Chapter 65
Kristin shook her head, not uttering a word.
Of course, she was filled with regret.
But regret was as useless as a chocolate teapot.
What she regretted wasn’t her lack of compromise with James back then, but rather… why the heck she didn’t kick the bucket in her birth year.
“Have a rest, and I’ll whip up some dinner,” Kristin said with a voice so low it dripped with formality and detachment.
James frowned and sauntered over to the floor–to–ceiling window to light up a cigarette..
Kristin’s current vibe was obviously not what he was gunning for.
But just because she was Kristin.
“Bill, drop a line to Linda’s agent and tell her she’s been too big for her britches lately. Have her lay low, no biz gigs or roles for the next half a year.” James ordered coldly over the phone.
On the other end, Bill got the memo. Linda was getting iced for a good six months.
All because she had the gall to ruffle Kristin today.
“Got it, Mr. Bryce.
After hanging up. James turned to look at Kristin bustling about in the kitchen.
Her hair was loosely pinned up, her frame gaunt, her skin so pale it nearly glowed.
From James‘ perspective, Kristin was drop–dead gorgeous, the kind that made it hard to look
away.
Six years back, when James first clapped eyes on Kristin, he thought she was the kind of princess meant to be caged in gold, a trophy for all to admire.
But now, he felt an urge to hide her away and keep her all to himself away from prying eyes.
“Sure you don’t wanna glance at the contract?” Ditching the cigarette butt, James stepped into the kitchen and wrapped his arms around Kristin from behind.
Kristin tensed up, almost dropping the kitchen knife on her foot, but James was quick to catch
- it.
“No need…” Replying, she shook her head.
“I didn’t bring you here to play nanny…” James‘ voice was deep and raspy, a reminder he kept drilling into Kristin.
He had a strong impulse towards Kristin, but at least in this regard, he would respect her choice.
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Chapter 65
Kristin numbly stared at the noodles bolling in the pot, her hands slowly dropping to her sides.
“James, it’s not like you’re short on women.” James did never had a shortage of women.
“I’m not short on nannies either,” James let go of Kristin and leaned back, teasing.
Kristin got it. James was the kind of guy who wanted what he couldn’t have, but once he had it. he might not cling on so tightly.
“Today… I ran into Linda. She’s stunning, a real head–turner, the type that shines no matter where she stands.” Kristin turned off the stove and faced James. “There’s no point… wasting your energy on someone like me. You won’t like it.”
Compared to a shining star like Linda, she felt dull and lackluster.
Kristin untied her apron and tossed it aside, slowly unbuttoning her shirt. The scars on her body were a horror show, the bruises frighteningly vivid.
The marks from her time in the clink hadn’t faded completely. Her wrists were laced with ugly scars from countless suicide attempts.
James, the kind of guy who demanded the ultimate from women, at the very least perfection.
And she… was a shattered porcelain pot, glued back together, too cheap and tawdry.
James stood rigid, his fingers clenched tight.
“Does this look valuable to you?” Kristin chuckled bitterly, as if she wouldn’t fetch a dime even on the streets.
“Rest up.” James finally said, his voice low. “When you’ve made up your mind, see Bill for the contract. Use the card as you like, and hit up Bill if you’re short on cash.”
James turned and bolted, practically fleeing.
At the sight of Kristin’s bruised body, a complex storm of emotions in him was stirred.
Kristin let out a self–deprecating laugh, picked up her shirt from the floor, and crouched there for a long time.
No man would give her a second look now. If they knew the vile things she’d been through. they’d probably not want to lay eyes on her again.
At the Nightlight Club, James had left his place, nursing a drink alone at the bar.
“Mr. Bryce…” Upon hearing that James was solo drinking, Linda barged into the room and started clinging to him. “I know I messed up…”
She heard from her agent that James was planning to put her on ice.
She had been with James for three years. Her no–name status from a dance academy to her current success was all thanks to James.
Although she’d made her nest egg over the years, what woman wouldn’t love a guy like James?
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Compared to the sugar daddy hunters in showbiz, Linda hit the jackpot.
You know, the other bigwigs were either pudgy or had all sorts of quirks. But a hot and fun–loving guy like James was rare.
Of course, every female star had a thing for Rhett, but too bad for them, Rhett was a germaphobe who didn’t let any woman near him.
“What did you do wrong?” James didn’t shove Linda away, his voice a low rumble.
Linda was practically glued to him. “I shouldn’t have messed with Kristin…”
“Stand up.” James told Linda to get on her feet.
Confused, Linda stood obediently in front of him.
“Take off your shirt.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Linda paused, glancing around, though it was just the two of them.
She bit her lip. After all, he was her sugar daddy.
Undoing her buttons, Linda stripped off her shirt, ready to climb onto James‘ lap.
“Scram.” James cursed under his breath, downing a whole glass of booze.
Just like Kristin said, Linda was beautiful, her skin flawless and unmarred. Yet, for some odd reason, James‘ mind was flooded with images of Kristin…
“James…” Linda sounded hurt, not understanding where she fell short.
“Kristin is my red line. If you mess with her, I won’t hesitate to reintroduce myself.” James said. standing up and straightening his suit before walking out without looking back.
Linda was left stunned, watching James‘ departure.
After three years, she never knew any woman could be his breaking point.
Who the heck was Kristin anyway? She seemed pretty average to Linda.
When James got home, he loosened his tie and glanced around the empty room.
Kristin must have hit the hay.
Passing by the dining table, James spotted a plate of spaghetti, still steaming and not clumped together.
Clearly, Kristin had just whipped it up and left it on the table.
Instinctively, he glanced towards the guest room and tossed his coat aside. For some reason, he found the aroma of the spaghetti irresistible.
After scarfing down a few bites, James pressed his hand against his forehead. Annoyed, he yanked off his tie and threw it aside, then slammed his fist onto the dining table,
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Chapter 65
sending the plate crashing to the floor.
Images of Kristin covered in bruises and purple marks haunted his mind.
He had left Kristin to languish in jail for five years.
He had stood by and done nothing while Vincent and the Turner family ripped away her dignity.
Kristin, hearing the commotion, panicked and came out. She saw James in a sorry state in the dining area, clearly plastered.
Bowing her head to get him some water, Kristin crouched down and silently started picking up the pieces.
“Get up…” James‘ voice was hoarse.
Kristin didn’t budge, continuing to silently clean up the mess.
“I said get up!” James yanked Kristin to her feet, his hands bracing the table as he cornered
her.
Kristin was scared stiff by James‘ fury, her hands trembling as she tried to push him away.
James breathed intensely, just staring at Kristin, his voice rough. “You can make demands…”
He wanted Kristin to lean on him and she could ask for anything.
Whatever she wanted, he was loaded enough to provide.
