I Bankrupted Him

In the third year of my marriage to the heir of the Nevoria elite, my long-dead ex-fiancé, James Sterling, suddenly reappeared.

He arrived with a lavish proposal gift, earnestly introducing his savior, Sarah Wells. "Emma, these past years, Sarah kept me going, cared for me tirelessly, or I wouldn't be standing here today," he said. "I've returned to Galton now, but I can't be ungrateful. I want to give her a place in my life. From now on, the three of us can live together."

I cast him a skeptical glance, a cold smirk curling my lips. "What did you say?"

James softened his tone, trying to reassure me. "Don't worry, we grew up together, and my heart always leans toward you. I'll give you a proper wedding. Sarah only asks to stay by my side. Emma, be reasonable, don't make this hard for me, okay?"

I studied him closely, confirming he wasn't joking, then made a phone call. "Spread the word. Cut all ties with the Sterling family, effective immediately. Send them back where they came from!"

The audacity of expecting me, the eldest daughter of the Monroe family, to share a husband?

He had some nerve.

My family had the power to make the Sterlings wealthy and to strip them of everything.

...

James, still holding the proposal gift, gazed at me with deep affection.

"Emma, these three years must've been tough, waiting for me," he said gently but with a hint of resolve. But I owe my life to Sarah. You're both equally important to me. I can't abandon either of you. From now on, the three of us will live together. Don't worry, Sarah's easygoing. After we marry, you two will get along like sisters."

My ex, presumed dead for three years, had not only returned but spouted such nonsense. I was torn between fury and amusement, confronting him bluntly. "Are you saying you want Sarah to be your mistress?"

James shook his head, his expression conflicted. "Sarah's pregnant, so... I plan to register our marriage with her. But I'll only hold a wedding with you. Sarah's background isn't ideal; she can't be the Sterling family's lady. Your status makes you the only one fit to be my wife."

So, I, the heir to the Monroe family and wife of Galton Group's young master, was supposed to be the mistress.

What a revelation.

I suppressed my anger, locking eyes with him. "What makes you think I'd agree to a wedding with you?"

James glanced around nostalgically, brushing off my words with a carefree smile. "Emma, don't talk nonsense. You've followed me around since we were kids. Everyone knows you're love-struck for me. When news of my death came from abroad, my parents gave up looking, but you? You nearly died of illness searching for me. Who'd believe you don't want to marry me?"

My gaze grew colder by the second.

So he knew.

He knew how deeply I once loved him, yet he vanished without a word the day before our wedding, followed by news of his death.

I refused to believe it, scouring the world for him.

Until I overheard his conversation with my therapist.

"Mr. Sterling, if you don't return soon, Miss Monroe might lose her mind. Her mental state is fragile," the therapist warned.

On the other end, his familiar voice replied carelessly. "Let her wait a bit longer. Emma's great, but tying myself to her for life? I can't do it. A few more years, and when I'm done having fun, I'll go back to her."

That day, I stopped searching, burned everything tied to him, and married Henry Grant, the Galton heir who had loved me for years.

Snapping out of the memory, I sneered. "You're joking, James. That engagement was just our parents' casual talk, not binding. Please leave. I wish you and Sarah a long, happy life together."

"Don't come back and ruin my day."

My good mood was shattered, anger twisting my gut.

James frowned, chastising me. "Emma, must you speak to me like this? I told you, Sarah won't compete with you. Why can't you accept her? Can't you be more mature?"

I bit back my temper but couldn't hold it in, grabbing a cup and hurling it at him. "Can't you understand plain English? Me, your mistress? Who do you think you are? I'm married. Stop bothering me. Got it?"

The cup shattered at his feet. He stared at me in silence for a moment before speaking. "Even if you're mad at me, don't joke about being married. I know you too well. You'd never marry someone else."

"Besides," he added with a sly grin, "Everyone in Nevoria knows about us. Who else would want someone... used?"

Before he finished, I slapped him hard across the face. "Get out!"

James dodged the slap with ease, his lowered gaze slowly lifting to meet mine calmly. "You haven't changed since we were kids. Still so stubborn," he said.

After a tense standoff for several seconds, he shrugged as if giving in. "Fine, I'll leave. Happy now? If I don't let you vent, who knows what you'll do to make trouble later."

He strolled downstairs with familiar ease, brimming with confidence. "Emma, be good. Wait for me to come marry you."

My fists clenched so hard they hurt. I immediately called for someone to throw out everything he brought.

Then I phoned the Galton and Monroe Groups, cutting off all ties with the Sterling family.

He really had a death wish.

Trying to mess with me.

My Monroe family could make the Sterlings rich or leave them with nothing.

After venting my anger, I attended a friend's jewelry exhibition, planning to pick up a piece she designed just for me.

Unfortunately, I ran into James again at the event, with a visibly pregnant Sarah by his side.

