Chapter 838

After navigating the business world for over twenty years, James could read these people's intentions as clearly as day. If he didn't have that kind of awareness, how could he have survived in the Yeager family, let alone fooled that old fox, his father- in-law?

Staring at the message, James was so enraged that he snatched his mother's phone and smashed it to pieces on the floor.

"This person was obviously trying to stir up trouble! You're old enough to know better. Can't you use your brain for once? Don't you have any idea how hard the last twenty years have been for me, being the Yeagers' lapdog?"

James panted heavily, but he knew yelling was useless now. He picked up the shattered phone from the floor and headed for the door.

His mother scrambled after him. "Where are you going?"

James shot her a cold look. "You will stay right here in this house. Don't you dare go anywhere."

Relieved that her son was no longer insisting on sending her back to the countryside, the Mercer matriarch nodded eagerly. "Okay, okay, I won't go anywhere. I'll wait for you to come back. Will you be home for dinner? I'll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes. If you want me to go to the Yeagers and apologize, I'll go right now. I'll even get on my knees and beg your father-in-law if that's what it takes."

James spun around, his patience gone. "For God's sake, stop trying to embarrass me further! Just stay home. If you can't manage that, I'll have someone escort you back to the country immediately."

After that, the Mercer matriarch didn't dare say another word. As James drove, his anger churned. But once he calmed down, a suspect began to form in his mind. To confirm his theory, he went straight to his company to review the security footage from the meeting. Whoever had set up this little drama for him wouldn't have missed the show.

Sure enough, the surveillance

P

footage revealed a suspicious figure. A person in a baseball cap and a windbreaker had walked right in through the main entrance. But once inside, he didn't see anyone dressed strangely. Instead, he spotted a wormian hiding among his

employees. He immediately had the image magnified. He recognized her build at once. It was Patti Yale.

That damned woman. She must have been holding a grudge after he and his wife tricked her, causing her to lose the baby and end up in the hospital. This was her revenge.

He should have known it was that bitch Patti Yale all along. He blamed himself. He'd trusted Sallie to deal with her, wanting to keep his own hands clean and avoid exposure. He never imagined it would lead to such a catastrophic backlash. He should have been ruthless back then, just killed, and none of this would have happened. He'd had

had the woman

everything arranged, but Sallie

interfered, and he lost his nerve.

James slammed on the brakes, pulling the car over to the side of the road, and

dialed Patti Yale's number.

Patti was in her rented villa, sipping red wine and admiring Gwyneth's sleeping form. She answered the call.

"Mr. Mercer, what a surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure? I thought this was your big day. Did

the company celebration go

smoothly? Your father in-law

be so proud of you. That marriage proposal you staged was truly spectacular. I just didn't expect such a dramatic twist. Your acting skills are even better than mine, Mr. Mercer."

Hearing Patti's voice, James gritted his teeth so hard they audibly scraped together. He felt a primal urge to reach through the phone, drag her out, and tear her limb from limb.

"Patti Yale, I really underestimated you. I should never have gone easy on you."

Patti scoffed. "You're hilarious, Mr. Mercer. When have you ever gone easy on me? When have you ever let me go? Didn't you kick my baby out of me? You and your wife are quite the team. Now I have nothing, and my health is ruined. Don't tell me you're planning to deny all responsibility."