A Vengeful Ex-Wife

After bidding Colby goodbye, Maria walked next door to the mall adjacent to the hotel. She bought a few clothes and some cosmetics, and came straight back to her room.

Nearby, a bodyguard walked into Colby's private room and made his report. "Mr. Zheng, Ms. Song went shopping at a nearby mall as soon she got the card. She was there for an hour, and came back to the hotel."

"Did she meet with James Xi?" Colby asked, not looking up from his cell phone.

"No, she didn't. Ms. Song left her room and ran into Mr. Xi before the dinner party. She said hi, but he ignored her."

"Very good. I don't think we need to keep tabs on her anymore. Dismissed."

"Yes, Mr. Zheng!"

After the bodyguard left, Colby turned off his phone and looked out of the window, lost in thought.

The assistant next to him hesitated for a moment. "Mr. Zheng, Ms. Song is Mr. Xi's ex. They divorced because their kid died. Now Mr. Xi is engaged to Alina Tang. They set the date for Founder's Day, the day the Tang Group was formed. Days ago, Mr. Xi got his ex in trouble with the cops. I don't think there's any love lost there."

Colby stood up and paced the room, hands behind his back. "I wish it were that easy. The woman is not simple." He could understand if this woman were just after his money. But he thought she might be after more, so he had to be careful.

The assistant nodded. They couldn't

underestimate Maria. She charmed the heck out of Colby, convincing him to take her along on a business trip.

"Any news from my wife?"

"Your eldest daughter has adjusted to living abroad. Mrs. Zheng doesn't see a need to be there any longer, and is coming back here. She asked Leslie to make the necessary

arrangements."

Colby didn't say anything. After a while, he ordered his assistant, "Find a way to keep her from returning."

"Mr. Zheng, why...?" The assistant was confused. Colby and his wife always seemed happily married. Although Colby would fool around with other women behind his wife's back, it was just for fun. He would never tell his wife about it, so this order was out of the blue.

The assistant has been working for the man for about twelve years. He knew Colby better than anyone, so the man told him why. "You know my new project in T Country? I want to work on it together with Maria Song."

He was worried his wife would find out Maria was his date. That might cause problems.

The reason why he wanted to bring Maria in on this was that he thought she might be useful. After digging into Maria's background, he made plans to use this woman.

If Maria was capable enough to make a fortune out of it, he didn't mind.

The assistant knew exactly what Colby meant. He hadn't put in that much time without getting to know his boss. The man did as Colby ordered.

Maria had just got back from her shopping trip, and carried her shopping bags into the hotel. When she came to her floor, she walked out of the elevator and saw a woman down the hall. She wore a bathrobe with the hotel's logo on it. Her long hair spilled over her shoulders, half-dry. She stood at the door to James' suite, talking to him.

Maria slowed her pace and watched the woman move closer and closer to James. They were touching. She couldn't be any closer unless she stepped inside him.

As for James, he was still expressionless, like a zombie. Maria curled her red lips and sneered, "Get a room, you two!" When James saw her, he was not as cold as usual, and even relaxed. He walked past the woman in the robe and grabbed Maria's hand - the hand holding the shopping bags. "Why are you back so late? Thought we had a date. Ms. Li, I'm sorry. I've run out of time tonight. Let's meet tomorrow." Being practically dragged along by James, Maria was confused. What was going on?

When she saw the look in his eyes, she got the idea. He wanted to use her to drive this woman away.

Ms. Li? Since James addressed her as Ms. Li, Maria realized that the woman was someone important as well. It also meant that James didn't want to make her mad. Of course it didn't mean he couldn't afford to offend her. After all, he was James Xi. It was a piece of cake for him to deal with that woman, but he just wanted to avoid trouble.

Thinking of this, Maria sneered! 'Humph! What a manipulative snake!' Days ago, he called the police and tried to get her tossed in jail. Now that she was useful, he was kind to her. Besides, if she offended Ms. Li tonight, she would suffer. But James would never help her if she was in trouble.

It was true that Maria wanted to be with James again, but she wouldn't put up with the same treatment. She also wanted to use James to deal with her enemies, but she wanted to fight side by side with him, instead of relying on him for everything!

James continued leading her where he wanted to go. But then she dug in her heels, and refused to be led any further. He looked back at her, confused.

The woman wrested her arm from his grasp, and turned to Ms. Li. James tried to head Maria off at the pass. "Maria, don't you want Fairview Villa? I can give it to you as a gift after we get back."

Maria stared at him blankly. He called her Maria? Fairview Villa?

Maria bit back the words at the tip of her tongue, deciding to keep silent.

But James said he would give it to her as a gift.

Maria kindly reminded herself, 'Don't be taken in by him. He's greedy and evil!' If this man were really that kind, he wouldn't have treated her like that. Maria realized this man was threatening her with Fairview Villa.

Maria draped her arm around Ms. Li, who glared at her in outrage. Maria said, "Ms. Li, let me tell you a secret. You're totally Mr. Xi's cup of tea. Your skin is fair as snow. Your eyebrows are like willow leaves. And your nose and lips are exquisite. I'm hot for you, and I'm straight!"

Ms. Li blushed because of her flattery, and a smile gradually appeared in her angry eyes.

James stared daggers at Maria, but the woman seemed not to notice at all. She continued, "But James is used to being cold and aloof. He's too embarrassed to tell you. Every minute is precious on a romantic night like this. Ms. Li, Mr. Xi, have a great one!" After saying that, Maria patted Ms. Li on the shoulder and made to leave.

She was about to leave, but she turned back to Ms. Li. She whispered in her ear, "I heard this man doesn't last long in bed. You may need some special toys!" She also stomped on James' feet while saying that.

James heard the whole thing, and just stood there, his face dark with rage.

James was about to grab Maria and thrash her, but Ms. Li threw herself into his arms and said, "Mr. Xi, I like you just the way you are. I don't mind if you don't last long in bed."

"Maria Song!" The man's growl came from behind. Maria didn't even look back at them.

Before entering her own suite, she blew him a kiss, and then waved, closing the door mercilessly, disappearing from sight.

It was quiet in the suite. She dropped her fake smile, put the card key in the slot, casually put the shopping bags down, kicked off her high heels, and changed into slippers.

Sitting on the sofa, Maria lit a cigarette and took a few puffs to relax. She wondered if the two she just left had ever shared a kiss. Then she continued to think about other things they might do, such as James laying on top of her, his body grinding against hers, nibbling the woman's neck, and exploring each other.

A few minutes later, Maria stubbed out the cigarette, put on her high heels, and walked out of her suite.

She pressed the button to James' suite multiple times, hammering on it like the button to a video game.

There was no answer. Maria guessed they were busy. Maybe they were intimate, and didn't want to stop. Knock! Knock! Knock! She gave up on the doorbell and started knocking loudly.