Chapter 9: A Dangerous Proposal

Paulina’s heart raced as James’ words hung in the air, suffocating her. His demand echoed in her mind, the icy realization that he was making his move now—just as he had before. But this time, she wasn’t the naive woman who would hand him everything without a fight.

She took a slow, steady breath, forcing herself to maintain her composure. Her palms were sweaty, but she clenched her fists, determined to hold her ground. “You want me to step aside?” she asked, her voice tight, but she refused to let him hear the fear in it. “And let you run my family’s company?”

James’ eyes gleamed with that cold, calculating look she’d come to despise. “You and I both know you’re not capable of running things on your own, Paulina,” he said, stepping closer. His voice was smooth, dripping with manipulation. “You’ve been too distracted, too fragile since your parents passed away. You need someone strong, someone who understands how to handle the board, the business… and everything that comes with it.”

Paulina’s pulse quickened. The same old game—he was trying to undermine her, to make her feel weak and useless, just like before. But now, she knew better. She had seen where trusting James led her. She had been betrayed, destroyed, and left with nothing. But not this time. Not again.

“I don’t need anyone to handle things for me,” Paulina replied, her voice sharper now, more defiant. “And I certainly don’t need you taking over. The company is in my name, James. My father entrusted it to me, not you.”

James’ smile faltered for a moment, but it returned quickly, more sinister than before. “Yes, your father left it to you, but look around, Paulina. You’re barely holding it together. The board already has doubts about your leadership. They’re talking about bringing in new blood, and if you don’t act soon, you’ll lose everything.”

Paulina’s heart hammered in her chest. She knew James wasn’t lying about that. The board had always questioned her ability to lead. She had sensed their growing discomfort even before her parents’ deaths, but back then, she had leaned on James to manage those concerns. He had always been good at playing the charming, capable businessman. But she could see through him now. He was nothing but a predator, waiting for the right moment to strike.

“I’m not going anywhere, James,” she said firmly, crossing her arms. “I’m fully capable of running the company without your help.”

James’ expression darkened. His eyes narrowed as he stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a low, threatening whisper. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Paulina. We can work together. We don’t have to fight. But if you stand in my way, I’ll make sure the board votes you out. You’ll lose everything—your company, your wealth, your reputation.”

A shiver ran down Paulina’s spine. The threat was clear, but she couldn’t back down. She wouldn’t. She had already lived through this once—she knew what came next if she gave in. James would take everything, and she would be left with nothing. She had to be strong, even if the odds were against her.

“You underestimate me, James,” Paulina said quietly, her voice steely. “I’m not the same woman you married.”

James tilted his head slightly, studying her with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. “You’ve changed, I’ll give you that,” he said, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. “But change doesn’t mean you’re ready to handle the real world. You’ve always been too soft, too trusting. That’s why you need me.”

Paulina clenched her jaw, the anger building inside her. She had trusted him once, and it had cost her everything. But not this time. She wouldn’t be fooled again. 

“I don’t need you,” she replied coldly, her voice steady. “And the board won’t either once they see what you’ve been up to.”

James’ smile faded, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What are you talking about?”

Paulina took a small step forward, narrowing the distance between them. She could see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes now, the brief flash of doubt. He didn’t know how much she knew, and that gave her the tiniest bit of power. 

“I’ve been looking into the company’s finances,” Paulina said, her voice carefully measured. “I’ve seen the offshore accounts, the shady deals you’ve been making behind my back. The board doesn’t know yet, but they will.”

James’ expression darkened, his features hardening. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he spat, though there was an edge of panic in his voice now. “You’re not thinking clearly.”

“I’m thinking very clearly,” Paulina replied, her eyes locking onto his. “And I’m going to make sure the board sees the truth about you.”

James stepped forward suddenly, grabbing her arm with a force that made her wince. “You’re making a mistake, Paulina,” he hissed, his voice low and dangerous. “If you try to cross me, you’ll regret it.”

For a moment, Paulina froze, fear tightening around her like a vice. His grip was strong, and the look in his eyes was colder than she had ever seen. But then, a surge of resolve flooded her chest. She wouldn’t let him intimidate her. Not anymore.

“You can’t scare me, James,” she whispered, pulling her arm free from his grasp. “I’m not afraid of you.”

James stared at her for a long, tense moment, his jaw clenched, his fists tight at his sides. She could see the fury simmering beneath the surface, the barely contained rage. But then, just as quickly, he stepped back, his face twisting into a cruel smile.

“Fine,” he said softly, his voice dripping with malice. “You want to play this game? Then let’s play.”

Paulina’s heart skipped a beat. There was something sinister in his tone, something that sent a chill down her spine. She watched as he turned toward the door, pausing only briefly to look back at her.

“Just remember,” he said, his voice quiet but menacing. “In the end, I always win.”

And with that, he was gone, the door clicking shut behind him.

Paulina stood frozen in the middle of the room, her pulse racing. She knew this wasn’t over—not by a long shot. James was going to come at her with everything he had, and she had to be ready. She couldn’t afford any mistakes. Not now.

She walked over to the window, watching as James’ car pulled out of the driveway, disappearing into the night. Her mind raced with everything that had just happened. She had stood her ground, but at what cost? How far would James go to take her down?

As she turned away from the window, her eyes caught the small USB drive sitting on the table—the one Elijah had given her earlier. Proof, he had said. Proof that James was planning to steal everything. She reached for it, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked it up.

She needed to know the truth. And she needed it fast.

Her father’s warning echoed in her mind once more: *Trust no one.*

Paulina exhaled slowly, her resolve hardening. She would take down James, no matter the cost. But she had to be careful. The stakes were higher than ever, and one wrong move could ruin everything.

As she plugged the USB drive into her laptop, she knew this was just the begi

nning of a long, dangerous game.

And she had no intention of losing