Spotting the jewelry box in my hand, Sarah spoke first, her smile bright and smug. "You must be Emma, right? Just like James said, a spoiled heiress who spends money like water."

When I didn't respond, she seemed to think I was intimidated, standing a bit taller. "Once you're married to James, all the money goes to me so you don't squander it."

I'd never seen someone so eager to dig their own grave. A cold smirk tugged at my lips, but before I could speak, James stepped in front of her. "Sarah means well. Don't throw a tantrum, Emma."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "What's it to you how I spend my family's money?"

Even when my parents were alive, they never controlled my spending. They'd only transfer money to my account if my daily expenses dipped below half a million. Who did she think she was to manage me?

James shook his head disapprovingly. "You're always so reckless. Emma, if I hadn't worked hard to maintain the Monroe family's business all these years, do you think you'd be living this pampered heiress life?"

"Sure, it's what a fiancé should do, but-" He sighed wearily. "I get tired too. Can't you be more understanding?"

I nearly burst out laughing.

Never mind that James faked his death for three years, completely abandoning everything. Even when he briefly managed the Monroe Group, he left behind a mess of bad accounts in just a few months.

A talentless rich kid who couldn't even spot his own team skimming profits had the nerve to claim my lavish lifestyle was his doing.

Utterly ridiculous.

Not wanting my mood ruined further, I decided to move to another part of the exhibition.

James stepped in my path, casually snatching the jewelry box from my hand and passing it to Sarah.

Then he turned to me, teasing as if I were a pet. "Apologize, and I'll give it back. I can't keep spoiling you, or you'll cause even more trouble when you become Mrs. Sterling."

If I hadn't been worried about ruining my friend's exhibition, my hand would've already landed on James's face.

I clenched my fists, struggling to stay calm. "James, have you forgotten how your family climbed to where it is?"

He'd grown too comfortable, forgetting that before his father saved mine, the Sterlings were just a failing small business.

My father, out of gratitude and my feelings for James, bailed them out time and again, securing their wealth.

Even for his father's sake, I never made trouble for the Sterlings over the years, keeping our partnerships intact. But now, James was pushing his luck.

Irritation consumed me. I glared at him, my teeth grinding. "I'll say it once more. Give me back my jewelry, or I'll personally see to it that your family's hundreds of employees lose their jobs."

James lowered his gaze, studying me for a long moment.

Then he chuckled softly. "Emma, don't talk nonsense. You're just a woman. What power do you have? After we're married, stay home and learn to be a proper wife. Stop saying things that make people laugh at you."

He winked at me, urging me to be generous. "We'll be family soon. I'll make the call and give this jewelry set to Sarah. When you're pregnant, I'll buy you another one. That's fair, right?"

My anger flared. I kicked James aside, grabbed Sarah's arm, and reached for the box.

Sarah yelped in pain, a flash of venom in her eyes.

The next second, she let go, and the jewelry box crashed to the floor.

The contents shattered instantly.

Sarah covered her mouth, her eyes crinkling with a smug smile. "Oh, I didn't mean to! Don't be mad, Emma. This set was too flashy for you. I'm not saying you're old or unattractive, just that it doesn't suit you."

James didn't reproach her at all. He shot me a sidelong glance. "Great, now it's broken. Happy now?"

He sighed helplessly. "Maybe it's better this way. Stops you two from fighting over it. Apologize to Sarah, and we'll call it even."

Looking at the scattered pieces, my heart sank.

This set was made from jade Henry had bought overseas for millions, painstakingly shipped back, and crafted by a renowned designer just for me.

It was meant to make me shine at our wedding.

Now, these two idiots had ruined it.

James let out a long breath.

He shoved a piece of white jade into my hand. "Just bought this today for a few hundred thousand. It was meant for Sarah as a token of our commitment, but I'll let you have it. Feeling better now?"

Sarah stared at the jade in my arms, clearly itching to snatch it back.

I didn't even glance at it. I threw it to the ground.

The jade split in two.

"The appraisal, design fees, and invoices will be sent to the Sterling family later. Get ready to go bankrupt." Without another word, I turned to leave.

James's suppressed anger erupted. He grabbed my arm and slapped me hard across the face. "Have you had enough?"

Sarah chimed in, feigning concern. "Emma, you're so immature. No wonder James is upset. That was our engagement token, and you threw it away. How can we even get married now? Apologize to James quick, and he might still marry you. Otherwise, you'll just be abandoned."

James stared at me coldly. "Emma Monroe, apologize! Don't push me to call off the engagement. Even if you beg me later, I won't look back."

I stumbled to my feet, tasting blood, my fury burning away all reason.

Looking for trouble? Fine, I'd give it to them.

The moment I dialed my phone, trained bodyguards rushed in.

My eyes blazed as I pointed at James and roared, "Throw him out. Then break his legs."