A Vengeful Ex-Wife
Chapter 71 Emerald Earrings

"I said the earrings suit you. You don't look old wearing them. If you don't believe me, ask James." Ethan always walked the talk. True to form, he took out his cell phone and called James. When Maria was about divest herself of the earrings, she was stopped by Ethan's hand. "James will be here soon. Don't take them off now."

James Xi? Maria stopped taking them off. For James' sake, Maria just sat there and waited, wearing the emerald earrings.

"Okay Ethan, what's going on? Why do you want me to wear these?" She stared at the young man in front of her.

As expected, Ethan's expression changed. He murmured in embarrassment, "I want to buy them for my mom."

Seeing that Maria was about to smack his head, he quickly added, "My mom is as domineering and unreasonable as you. So, if you look good in them, she will too." Dodging Maria's attack, he ran off. "James! James! Help!"

Maria was astonished by his comment-domineering and unreasonable? She had already caught up with Ethan and grabbed his arm, but she reluctantly let go when she saw James approaching.

And of course, Maria couldn't fail to notice the woman with James. Alina always stood behind him, worried that other women would steal this man away.

When Alina saw Maria with those brilliant green earrings, jealousy flashed in her eyes. She asked sourly, "Those look expensive, Maria. Where did you get that kind of cash, anyway?"

Ignoring her, Ethan yanked James to the side and put him face to face with Maria. "Hey James, check this out. You like?"

James glanced at the woman. She always emanated an aggressive beauty. Her fair skin together with the costly emerald earrings made her look naturally graceful and in charge. James had to agree with Ethan, and nodded his assent.

Seeing that James liked them, Ethan was even happier. He asked easily, "You could foot the bill, right James?"

Alina was stunned. "Mr. Nan, are you going to buy them for Maria?"

"Why? What's wrong?" Ethan looked at her, puzzled.

Alina smiled awkwardly. "Nothing. Just wondering why you want to give such an expensive gift to Maria." In fact, what she wanted to ask most was why James had to pay for it.

Plus, it was a gift for Maria. Alina was overwhelmed by the jealousy and anger in her heart.

"Do I need a reason? Because it's my pleasure!" Ethan didn't want to waste any more words on it, waving his hand as if he were shooing a fly.

He just looked at James expectantly, waiting for him to write the check.

Without saying a word, James took out a check book from his pocket and wrote a check for ten million dollars to Ethan. Alina was stunned.

Maria looked suspiciously at the two men. She noticed that because of tonight's dinner party, Ethan had eschewed his casual clothes in favor of an expensive pink suit.

As for James, he was clad in black as he ever was.

Maria recalled some of Ethan's previous comments about James. One time he said anyone would be lucky to have a man like him. Now she couldn't help wondering if they were gay.

"What's that look in your eyes?" A cold voice interrupted her wild imaginings, bringing her back to reality.

Maria saw that Ethan had gone to pay for the earrings, while James stared at her coldly. But curiosity was killing her. She couldn't help but ask, "James, are you bisexual?"

Startled, Alina choked on her own saliva. "Ahem! Ahem! Excuse me!" Realizing her gaffe, she apologized to James in a hurry.

'No way! It couldn't be. But James did send me messages saying he was into guys when he was in T Country. So it's true? And he likes Ethan Nan? Has everyone gone crazy?' Alina screamed inwardly. Ethan was just a college student. He had a part-time job as a vet in a pet hospital run by HL Group.

They weren't family at all. But Alina had seem James giving Ethan money more than a few times. Occasionally, Ethan would stay overnight at James' villa.

Ethan was a good looking young man with innocent, puppy-dog eyes, and fair skin. The more Alina thought about it, the more convinced she became. James liked men.

Hearing Maria's silly question, James' eyes darkened as he looked at her. Icy hatred came off him in waves. "You get one chance to take that back."

Maria just ignored him. This was too fun. She really wanted to piss him off. "Oh, I'm sorry. Were you keeping the affair between you and Mr. Nan a secret?" Seeing her like this, Alina couldn't stand anymore. "Maria Song, stop! Don't get close to James!"

Maria was close to James now, and the outfits they wore made them look like a couple. Alina seethed in anger.

Frowning deeply, James was thinking about how to deal with this audacious woman. "You're doomed this time, Maria Song!" She would be fired from that coffee shop for sure!

"Oh really, Mr. Xi? How many men will you try to rent me out to this time? Or maybe you want me cuffed and stuffed by the cops, or make the coffee shop fire me, or you'll try to have me killed, huh?" Maria recited a litany of all his tricks he'd tried before.

James realized that he tried to get rid of this woman so many times, but she still stood in front of him, safe and sound. He racked his brain trying to figure it out. What could he say to break her? "Or do you wan me to prevent you from going to the cemetery for the rest of your life?"

His words really made Maria's face change dramatically. Anger burst from within her. She warned him with a growl, stressing each syllable, "Try it. Maybe I can't do anything to you, but think of Alina. You want something to happen to her?"

Alina was speechless. Why did Maria drag her into it? She was innocent! But she was much happier than anyone else to see them fighting. Hearing the threat, she moved closer to James, pretending to be scared. "Maria, we're cousins. I've done nothing — '

"Shut up!" Without giving her cousin a chance to finish, Maria continued to threaten the CEO. "If you don't want your engagement ceremony to be a funeral, leave me alone!"

"Are you seriously threatening me?"

"I don't believe I stuttered, James Xi. Yes I want to remarry you, but that doesn't mean you can't push me too far! If you continue to treat me like a whore, I'll make sure even worse happens to Alina!" "Maria Song!" Alina gaped in disbelief. "Are you crazy?" She just kept digging, threatening her and James. What was she thinking?

Fortunately, even though other people did care what they were talking about, no one dared to eavesdropping.

James shook off Alina's grip on his arm. He grabbed Maria's wrist and dragged her aside.

Everyone noticed what he did, and they exchanged excited glances with each other.

The whole banquet hall went quiet.

People were wondering what was going on. Had James abandoned his new girlfriend and gone back to his ex? At this moment, Ethan's voice rang out behind them. "Wait a minute, you two. My earrings!" He watched them walk away and heard James say, "They don't suit your mom."

Ethan scratched his head. It didn't matter if the earrings weren't right for his mother, but they should give them back, right?

At this moment, Ethan thought about that old saying again -"One kingdom shouldn't have two kings." But this one had a king and a queen. So far, the king and the queen hadn't declared a ceasefire. He could smell the gunpowder from afar!

Alina, who was left behind, became the most embarrassed person in the hall. At first, Stella didn't plan to intervene, but when she saw Alina standing there, awkward and alone, she felt sorry for her. Also, she was afraid Alina would accuse her of not caring about her if she didn't try to comfort her.

Keeping this in mind, Stella took a deep breath and approached Alina, "Alina..." she called out tentatively. She was afraid Alina would blow up on her.