h4Chapter 199: Chapter 199/h4

    Not long after the meeting was over.

    Everything Luxury’s staff, dressed in sleek, ck tailored uniforms that shimmered subtly under the evening lights, walked closely beside Cora. Their demeanor was respectful yet firm each of them carefully positioned around her like a private security escort. One of them held the Diamond Dress Boss, its case elegant and glowing faintly through the translucent protective box. It was a symbol of wealth, beauty, and now, power.

    As they reached her car an obsidian ck Mercedes-Maybach parked just beside the main entrance the staff carefully ced the dress in the backseat with gloved hands, making sure not even a fingerprint would tarnish its perfection. Then, in a synchronized motion, they all gave Cora a formal bow before stepping back and dispersing into the building.

    Cora stood alone for a brief second.

    Her hair fluttered slightly in the breeze, her hand reaching for the car door. But before she could open it.

    A firm hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

    "Cora! I knew you’d be here. That’s why I waited... all this while."

    The voice was rushed, almost desperate,ced with guilt and longing. But Cora didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Her spine stiffened instantly, and her jaw tightened so sharply it looked like she was clenching down a scream.

    She yanked her hand free with disgust, her movements sharp and full of restrained rage.

    "James," she said coldly, her voice low but deadly clear. "Don’t you ever hold my hand again. This... is thest time you’ll ever try something like that."

    Her eyes burned into his like twin daggers. She took a step closer not in affection, but to make sure every word she was about to saynded like a p.

    James blinked, startled, then immediately raised his palms slightly, as though surrendering to a force he had once believed he could control.

    "I’m sorry," he said in a rush, his voice cracking. "I’m sorry all of this happened. I didn’t mean for it to go this way. I swear, it wasn’t nned. I just wanted the contract... the one Emily promised me. That’s all."

    He tried to reach for her hand again, but she subtly stepped back.

    "Cora, please..." he continued, his voice now raw. "You have to believe me. We’vee a long way you and I. Why are you so quick to think I’m lying to you?"

    At that moment, Cora let out a smallugh not the kind that showed amusement, but the kind that was dipped in quiet rage. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at James like he was nothing more than an insect that dared crawl back into her light.

    "Do you actually think I’m a fool?" she asked, her voice steady but biting. "Is that what this is? You thought I’d just stand here and let you toss sweet words at me as if they still have value?"

    James blinked, stunned by her tone, but she didn’t let him speak.

    "I’ve stopped ying dumb, James," she continued, her arms folded as she took a step closer to him, eyes locking with his. "All your little games, the fake apologies, the emotional tricks I see through all of them now."

    She shook her head, scoffing again.

    "Emily left you, right? That’s what this is. Now you think I’m just some leftover option, something you can crawl back to because your new fantasy spat you out." Her lips curled in disdain. "You really thought I was still that Cora? That old Cora who would wait by the phone, hoping you’de back?"

    James opened his mouth, but she didn’t let him speak.

    "No. You don’t get to talk," she snapped. "You bit the very finger that fed you. And now? Now that your world is falling apart, you’re realizing the truth that you were nothing without me. That every step you took, every sess you imed, it all came because I pushed you forward."

    Her voice trembled slightly, not with weakness but with fury.

    "If it was that easy, James," she said, leaning closer, "then why haven’t you done it by yourself? Why haven’t you made it on your own without riding on my back?"

    Hearing what Cora just said, James clenched his fists, trying to say something, but Cora waved a dismissive hand.

    "Don’t even try. Don’t you dare stalk me again," she warned coldly. "Because if you do, James, I swear, I will not take it lightly with you. I’m not the same girl I allowed you toyed with anymore ."

    She turned, her heels clicking against the pavement. "Have a nice day, because you will not have any soon" she added, without looking back.

    But just as she took one step forward, she heard the sound.

    A shuffle, then a weight on her leg.

    Cora gasped as she turned around sharply and there was James, on his knees, clinging to her leg.

    At that moment, James gripped Cora’s leg even tighter, desperation written all over his face. His voice cracked as he stammered, "I’m not letting go, Cora. Not until you forgive me. Please... I’m begging you."

    Tears streamed freely down his face now, but he didn’t care who saw. His entire body trembled not from the cold, but from the overwhelming shame and regret that weighed down on him like chains. His clothes was wrinkled, his once-proud shoulders hunched low as he lowered himself further to the ground. In front of the woman he once left behind, James was no longer the confident man who once walked away. He was a broken man, on his knees literally and emotionally.

    "It was all a mistake," James continued, his voice soaked in remorse. "I misjudged everything, Cora. I got it all wrong. I thought chasing that contract, chasing that promise from Emily would make everything better for us. But I ruined it instead. I was selfish... stupid... and blind. Please, just this once, hear me out."

    He buried his face at her feet now, crying uncontrobly. His words were muffled, but the pain behind them couldn’t be ignored. "I love you. I’ve always loved you. You know that. You know I would never let anything happen to you. I messed up, I know. And I deserve every punishment you give me. Just don’t shut me out. Please... don’t leave me like this."

    At that moment his tears started felling onto her shoes.

    He didn’t even care if anyone was around, or if anyone had Secretly taking photos none of it mattered to James anymore. The pride he once carried was gone. All that was left was the shell of a man pleading for redemption.

    Cora stood there, frozen. Her breathing slowed. Her eyes sharp and calcting just a moment ago now softened, not with forgiveness, but with the pain of memories. The betrayal was still too fresh. But seeing James like this... not begging for pity, but genuinely shattered... it struck a nerve.

    She closed her eyes for a second, collecting herself, then sighed heavily.

    "Raise your head, James."