"But Mr. James is still resting, and you seem upset, Gladys. I was worried you might disturb him..."
I didn't waste my breath on her. I shoved her aside.
"Move."
Leo woke from the commotion and emerged from the bedroom on his crutches.
Seeing the tension crackling between us, he frowned.
"What's going on?"
Virginia's tears spilled before she could even speak.
"Mr. James, I'm so sorry. You were exhausted last night, and I just wanted to let you sleep longer. I didn't mean to offend Gladys."
She sobbed in little hiccups, the picture of a bullied bunny.
But her ears were flushed a telling crimson.
Leo turned his head to cough twice before speaking.
"Gladys, you've really misunderstood Virginia. Apologize to her."
I ignored him and sat down on the sofa.
My gaze drifted to the display shelf. The framed photo of Leo and me was gone.
In its place sat a glass jar filled with paper wishing stars—folded by Virginia's own hands.
Scattered across the coffee table were undergarments that didn't belong to me.
"No wonder you blocked me at the door. You two have been busy, haven't you?"
Virginia rushed over, crying as she gathered the lingerie.
"These are mine—I washed them, I was just drying them here..."
"In the living room?"
I let out a cold laugh.
"With a broken leg, Leo, can you still keep her satisfied?"
Virginia's face flooded scarlet. She stammered, "Gladys, you—you really have the wrong idea. Mr. James and I... we haven't done anything."
"Enough!"
Leo glared at me, irritation sharpening his voice.
"Gladys, do you have to humiliate her with such vulgar remarks?"
"She's just an innocent young woman. Unlike you—your head is full of nothing but schemes!"
I looked up at him.
"What exactly am I scheming?"
"You're scheming how to humiliate her, how to destroy her reputation, how to make me bend to your every whim, orbiting around you and you alone!"
Leo's voice rose with each word.
"Yes, I let her stay—but nothing happened between us!"
"She took care of me. I'm grateful to her. It's that simple! Why do you insist on assuming the worst about everyone?"
"I couldn't care less whether people's hearts are pure or rotten."
I pulled out a folder.
"What I do care about is this: six months ago, you used James Group funds and resources to open a luxury auto dealership for her. Twenty million dollars—marked as 'charitable investment.'"
"Tell me, Leo—did you get board approval? Embezzling company funds to keep your mistress. How does that charge sound?"
Leo's face turned ashen.
"You investigated me? She's not my mistress!"
"Then what is she?"
I stood and walked toward Virginia.
"Ms. Matthews, why don't you tell me—what exactly are you?"
Virginia bit her lip.
"I... I just admire Mr. James. I'm grateful for his help. That's why I came to take care of him for a couple of days..."
"Admire him enough to wear my clothes and sleep in my bed?"
I gestured toward the master bedroom, its door left ajar.
"Leo, I saw both of you come out of that room with my own eyes. Explain that."
Leo's jaw tightened.
"Believe what you want. Virginia slept on the floor to take care of me. Nothing happened!"
"I don't care whether you slept together or not."
I tucked the folder away and placed a divorce agreement on the coffee table. My tone left no room for negotiation.
"Leo, return full ownership of the dealership. Sign these papers like a good boy. Assets will be divided per our prenup. We end this with dignity."
"Refuse, and I'll sue you for embezzlement and adultery. I'll report everything to the board. Care to guess whether those old foxes will seize the chance to throw you out?"
