CHAPTER 132: CHAPTER 132

At that moment, Samuel leaned forward in the car, his voice low but firm as he spoke to his manager seated in the front passenger seat.

"Set up a meeting with her before," Samuel ordered, his tone carrying no room for argument. "Make sure it’s private. The usual place the one I always use to see her. No one can know about this. No press, no leaks, nothing."

Then the manager glanced back at him nervously. "You’re talking about... your wife?"

"Yes," Samuel snapped, his patience thin. "She’s the only key to fixing this mess. If I can get her to turn this around, make her say she was forced, make her blame the people who pushed her everything dies down immediately. The crowd will eat it up. They always do."

He rubbed his temples, anger simmering just beneath his voice. "Someone put her up to this. I know it. And if that’s the game they want to play, fine. I’ll play it better."

Then the manager nodded quickly. "No problem, sir. I’ll set it up immediately."

"Good," Samuel muttered, leaning back as the car continued down the street, his mind already plotting his next move.

**

James sat at his desk, phone pressed to his ear. He had been trying to reach William all day, frustration building each time his calls went unanswered. Finally, after nearly six four hours, the line connected.

"Mr William," James said sharply, not bothering with greetings. "Where have you been? We had a meeting yesterday, I haven’t heard from you since."

There was a brief pause on the other end before William’s calm voice replied, "I was about to call you... right before you called me."

At that moment, William’s voice over the phone was steady, but there was a cold edge to it, the kind of tone that made it clear his mind was already made up.

"As for what we discussed," William said flatly, "I’ve come to my decision. My support concerning ZXZ has been withdrawn. From this moment on, you can do whatever you want with them. I’m done. My family’s support is also gone. We’re pulling out completely."

On the other end hearing what William just said, James leaned back in his chair, a slow grin spreading across his face. He couldn’t help it, this was exactly what he had been hoping to hear. For days, he had been pushing for this, waiting for the moment William would cut ties. Now, it had finally happened.

"That’s good," James murmured, his grin widening. "That’s very good."

He knew what this meant. Without William’s backing, ZXZ was nothing. And James understood better than anyone how capable the Victors were, how quickly they would sweep in now that the path was clear. It was the exact outcome he wanted, and now it was finally falling into place.

Then William’s voice came through the line, breaking James’ thoughts. "So... I’ve done my part," William said carefully. "Now tell me what is it you really want to show me? What is it you want to give me?"

At that moment, upon hearing William’s words, James went stiff in his chair. His fingers gripped the phone tighter, knuckles turning pale. A sharp wave of panic shot through him because, deep down, he knew the truth, he had nothing. Not a single thing.

Every file, every scrap of information he once had on Cora was already outdated, burned through in previous plays that no longer mattered. And the one person who promised him more Lovi, had gone completely silent. No calls, no texts, not even a whisper, days had passed, and still nothing.

It was maddening. Frustrating beyond words.

William had already held up his end, clean and precise. He’d moved fast, cut ties where needed, and delivered results. Now the weight was on James’ shoulders, and he was standing here empty-handed. He couldn’t admit that, though. Not to William. Not when everything they were building rested on trust and timing.

At that moment he drew in a slow breath, forcing the panic down into a corner of his mind. A faint smile tugged at his lips, fake, but convincing enough to himself.

"It’s already in motion," James said into the phone, his voice steady, confident, hiding the chaos boiling inside him. "Less than two hours from now, you’ll have what I’ve prepared."

Then there was silence on the other end, so he pushed further, layering his words with calculated detail. "This isn’t just some rumor or empty claim, William. It’s something unique, evidence. Solid. It comes with video. Enough to tear down everything Cora’s built."

James leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling, speaking with the calm of someone who sounded like he had the upper hand.

"I’ll give you a small taste first," he continued, almost smirking. "An introduction to what’s coming. You know it’s no secret anymore that I was once married to Cora. That’s the door I’m opening. There are things about her the public doesn’t know, things I’ve been holding back."

His voice dropped lower, cold and certain.

"Once you have this in your hands, Mr.William... it’s over for her. This isn’t just leverage. It’s a game-changer."

At that moment, William’s voice came through the phone, calm but edged with curiosity. "So... I just have to wait two hours to get it, right?"

James hesitated for only a split second before forcing confidence into his reply. "Yes. Two hours, maximum. You’ll have it by then."

William paused on the other end, as if weighing every word. Finally, he said, "Fine. I’ll wait," and ended the call.

The room went silent for a brief moment. James lowered the phone from his ear, exhaling slowly, the weight of his own lie pressing down on him. He leaned back in the chair, rubbing his forehead, trying to calm the storm in his chest.

Then Emily’s voice cut into the silence. She had been standing by the corner the whole time, listening. Her arms were crossed, her expression stern. "I heard everything," she said plainly. "William’s already done his part, hasn’t he? He’s cleared his side of the deal. So it’s going to look bad really bad if we don’t do ours."

However James didn’t respond at first. He just stared at her, his mind spinning.

Then Emily stepped closer, her tone sharper now. "You do have something to give him, right? Something solid enough to satisfy him?"

James finally spoke, his voice low, almost frustrated. "No."

Emily blinked. "No?"

"No," James repeated, shaking his head. "I don’t have anything. Not a single thing."

He stood from his chair and began pacing, running his hands through his hair. "All of this, everything I just told William it’s a risk. A gamble. I’m bluffing, Emily."