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."

James's face twisted with rage, but he maintained his air of superiority, glaring at everyone. "Who dares touch me? Don't forget who pays your salaries."

He was still lost in the dream of his brief time running the Monroe Group, dismissing the bodyguards with contempt.

I smirked coldly and waved my hand. The next second, the bodyguards moved in unison, tossing him out like trash in front of everyone.

Back home from the hospital, James couldn't keep up his confident facade anymore. He furiously smashed everything in sight.

Seeing her son like this, his mother, Clara Sterling, slapped her thigh in anger. "That wretch, how dare she treat you this way! She should remember, who else would marry an orphaned woman like her? Once she's married into our family, I'll teach her a lesson for her parents!"

James rubbed his brow irritably, silently agreeing.

His mother was right. I needed to be put in my place.

But I only acted this way because I loved him so much.

Though he was angry, he was still willing to give me a wedding as compensation for waiting for him all these years.

But if I kept being this reckless after marriage, he wouldn't go easy on me.

When Henry got home, it was already dark.

He strode toward me with his long legs, dressed sharply in a suit. Before he could speak, his eyes caught the faint slap mark on my face, and his pupils narrowed sharply.

"Who did this?"

I beckoned him closer with a finger. He hurried over, his fingertips gently brushing my cheek.

"James Sterling," I said flatly.

His fingers trembled faintly. Moments later, he looked up, meeting my gaze. "If I take care of him, will you feel bad?"

I snorted with a laugh. "Feel bad? Not a chance. I'll send him to his grave myself."

Henry's eyes glinted with satisfaction. He grabbed the first-aid kit and knelt beside me, carefully applying ointment. "You lead, I'll follow."

Thinking of James, he lowered his gaze, a cold edge creeping into his expression.

Meanwhile, James was eagerly planning his wedding.

When a mutual friend called, he was caught off guard. "James, did you know Emma's holding a wedding?"

Our friends had heard Henry and I got a marriage license but never held a ceremony, so they thought it was a rumor.

It wasn't until they received my wedding invitation that they believed it.

Those close to James immediately tipped him off.

James got a bit upset. "How can she be so reckless? A wedding is a big deal. The Sterling family hasn't even set a date, and she's spreading the news. So immature. How can I trust her to be Mrs. Sterling?"

His tone was angry, but his eyes betrayed a hint of joy.

He thought to himself that no matter how harsh my words were, I still loved him. The moment marriage came up, I couldn't wait to tell everyone.

That being the case, he could grudgingly forgive my earlier tantrums.

The voice on the other end paused, then spoke with shock. "James, what Mrs. Sterling? Emma's marrying the Galton family heir, Henry Galton!"

James froze. Unease surged in his heart.

Before he could have time to press on, his secretary broke in the house.

"Mr. Sterling, emergency! Galton Group and Monroe Group both announced ending all the cooperation with us!"

The cup in James's hand slipped, shattering into pieces and cutting his calf, but he didn't even notice. "What did you say?"