A Vengeful Ex-Wife
Chapter 239 Peggy

"When the police took me that night, they told me that it was for killing my own son. I went down to the station and made a statement. Then I asked them who was suing me. Can you guess the answer? They said that it was none other than my ex-husband who had filed a case against me, and that I was sentenced to five years in prison."

Maria's expression remained neutral, and her gaze was steady as she looked up at James. Then she smiled. "At that time, I felt like a barrage of arrows went through my body all at once." He said nothing, but a muscle ticked at his jaw.

"I'd never expected you to hate me to that extend. You had practically killed me back then, you know."

James opened his mouth to speak, but he ended up closing it again without uttering a single sound.

"To make matters worse, I had the so-called special treatment inside the prison. For the first three months, not a day passed when I wasn't bloody or black and blue. All I'd ever eaten in there was sloppy leftover. I've tried to kill myself, too, a lot of times. So many times. But I always failed. I eventually realized that it wasn't my time to die just yet, so I stopped courting death and face torment head-on instead." She had only known salvation when Norman had appeared.

"I'm telling you all these things now, but not for you to pity me. I don't want your pity. But then, I guess you won't pity a woman anyway. You've always been cold like that. I just want you to know that I got this far thanks to the hatred burning inside me. It gave me the strength and courage to survive, to live every day as it comes."

And it was true. Hatred brought her here.

Hatred for him.

James knew this, too.

"You say that you had nothing to do with it, but that won't make me hate you any less. Why should it, when during my lowest, you were on their side?"

"Why did you still come to me then?" he asked, his voice hoarse. He knew why, but he still wanted to hear it come out of her lips.

"To use you, of course. After all, you have the power to make my revenge hurt twice as much with half the effort on my part." And the perfect examples would be Stella, Ronald, and Jonathan.

In spite of it all, Maria recognized the deep affection for James that lingered in her. It was just that she refused to acknowledge its existence. She had always turned a blind eye to the truth it presented.

"I know you are aware of my intentions, so why are you asking me? When we are together, you devour me for my beauty, and in return, I bask in the power you wield on my behalf. I'm sure your purpose runs deeper than it looks, doesn't it?

I will never let Alina or Judy get away with what they did to me. So if you plan to protect them, I suggest you replace someone to dispose of me as soon as possible."

They stood under the streetlights, both unmoving forces of nature, and locked gazes for a moment.

Then Maria turned away and made to get inside her car.

"Let's get you to the hospital first."

She opened her car door and paused to look at him.

"Thank you, but no."

Then she slid into the driver's seat and started the engine, and drove away without sparing him another glance.

In the Leopard Club

Ethan put a few bottles of liquor on the table. "Come on! Let's get hammered."

James was slouched on the couch with his eyes closed. He ignored the other man and said nothing. Ethan took the initiative to pop a bottle open and handed it to him. "Given your current mood, I think it's better for you to drink straight from the bottle."

James glared at him silently. But he accepted the bottle and clinked it with Ethan's glass.

"Okay, so let me hazard a guess. Your being like this must have something to do with a woman, and the only women in your life worth noting are Maria and Alina. Only Maria has the power to reduce you too such a state."

Ethan was feeling smug about his smart deduction, but then he remembered one crucial thing. The smile instantly disappeared from his face. "James, I heard that she was put to jail in the past. Is this true?" He had heard what had happened in the banquet. The news shocked him greatly.

"Mm." James never kept anything from Ethan. "She thinks I was behind all of it."

He heaved a defeated sigh. He had to admit that Maria wasn't the only one responsible for Arthur's death. He had been just as liable-he had spent all his hours working, and had never made any time for his wife, much less his son.

He had arranged for three million dollars as alimony, but it turned out now that the money had never reached

Maria.

Ethan spoke again. "Maria's family disowned her, she lost her son, and your own family kicked her out. Her husband not only forsook her, but also sent her to jail. No wonder she hates you."1

James took a sip of his liquor. If it hadn't been for the debacle at the banquet, Maria would never have told him everything she had gone through in the past, would she?

"Well, what are you going to do now? Are you still going to marry Alina?"

"No," James answered shortly.

"When will you cancel the engagement?"

"Not right now. I can't risk getting the whole company in trouble for the sake of my private affairs."

Ethan nodded in agreement. "Maria is so pitiful."

James ignored him.

A moment later, his phone vibrated. It was Lawrence.

"James, I've confirmed that Maria indeed has a criminal record. She was sentenced to five years and seven months for murder charges. She was apprehended one month after Arthur's accident." James took a deep breath, his eyes taking on a dangerous glint.

Lawrence continued with his report. "She served time at the women's penitentiary for a year and nine months, then somebody bailed her out."

"Who was it?"

"Norman Shen."

James fell silent again.

Maria drove to the hospital after she had parted with James. Her wound had been almost healed just a day ago, but now her skin was red again.

She gritted her teeth as the nurse applied a layer of medicine on the wound. When the treatment was over, she returned to her apartment.

Maria had grown used to James' company, and now that she had been coming home alone and spending her days by herself, she couldn't help feeling like something was missing.

It was quiet inside the apartment. She lay in the bed and forced herself to sleep.

Even so, it wasn't until three in the morning when she finally drifted into oblivion.

Day broke, and her alarm rang precisely at seven o'clock. Maria opened her eyes and got out of bed.

She went through her usual routine-she washed, got dressed, applied makeup, and ate breakfast. Before long she was putting on a black coat and a brown scarf, and then she was walking out of the apartment.

In the reception area of H City's women's penitentiary, Maria sat and waited quietly. Ten minutes later, two people came into view.

One of them was a handcuffed woman, and the moment she caught sight of Maria, her eyes lit up. "You heartless bitch! You finally came to see me!"

Maria smiled, thinking how this woman was still very beautiful though they had not seen each other for quite a long time. The inmate sported a shaved head, and there were more fine lines on her face now that she wasn't wearing any makeup. "I'm sorry, Peggy," Maria said.

The woman sat opposite her, all casual and nonchalant. "You're apologizing as soon as you see me. What, are you coming back? You promised me to live well after you were let out of prison."

Maria only gazed at her in silence.

Peggy looked her up and down before nodding in satisfaction. "Your face is fair and rosy, so much more beautiful than when you were here. Your skin is glowing, too.

You must be living a happy life with your man, eh?" Maria rolled her eyes and sighed. "You're still the same as ever."