Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 1459

Hearing this, the "Emmy" sitting quietly beside James finally looked up. A natural, gentle smile graced her lips as she spoke in a soft tone. "Brian, what do you mean? The atmosphere here is lovely. How could I not be used to it? It is just getting a bit late, and I was distracted thinking about the two children at home." As she spoke, she leaned against James with perfect naturalness and continued smiling at Brian. "Since we are all here, do you think it is time to invite Shelly out? We can all sit together, get straight to the point, and resolve what needs resolving. When we have more time another day, we will formally visit and enjoy a few drinks with you."

Brian stared at "Emmy" for several seconds, completely failing to realize that the woman speaking to him was nothing more than a compilation of mechanical code. He genuinely believed his niece-in-law had regained her memory and become even more articulate than before. Little did he know, her flawless responses were the result of foundational logic James had pre-programmed on their way over. Mini's powerful AI algorithms were more than capable of handling any conversation, adapting her tone perfectly to whomever she faced.

Brian suddenly burst into loud laughter and set his teacup down on the coffee table. "Alright. Since my niece-in-law is being so straightforward, let us bring Shelly down!"

Within minutes, two maids escorted Shelly down the staircase. The moment her appearance registered, the falsely warm atmosphere in the living room froze instantly. She was drenched from head to toe, looking utterly wretched. Her elegantly embroidered dress clung tightly to her skin, and even the expensive mink shawl draped over her shoulders drooped heavily with water. The once high-and-mighty matriarch of the Nelson family now looked like a dying madwoman. Matted hair stuck to her face, and her heavily swollen cheeks bore clear, livid handprints. Her hands were covered in gruesome, bloody scratch marks that were shocking to witness. Despite the underfloor heating warming the villa, she shivered uncontrollably, her expression fractured to the point of complete delirium.

James's pupils constricted sharply. A terrifying frost gathered in his eyes, and the innate brutality in his bones became almost impossible to suppress. "Brian, what is the meaning of this?"

Brian leaned back against the sofa with agonizing slowness. He took a drag from his cigar and exhaled a thick ring of smoke, looking entirely unbothered. "James, please do not misunderstand. The injuries on her face were courtesy of your uncle Ken. He beat her and then threw her out of the house. As for her looking like a drowned rat, that was Martha's doing. Her people pushed Shelly into the frozen lake." He flicked his cigar ash and continued in a tone of feigned helplessness. "Fortunately, my men were nearby and fished her out in time. Otherwise, you would be looking at a cold corpse right now. She was just so frightened and delirious that she absolutely refused to change her clothes, which is why she looks like this."

Right at that moment, the previously catatonic Shelly suddenly shifted. Catching sight of James, a faint glimmer of survival instinct gathered in her hollow eyes. "James..." She abruptly erupted with a burst of unknown strength, breaking free from the maids' grip. Stumbling and tripping, she threw herself toward James, her voice shrill and desperate. "James! Save me! Please save me! Someone is trying to kill me!"

Just as she reached him, her legs gave out, and she plummeted toward the floor. James grabbed her arm, hauling her up and pressing her down onto the adjacent sofa. Staring at his mother, his brows knitted together, and his voice was deadpan. "Where is your personal bodyguard? Where did Wiona go?"

Shelly shuddered violently, as if only just registering the question. "Bodyguard... right, bodyguard..." She babbled incoherently while clawing frantically at her own hair, terror swimming in her eyes. "She was lured away! It was Martha! It was that bitch Martha! She wants to kill me!"