THE DISABLED HEIRESS, MY EX-HUSBAND WOULD PAY DEARLY.

Immediately James's eyes widened in fear as he tried to shake his head, but Oliver's grip didn't loosen.

"Is that not what you're planning now?" Oliver asked, his words burning like fire.

At that moment, upon hearing what Oliver just said, even though James' neck was locked tightly in Oliver's strong grip his windpipe nearly closing and veins bulging painfully across his temple his eyes widened in horror, not because of the physical pain, but because of the name that had just slipped from Oliver's lips. He had tried to hide that secret so well, but now it was as if his entire scheme had been peeled wide open in front of someone who clearly knew far too much.

"Abigail…" the name danced at the edge of his mind, his thoughts spiraling as panic crept into his gut. How the hell does this guy know? Did Abigail sell me out? No… no, she wouldn't. But the way Oliver's hand didn't tremble even a bit, the confidence in his voice, the certainty in his words it all proved one thing: this wasn't guesswork. This man knew everything.

James began to tremble more violently, not just from the pressure on his neck but from the shame and dread that rushed over him like a cold wave. Cora knew? That question hit the hardest. That would explain why she rejected his apologies without even blinking, why she didn't even look like she cared whether he lived or died. She knew everything every sick plan, every low move he made, and the secret meeting with Abigail that was supposed to remain between them. He thought he could play both sides plead for Cora's forgiveness while secretly conspiring to ruin her once and for all.

He felt like an idiot now. A desperate, exposed, foolish man. What have I done?

With his voice cracking, barely able to form words as his waist and knees trembled, James gasped out, "W-who… who are you? Are you Cora's brother or something? Who are you?" His voice was weak, laced with pain and fear. "She never mentioned… anyone like you. She never told me about you. Why are you." His words cut short with a choking cough as Oliver's fingers dug tighter into the side of his neck.

Oliver didn't answer at first. He stared coldly at the man before him this groveling coward who once thought he could manipulate a woman like Cora and walk away untouched. His silence stretched until James could barely breathe.

Then finally, in a low, deadly voice, Oliver said, "Who I am is none of your concern." His tone sent a chill through James' already trembling spine. "Just know that I'm here to put you on the right path… the painful one. I'm the consequence of every lie you told, every tear she shed, and every time you thought you were clever."

Oliver leaned closer, his voice now a slow whisper. "You're not sorry, James. If you were sorry, you wouldn't have gone behind her back to make deals again. If you were sorry, you wouldn't be working with those ladies to ruin her all over again. But guess what?" Oliver's tone sharpened. "You got caught."

He released one hand just long enough to slap James hard across the face not to hurt him, but to wake him up.

"Now, answer me," Oliver growled. "Those women Abigail and the rest what did they tell you to do to Cora?"

At that moment, James knew deep inside that there was no way out. He couldn't run anymore. Escape was no longer an option. Everything had caught up with him. The fear in his chest was so loud, he could hear his own heartbeat banging like a drum inside his head.

With Oliver's hand still gripping his neck, the pain was becoming too much. His eyes were red, his breathing short, and his throat was burning. Still, he managed to say in a weak and shaky voice, "If I tell you everything... if I open up to you, will you let me go? Will you let me go freely?"

Oliver didn't answer right away.

James coughed a little, his eyes filled with fear. He could feel how serious the moment was. "This is life and death now," he added, his voice almost breaking. "I need protection. I need help. Those ladies those women they are not ordinary. They are connected. They are powerful. They can hurt me badly. If they find out I spoke... they might not leave me alive."

He looked at Oliver with desperate eyes. "So I want something. I want privilege. I want protection. Even if it's just a little. Promise me something, then I will speak. I will say everything, everything I know."

There was silence. For a moment, all that could be heard was James gasping for air as Oliver still held his neck tightly. Then, slowly, Oliver loosened his grip. He let go.

James immediately fell to the floor, coughing and gasping hard, as if he had been underwater. His hands trembled as he wiped the sweat from his face. He was struggling to breathe, but at least he could now.

Then Oliver stood tall, towering over him, staring down with eyes full of power and calm anger. His voice came slow and cold.

"So... you want privilege?" Oliver asked, like he was testing him.

hearing what Oliver just says, James quickly looked up, nodding fast, his voice hoarse. "Yes, yes. I want... even if it's little, I want something. Please."

Oliver tilted his head slightly. His lips curled into a small, sharp smile.

"Good," he said. "You want privilege?" He paused. Then nodded once. "Okay. I will give you privilege."

At that moment, upon hearing what Oliver just said saying he was going to give him privilege James couldn't help but relax a little bit. His chest, which was rising and falling so fast, slowly calmed down. His beating heart started to slow down too. His shoulders dropped just a little. It was like someone poured cold water on fire inside him.

Maybe this was it… maybe Oliver was finally going to show him mercy.

Watching Oliver's lips closely, almost as if the next words that came out were going to decide if he lived or died. And honestly, they might.

In James' head, if Oliver mistakenly asked him, "What do you want?" James already knew what he was going to say. No thinking twice. He would boldly ask for the loan he took from Kingstone Investments to be cancelled. Just wiped off, like it never existed. Given to him for free, no questions asked. Yes, that would be his demand.

But what came next made his stomach drop.