Chapter 55: Pivoting Threat

James burst into laughter, a genuine, almost incredulous sound that echoed through the room. Jide, who had been harboring concern, couldn't help but be taken aback by the sudden outburst.

"Jide, my friend, are you serious? You've been worried about this?" James chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "Come on, man, we go way back. You know me better than that."

Jide, still trying to gauge James's sincerity, questioned, "You're telling me you had nothing to do with Gloria? She's claiming you're the father, James."

James leaned back, still amused, and started recounting the encounters. "Alright, let me set the record straight. Yes, I've been with Gloria once, and yeah, I was careful. The other time, she claims we were together. I woke up, and she was in my room, but nothing had happened. I don't even remember going out with her the night before she showed up."

He continued, a smirk playing on his lips, "Tell her, categorically, to dream on. If she thinks she can tie me down with som