Chapter 167
Earl’s secretary reacted swiftly, signaling someone to bring over a chair that had clearly been prepared in advance.
She had reviewed the meeting list earlier and had considered reminding Earl to add a seat.
Truthfully, she’d been hoping Calvin and Yann would sit together.
After all, she’d been at the cruise ship restaurant during lunch. She’d seen how Calvin repeatedly shielded Yann from drinks at the banquet. In her mand. their relationship was already a given.
Especially when they returned from the restroom together, Yann with a distinct bite mark at the corner of his mouth, her imagination had already taken off, weaving entire scenes worthy of a melodrama.
As she set the chair beside Yann, her sharp eyes caught the faint teeth marks half–hidden on his neck. Her cheeks flushed instantly.
She thought, ‘Too gay. Wait… Did I get it backwards? Judging by the height and aura, Yann should be the dominant one. But bitten lips… and a bitter neck too… then maybe…‘
Just then, Calvin cleared his throat softly. The secretary quickly stepped back.
Notebook in hand, she stood to take notes, though her eyes kept drifting toward the two men.
Calvin glanced at Yann. Only after he gave a subtle nod did Calvin take his seat, positioning himself slightly behind the others, a quiet declaration that he was only there to observe.
While Audrey was scrolling through her phone in the car, a message came in from Emilia.
Her tone was polite, the wording cautious, an official–sounding inquiry about whether Audrey would be willing to issue a letter of forgiveness regarding Clayton’s unlawful restriction of her freedom.
In exchange, he was prepared to offer a financial settlement.
[No forgiving.] Audrey typed, then paused, thought for a moment, and erased it.
[Let’s see how sincere he really is.]
If she cut things off now, Clayton would likely face legal consequences. But it was better to dangle some hope, let Valerie squeeze out whatever value he still had, and when he was completely drained, let him fall for good.
Meanwhile, Emilia relayed the text to Clayton.
“Audrey didn’t turn it down outright. That means there’s still a chance.”
Clayton wasn’t surprised. After all, Audrey had sold her apartment to go to court, not just to see him behind bars.
She wanted justice, but she also wanted compensation.
“How much can you offer?” Emilia asked.
Clayton paused, then looked at his mother. “Mom, I need 300 grand.”
“How much?” Lillian’s eyes shot wide. “Has Audrey lost her mind?”
Emilia looked at her calmly. “It’s not what Audrey wants. It’s what Clayton needs to give. Without her forgiveness, he’s looking at a minimum of three years.”
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Chapter 167
Lillian’s face twisted. “This is insane…”
She hated spending money, but the thought of her son going to prison was worse.
“All he did was keep her locked up for thirty days. It’s not like he crippled her. Does that really cost 300 grand? And let’s not forget, if it weren’t for For John wouldn’t even be under investigation. We’ve forgiven her. Why can’t she forgive Clayton?”
Emilia held back from saying what she wanted. These were two separate matters.
John was being investigated because a factory director got caught and named him. Later, Riley’s use of illicit funds was backed by hard evidence.
Audrey neither used stolen money nor reported anyone. If there was any link at all, it was Lillian’s baseless suspicion that she’d stolen from the family
Audrey was the victim here, and she didn’t need the Patel family’s forgiveness.
From Emilia’s silence, Lillian could sense her disapproval.
John had to return the stolen money, and with Lillian having spent a good part of it, she now had to cover the difference. It was already a heavy bunten. Coming up with 300 thousand dollars for Clayton was out of the question.
“Mom, it’s just a formality,” Clayton said, pressing a hand to the bruise on his stomach. “Audrey sold her apartment just to hire a top–tier legal team. Giving her money now is just to calm her down. She won’t actually take it.”
Emilia turned to him sharply. She hadn’t expected this to be his plan.
What made him so sure Audrey still loved him? Loved him enough to forgive everything, just for the satisfaction of venting her anger?
She used to think he was simply emotionally tone–deaf in daily life but somewhat principled at work.
Now, he just seemed delusional and self–absorbed, an entitled man clinging to his own inflated worth.
“What if she does take the money?” Lillian objected, shaking her head. “We give in once, she’ll keep coming back for more. Get her used to this, and she’ll be impossible to handle.”
Then, a glint flashed in her tired eyes. “That money you left with me? I already gave it to Valerie. Tell her to cough it up.
“If it weren’t for her, you and Audrey wouldn’t have split. She loves you so much? Then she should help you clean up the mess.”
Emilia was at a loss for words.
Clayton hesitated only a moment before picking up his phone. After weighing his words, he dialed Valerie.
She was at the salon, getting her hair done and ignoring the call at first. But when he kept calling, she finally stepped out to answer.
“Hey, Clayton. My mom’s thinking of staying here long–term. To help with Luna, and… she just feels bad about how much I’ve been through. Your place is
a little cramped. I think we should upgrade. Something big enough for all of us.”
Whatever he had planned to say got stuck in his throat.
So the short visit had become a permanent move, and now they were shopping for a bigger home.
Ironhaven’s real estate market was at a high. Downtown listings were going for one thousand dollars per square foot. Even the outskirts were hitting 700. He was already strapped for cash. There was no way he could afford a new place right now.
“Vally…”
“If you don’t want to trade up,” Valerie cut in smoothly, “then let my mom move out with Luna. It’s no big deal.
“Didn’t you promise me 300 grand for the wedding? Use that. Just get her a small place. Luna’s a girl. Having her own house means she won’t be so easily
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Chapter 167
pushed around someday.”
Clayton rubbed his temples, disgust curling in his stomach.
Lillian, getting impatient, nudged him hard.
He glanced at her, sighed, and said into the phone, “Vally, I really need 300 grand right now. Just short term. Two months, tops. Could we maybe hold off
on…”
“Mom! Wait up!” Valerie suddenly raised her voice on purpose. “I’ll call you back later, okay? My mom’s leaving with the realtor!”
Then she hung up.
She thought, ‘You want that money back? In your dreams!‘
Clayton stared at his phone, jaw tight with regret.
Something about her had changed.
She used to be like a flower in a boutique, graceful, sweet, effortless. But once you took her home, you realized she was high–maintenance, expensive, and quick to wilt.
“Aren’t you a lawyer?” Lillian snapped. “You’re eloquent in court but can’t even ask your own woman for money? When you were with Audrey, she listened to everything you said. Now look at you, chasing after Valerie like a whipped pup.”
The words stung.
After Emilia left, Clayton finally let his frustration show.
“You want to know why I treat Valerie this way? Because of you! You said Wyatt had to take over Dad’s position, that he couldn’t afford a single stain. Said I was the one who had to carry the family’s debts.
“If I’d just stayed with Audrey and lived my life… would the family have ended up like this?”
AD
