Dumped My Cheating Ex. Now I'm Sleeping Next to a Billionaire CEO novel Chapter 990

Lorraine scooped the little one out of his arms. James reached for a napkin and wiped his hands, every movement cool and distant. In an instant, all the warmth he’d shown while feeding pumpkin puree was replaced by that familiar, intimidating air. The dangerous James was back.

“What’s mine, I’ll take back. Every bit of it, plus interest.” His voice was low and steady. “That includes justice for Emmy.”

He stood up, his tall frame casting a heavy shadow across the room. The tension was thick. Teresa watched him, worry etched into every line of her face. She let out a long sigh.

“Whatever happens, please be careful. Think about the kids. Think about Emmy.” Her words trembled with real fear. The memory of James being attacked again and again overseas this past year haunted her.

Just as James was about to leave, a tiny voice broke the silence.

“Daddy…”

His daughter must have sensed something. She looked up, her lips quivering before tears spilled down her cheeks. Suddenly, she ran over and grabbed his pant leg with her chubby little hands, clinging to him like a baby koala desperate not to be left behind.

James felt a sharp ache in his chest. He knelt down and pulled her close, holding her small body against him. The sweet, milky scent of her hair made everything harder.

“Be good, Dolly. Daddy has to go fight some monsters.” His voice was rough, almost breaking, as he gently patted her back.

She kept crying, her words lost in sobs, snot and tears soaking his shoulder. She didn’t understand, only that she wanted her dad.

James steeled himself and finally handed his weeping daughter back to Lorraine. He turned to the rug where his son sat with his back turned, quietly building a tall stack of blocks, completely unfazed by the drama behind him.

“Jerry,” James called softly.

His voice was steady. “Before Grandmother passed, she told me she hoped you’d live for yourself, even just once. You don’t owe anyone anything. You have every right to chase your own happiness and future.”

Cadence had always been rational, a woman who put duty before everything else. She was quiet for a moment, then answered calmly, “James, I stand by your father to keep him sharp. He’s the leader now. Even the smallest mistake could set off a disaster. There are no small matters when it comes to the country. As long as he holds that position, I have to be there, keeping him on track.”

James didn’t push her. He simply took the stack of files she slid across the table. The Nelson family finances for the past year.

“Thank you, Cadence.”

When everything was finally in place, James took a short break, then headed over to Nelson Corporation. The elevator rose smoothly, the mirrored walls reflecting his sharp, unreadable profile. Just before the doors slid open, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Time for the hunter to step into the game.