauty salon there too. So there's no way I can rent it to you. You'd be competition."

Done talking for now, she stood up and walked to the door, heedless of Alina's dour face. Alina's assistant stepped in her way, but Maria just pushed him aside.

"Maria, stop!" No one had ever made Alina this mad. Maria had dangled a metaphorical carrot in front of Alina, and yanked it away when she was this close. She had taken Alina's dream and stomped on it. How could she let Maria just walk out like this?

Maria ignored her. She paused in the doorway long enough to say, "What did you expect? I haven't even started with you yet. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Do you remember what you did to me? How you drugged me? How you hit on James while we were still married? You're lucky I let you off this easy!"

After saying that, Maria walked out of the reception room and slammed the door behind her.

Bang! Enraged, Alina swept the tea set off the table, sending it crashing to the floor. She was so mad she could barely breathe. 'Damn you, Maria Song! This is war! I'll be married to James soon enough. Remember, the Xi family kicked you to the curb. So why should I be afraid of you again?' And that was when Alina came up with a stellar idea. She knew who could help her get revenge.

On the way back to her desk, Maria heard the noise in the lobby but ignored it. Disregarding her coworkers' gazes, she went back to work like nothing was wrong.

Alina left the confines of HM Group and walked over to the offices of HL Group. She was pretty sure James was still at work.

She took the elevator to the 66th floor. Seeing her arrival, Lorenzo stood up immediately and led Alina into the CEO's office. James was on the phone. Alina rubbed her eyes on the way here, so it looked like she'd been crying. She sat down in the chair opposite him, and shed her usual arrogance. She was figuring out how best to convince him to help her.

After a few minutes, James hung up the phone. He glanced at Alina but said nothing.

She was used to it, though. The woman started complaining in a choked voice, "Oh, James! I need your help."

This the first time she acted like she was heartbroken. In front of him, at least. Usually, she was gentle and elegant, every inch the superstar. She knew James hated weepy women. She decided to show him how badly she had suffered.

Leaning back in his chair, James crossed his hands in front of his stomach. He said, "Go ahead."

"It's Maria! Somehow, she's the owner of a space I want. She won't sell it. When I tried to discuss the rent with her, she stood me up twice in a row. She finally showed her face today, but turned me down. She wants to open a beauty salon, too, she says. Probably just to spite me!"

James was quiet, but Alina was sure he was listening. Wiping her invisible tears, she continued to appeal to his charity with a bitter face. "I don't care so much about being stood up. After all, she's my cousin. But she crossed the line this time, don't you think?" She wanted James to do something to Maria. He was the most ruthless man she knew. Shouldn't he try to make her happy? They were getting engaged, for heaven's sake. Even if James wouldn't do what she wanted, Alina could get her own men to take revenge. But if James agreed, she'd be able to watch.

"She even said she came back to get even with us! No wonder her own family didn't like her. I get it now. Oh, Maria! I really want that shop. It's right next to HL Group, spitting distance from you," Alina said, a blush spreading across her cheeks. Her watery eyes stared at James expectantly.

Pausing to make sure Alina was done talking, James nodded. "I see. Summer will help you with it."

Alina believed that she could definitely get that shop if James helped her. Tears of joy welled in her eyes. She stood up and walked up to James ecstatically. Holding his arm, Alina said in a teasing tone, "James, that's so sweet of you! Thank you! After we get married, I'll do my best to be a good wife. I'll try to be worthy of the title Mrs. Xi."

Alina's perfume was too heavy, so James covertly took steps to avoid getting too close. He picked up the phone and pressed the button to get an internal line. "Summer, please come to my office." Summer entered his office after a curt knock. She greeted both of them. "Mr. Xi, Ms. Tang. You wanted me?"

"I need you to acquire Maria Song's property on South Town Street," James replied.

Summer was startled by this turn of events. But she gathered her wits quickly. The woman glanced at Alina and nodded. "Yes, Mr. Xi." She had been trying to find the time to dine with Maria, and this opportunity dropped in her lap. She could now officially meet with her.

Later that day, Summer called Maria. Maria was not surprised at all. When she saw who it was, she picked up the phone. "Hey, Summer! You know what I've been jonesing for? That hotpot on Bamboo River Road. Is it still open?"

Summer smiled, noting the excitement in her tone. "I don't know. Maybe we should find out. When do you want to meet up?"

"ASAP!" They agreed there was no time like the present.

The hotpot restaurant was still there. It had been one of the more popular eateries in town, and still was. Seeing each other, the two women gave each other a big hug. Holding Maria's hand and taking a good look at her, Summer was impressed. "How are you? It's been so long! You've only gotten hotter. No wonder everyone was jealous."

Flashing her a big smile, Maria pinched her cheek. Then they sat down face to face. "Oh, stop! You've always been gorgeous too. Your cheeks have gotten rosier, I think. So what's new?"

"I married my college sweetheart!" When Summer said this, a glint of happiness appeared in her eyes. She naughtily waved her left hand, the small diamond sparkling on her ring finger.

Maria sighed exaggeratedly, "Whoa! Congratulations! You work so hard, where did you find the time?"

Summer laughed. "Maybe we should order something!"

They'd been friends since Maria and James tied the knot. Summer was James' special assistant. She helped them with everything, public and private.

Initially, it was just a work relationship. But Maria and Summer became fast friends. Maria was always kind and generous. Summer was organized and had great ideas. They'd lost touch for six long years, but they were still friends.

Summer picked up a piece of cooked beef tripe from the boiling pot and put it onto Maria's plate. She asked, "Why did you show up with Norman Shen at Alina's birthday party?"

"I wanted to piss off James," the woman answered honestly, and smiled in self-mockery. "But it didn't work. I guess he doesn't care about me at all."

Maria wasn't dumb. James probably knew she went to Fairview Villa after the party. He let her stand outside all night.

'He's even more cold-blooded than I thought,' Maria thought to herself. She chewed her food hard, imagining she was feasting on James' bones.

"I wouldn't say that. Mr. Xi cares about you to the tune of 300 mil. That's how much you got in alimony, right?" James had always been indifferent to everyone and nobody could tell what was on his mind. However, after working with him for several years, Summer believed James cared for Maria.

Their son died while Maria was taking care of him. That was why James put the blame on her.

Hearing that, Maria paused, chopsticks in hand. She looked at Summer and asked, "I beg your pardon? 300 million dollars? Where'd you come up with that figure?" When she left H City six years ago, she only had a couple hundred in the bank.

Summer was a little confused by her reaction. "What's wrong, Maria?"

But she was there. She heard James ask Lorenzo to make it happen. So Maria should have the 300 million, right?

Maria couldn't believe her ears. "You sure about that, Summer?"