with barely contained fury. "You think $3,00

his wallet and tossing it onto the table. "It's mor

onestly, James, maybe spend this on so

around at their smug, indifferent faces, something inside him snapping. Withou

ainst the side of Tom's head. Glass shattered, and Tom slum

ying to her mouth. "James

moment settle. He leaned close, his voice a low, dangerous whisper. "You think y

face paling. "J-J

m had gifted Pamela and shoved it toward Tom. "You like to

es's grip was unyielding. "Open you

ied, but she was no longer sure o

oke and cough as he tried to pull away. The humiliating scene left everyone

s face red with humiliation. James took a step back, his voice steady

ething else-a flicker of admiration at se

sneered, "I knew it was a mistake letting you into this famil

d out the diamond necklace he'd bought for her and placed it gently into h

rted in quiet surprise. For a moment, she

mining it dismissively. "What is this cheap piece of glass?"

. "You wouldn't know a genuine g

mpt. "You're nothing, James. And if you have any sen

Pamela, who seemed caught in an internal struggle. "I'll

He'd made his point-maybe even crossed a line-but he didn't regret it. T

him. He knew Tom would retaliate, maybe even Helen would find ways to make his life difficult. But wit

, defend his family, and-finally