Chapter 164 James Shares

• Theodore was surprised to see James in his office. He smiled and said, “What a pleasant surprise, Mr Johnson. How may I help you?” James smiled back at him and replied, “I need some advice, Mr Cole, regarding my marriage.” Theodore laughed out loud and said, “I’m sorry Mr Johnson, I won’t be able to take your case because I don’t like you. Your mother and your wife bullied my sister-in-law while she was married to you. Please leave my office; I don’t understand what you are doing on my doorstep, since there are so many Law Firms in this area.” James was not offended at all. He smiled at him and said, “Mr Anthony promised to take me to dinner after I saved his daughter-in-law, so I’m here to collect my debt.” Theodore frowned when James reminded him about that incident. He took an invitation card from his suit jacket and said, “I apologize on my Uncle’s behalf, let me invite you to my sister-in-law’s baby shower. You don’t have to bring anything. If you can excuse me, I’m exhausted. I want to go home to rest.” James looked at him and said, “If I didn’t help your sister-in-law that day, do you think you would be able to hold a baby shower? As I said before, I need your help.” Theodore didn’t want his uncle to owe James. He then decided to listen to him. He ushered him to the private room. “How may I help you, Mr Johnson?” James smiled and replied, “Thank you Mr Cole for seeing me at such short notice, I need to pick your brain. If I want to divorce Serene, will I be forced by the court to give her alimony?” Mr Cole smiled and replied sarcastically, “I think you know the answer to that question, Mr Johnson, since it’s not the first time you got married. How much did you give my sister-in-law when you divorced her?” James scratched his head and replied, “I didn’t give her anything because my father had already helped her father. Also, our marriage was in name only.” Theodore laughed out loud and said, “Mr Johnson, don’t make me laugh, is your marriage with Serene not in name only as well? Didn’t you marry her because she was carrying your baby?” James looked uncomfortable and replied, “That’s true that I married her because of the baby. Hence, I don’t want to abandon her without giving her alimony. Also, her parents passed away and they didn’t leave anything for her. I think it’s fair to give her something to fall on.” Theodore shook his head and asked, “Have you signed an Antenuptial Agreement to regulate the terms and conditions of your marriage?” James shook his head and replied, “We didn’t sign anything? Is it possible to sign it now?” Theodore looked at James and said, “It’s too late to sign the Antenuptial Agreement now. Since you failed to regulate the terms and conditions of your marriage, you are automatically married in Community of Property. Do you understand what it means?” James shook his head, then Theodore said, “It means the assets that you both have will be divided equally should you divorce. In this case, since young Mrs Johnson doesn’t have any assets, she will benefit when she divorces you.” James was so shocked he didn’t want Serene to get her hands on his father’s company shares. His father gave him a 25% share in the Johnson Group. He decided to give all his shares to his son with a condition. “Mr Cole, I want to transfer all my shares to my son. Kindly draw a contract for me stating that should my wife harm my son in any way, the shares would be transferred to my father.” Theodore laughed at James and said, “Mr Johnson, your wife would never harm your baby because he’s her trump card.” However, he quickly drew the contract after James signed the contract, Theodore gave James a copy he then kept the original in the file cabinet. James thanked him and he then left Mr Cole’s office with a heavy heart. Life is full of surprises. Who knew that there would be a time when James wished he had never met Serene Logan?
• He drove his car home. When he entered the living room, he was surprised to see his mother sitting on the sofa with a blank expression on her face. He walked to her and sat next to her and said, “What is wrong Mom?” Her mother didn’t hear him; she was looking blankly at the wall. James panicked. He shook his mother’s shoulders. His mother turned her head and looked at him. “What is wrong Mom?” asked James. His mother shook her head and replied, “It’s nothing Son.” James held his mother’s arm and said, “Mom, is everything alright between you and Dad?” His mother shook her head with tears flowing down her face and replied, “Your Dad doesn’t love me anymore, and he wants to divorce me.” James looked at his mother and asked, “Do you blame him Mom?” His mother was so disappointed when she heard James response; she was hoping that James would be on her side. She smiled and replied, “I know that I was wrong, but I didn’t mean any harm by giving your wife moral support, since she doesn’t have any family. Son, I left your wife alone at her apartment, please go and keep her company.” James looked at his mother frowning and replied, “Mom, I don’t want to see Serene right now. I’m so upset about her embarrassing my Dad. I met with my lawyer. I’m going to divorce Serene after giving birth, and then I will apply for sole custody of my son.” His mother was so shocked she looked at her son, but she didn’t utter a word. James then walked to his father’s study room to let him know about his shares. He knocked on the door, and then he opened the door. His father was resting on the sofa. James sat on the chair and said, “Dad, I decided to transfer my shares to my son with the condition that should Serene harm him, all the shares will be transferred to you.” His father was not happy to hear that and asked, “Son, why did you transfer the shares to me should something happen to my grandson?” James replied, “Mr Cole told me that since we are married in Community of Property, our assets will be divided equally, I don’t want Serene to be part of your company.” His father understood where his Son coming from then he nodded his head. James looked at his father and said, “Dad, please forgive my mother, she seems remorseful.” His father smiled and replied, “I gave your mother one last chance because I still love her. However, should she disrespect me again, I will serve her with the divorce papers.” James hugged his father and thanked him and said, “Mom told me that she left Serene alone in the apartment, do you mind if I bring her back since she is heavily pregnant?” His father told him to fetch her. James then thanked his father and walked out of the study room.