CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158

At that moment, hearing what William just said, James quickly tried to steady his voice, forcing himself to sound composed despite the storm raging inside him.

"No, William... that is not it," he said firmly, trying to ease the tension before it spiraled further. "Calm down. It hasn’t gotten to that point yet. I’m very, very sorry for the delay. It wasn’t intentional. I swear, it wasn’t."

Then he took a deep breath, pacing again, his fingers tightening around the phone. "The truth is... the delay happened because it seems what I wanted from you didn’t happen. The deal was clear you were supposed to withdraw the support you’ve been giving Cora. But up till now, it doesn’t look like that support has been withdrawn. In fact..." His voice grew more frustrated, "the shares in ZXZ have gotten even more complicated. And now, it feels like there’s someone else involved in all of this."

There was a pause on the line, a quiet tension that made James’ heart pound. "That’s why I called," James continued. "I need to confirm if you still have control over this. If you don’t... then I need to know why."

Immediately William’s voice came back cold and sharp. "James... what exactly are you saying? Are you accusing me of foul play? Is that what this is? You think I’m the one pulling something behind your back?"

James swallowed hard, knowing how dangerous this conversation was becoming. "No," he said quickly, "I’m not suspecting you of anything. I just... I really need to know..." His words slowed, his tone deadly serious. "Do you know anyone called... Mr. B?"

At that moment, hearing the name Mr. B, William’s expression stiffened ever so slightly. There was something about that name that tugged at the edges of his memory like a faint echo of a conversation he’d overheard in a place he shouldn’t have been, or a warning whispered to him years ago. It was familiar, unsettlingly familiar, but for the life of him, he couldn’t place exactly where or when he’d heard it. Still, the unease lingered.

His silence stretched for a beat too long, and in that pause, it was clear he was weighing something in his mind. Perhaps he truly didn’t know. Finally, William broke the silence, his tone sharp.

"What is that supposed to mean, James? Are you accusing me of being this ’Mr. B’ you’re talking about?"

James quickly shook his head, his voice hurried and defensive. "No, no, no, that’s not it, far from it. I’m not accusing you of being Mr. B. I just wanted to know if you’ve ever met or heard of someone by that name. That’s all. I just... I need clarity."

William’s brow furrowed, and after a moment he replied flatly, "No. I don’t know anyone called Mr. B. So what is this really about? Is that the excuse you’re giving for not sending me my share of the deal?" His voice hardened, each word clipped. "Because as far as I’m concerned, I’ve already done my part. I withdrew everything. My family withdrew everything from Cora, exactly as we agreed. So what’s stopping you from holding up your end?"

James hesitated, pinching the bridge of his nose as though the weight of the situation was pressing down on him. "Alright," he finally said, "since you’re not Mr. B, then there’s no problem. I’ll... I’ll send you what you’re owed. Any moment from now, you’ll have it."

At that moment William let out a short, humorless laugh, but there was no warmth in it, only a cold warning. "I hope you do, James. Because I’m giving you just today. If you fail to deliver what was required of you, then you’ll meet the side of me you really don’t want to see. And trust me..." His voice dropped into a slow, deliberate tone. "...you won’t forget it if you push me past today."

At that moment, before James could even say anything, the call cut off abruptly, leaving only the flat, hollow tone in his ear. His grip on the phone tightened, veins bulging in frustration. Anger surged through him, a hot wave that made his chest feel tight. He could not believe this. Up till now, nothing had gone his way, every move he made only seemed to drag him deeper into a pit. It felt like he was drowning, and no matter how much he fought, the water just kept rising.

At that moment he started pacing the room like a caged animal, his mind spinning in chaos. Ever since Cora walked out of his life, it was as if the universe had turned against him. The steady climb he once enjoyed had collapsed overnight, replaced with one disaster after another. The more he thought about it, the more it hurt, and not just his pride, but his entire sense of control.

First, there was the contract, the biggest deal of his career. A deal so massive it could have taken him beyond the heights he had dreamed of. Gone. Lost in a blink. And then came ZXZ, his prized stake, something he believed would anchor his legacy. That too was gone, and the bitter truth gnawed at him, it was gone because of Cora.

Emily had been next to leave. She didn’t even give him the courtesy of a long argument or a drawn-out goodbye. Just gone, like everyone else. Now he was alone with nothing but the echo of threats hanging over his head.

Now People were after him, angry people. Investors, business associates, and opportunists who all thought he was the reason the Victors and Global Investment pulled out from their company. Their calls weren’t polite. Their visits weren’t friendly. They didn’t just want explanations; they wanted blood. Some were already threatening him in ways he didn’t dare mention.

James stopped pacing and sank into the nearest chair, elbows on his knees, hands tangled in his hair. The thought pressed on him should he just swallow his pride and go to Cora? Beg her, maybe? Would she even listen? Could she even help? He didn’t know.

But then he remembered something, those sleek, luxury cars that came to pick her up the other day. At the time, he had convinced himself it was a coincidence, some show she put on. But what if it wasn’t? What if Cora really was connected to wealth and power on a level he had never imagined?

If that were true, then maybe just maybe, she held the key to pulling him out of this mess he found him in..