Chapter 839

James's voice grew even colder. “You brought that on yourself. Why don't you take

a look in the mirror? Did you really think I'd want a woman like you to bear my son? You think there aren't other women out there for me? There's a line of them waiting for the privilege. Who the hell do you think you are, trying to carry my child?”

The insult made Patti's face flush crimson. She smashed her wine glass, and the red liquid splattered across the floor, soaking into the carpet.

"Who do I think I am? That's a question I should be asking you. Who the hell do you think you are? A country bumpkin who thinks he's a city slicker just because he married up. Look at you. You can wear a suit, but you can't scrub off the stench of the countryside. You can douse yourself in cologne, but you can't wash away that dirt-farmer aura. How do you have the nerve to say something like that to me? I, Patti Yale, was born a blue-blood. Back in the day, a man like you in Greenvale wouldn't have even warranted a second glance from me. You really think you're something special, don't you? Only a blind woman like Sallie would fall for you. I guess all the real men in Greenvale must have died. Oh, that's right, I forgot you married into her family. Greenvale is crawling with rich heirs. Which one of them is so pathetic they'd have to go beg for scraps at someone else's door? But you're different, Mr. Mercer. You don't just beg for scraps-you get on your knees for them. And after all these years, what have you gotten? Today, you were still groveling like a dog, and they wouldn't even give you the time of day. What a joke, you hick from the sticks."

Patti's words were like daggers, each one striking a nerve, and James was so furious he felt dizzy.

"Patti Yale, you better stop stirring up trouble. Don't think I can't do anything to you now."

"Do something to me? What can you do to me? What could you possibly do? The ambulance picked me up from your apartment. If I, Patti Yale, turn up dead on the street today, the police will come looking for you first. Will your father-in-law help you then? Will your wife still stand by your side? Wake up."

Patti sat on the sofa, casually admiring her freshly manicured nails.

"Besides, Mr. r. Mercer, she wasn't the only one. You have several women who have given you sons. I wonder what Mrs Mercer oh, I mean, hạt Sallie would think about that What do you suppose would happen if I told her all about them? Would the Yeager family still want you as a son-in-law?"

That threat hit James right where it hurt. If Sallie and her family found out he had fathered several sons with other women, an apology wouldn't be nearly enough to fix it.

"Patti Yale, don't you dare. Just name your price. Let's put our cards on the table and stop playing games."

Patti finally had him on the hook.

"I believe you once told me you'd give me a hundred million, correct?"

James didn't hesitate. "A hundred million? Done. I'll give it to you right now. Where are you? I'll come meet you and write you a check on the spot. One you can cash immediately."

Patti burst out laughing on the other end of the line.

"So generous, Mr. Mercer. I didn't realize you were so free with your money But then again, with five women and eight sons to support a couple hundred million is probably just pocket change for you, isn't it?"