Chapter 401
Chapter 401
Lucia was widely mocked online. She was too afraid to go out during the day, and she’d be stalked whenever she ventured out at night in just half a month, she had aged noticeably.
That night, she slipped but, bundled up tightly from head to toe.
She wanted to get some money back from Kyle to improve her living conditions. They arranged to meet at a budget motel.
Kyle barely recognized her. “Damn, you look like you’ve been breaking rocks.”
Lucia pulled off her hat and mask, her face gaunt and exhausted. She slumped onto the edge of the bed and muttered, “Just some family stuff.”
“Are you taking care of Audrey?” Kyle chuckled. “She’s amazing, giving birth to triplets at once. That’s a golden ticket to the family fortune.”
Lucia lowered her eyes. She kept quiet about her falling out with Audrey. If she told Kyle the truth, he’d be even less likely to give her any money.
Lucia declared, “Absolutely! As the kids‘ legal guardian, whatever the Winifred family gives them is hers. I’m her mother–what’s hers is mine.”
Kyle grinned, his eyes crinkling into slits as he eagerly rubbed his hands together, nodding along in agreement.
Kyle smirked. “So, what, you’re here to give me more money?”
Lucia clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay patient. “You know she had triplets, and according to my identity, there’s no way I can give the babies
cheap gifts, right?”
The smile slowly faded from Kyle’s lips.
Lucia continued, “Look, I’m a bit strapped for cash right now. Why don’t you give me some money? I’ll give the kids some gifts right in front of Yann and put on a good show. I’ll pay you back later.
“If I can keep Audrey happy, we can squeeze even more money out of her.”
“That sounds reasonable,” Kyle said, “but all my money’s tied up right now. I can’t just pull it out.”
“Didn’t you say this was highly profitable?” Lucia put on an air of superiority. “We had a deal. I put up the capital, and you take the profits.
“Once you made money, you’d pay me back my principal. Now you’re telling me you can’t even spare it for a quick transfer?”
Kyle shrugged and said, “Yeah, I made some money, but it’s all tied up in investments now.”
He didn’t want to fall out with Lucia–she was too good a cash cow to lose.
Kyle said, “Look, all I’ve got on me is 10 thousand dollars. Just take it for now,”
“10 thousand dollars? That’s not even enough for gold bracelets for the kids. Or have you forgotten there are three of them?” Lucia
She shot a skeptical glance at Kyle’s phone but couldn’t see the account balance.
retorted.
Lucia said, “Just give me 40 thousand dollars, okay? Anything less would look embarrassingly cheap. I’ll just put on a show for Yann and give it right back to you.”
Kyle refused, but after much haggling, he finally agreed to give 20 thousand dollars.
He transferred the money to Lucia. Just as he was about to leave, the police raided the room and barked, “Show me your ID, please.”
Lucia was detained at the police station again. This time, the reason was even more absurd. She and Kyle were accused of whoring.
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Chapter 401
The officer was speechless. He’d seen plenty of sugar mamas keeping boy toys before, but a boy toy keeping a supai mamar That was afinst
Two individuals, not married to each other, were found sharing a hotel room with a transfer record.
if it’s they’re not whoring, then what the hell is it?‘ the officer thought.
Kyle dared not explain, and Lucia was in even less of a position to say anything.
Both of them were caught in an unspeakable predicament, unable to explain themselves,
Kyle was single. He just paid the fine and walked out. But Lucia, married yet abandoned, saw her husband refuse to come. Instead, a lawyer showed up, collected her arrest record, and left without a second glance.
“Marital infidelity constitutes an additional ground for divorce,” the lawyer stated coldly. “Mr. Winifred will also file another charge against you for conspiring with outsiders to divert marital assets.”
Lucia’s eyes welled up with angry tears. “Was it Logan who sent someone to stalk me all this time?”
The lawyer frowned, baffled by her words.
“Stop pretending you don’t know,” she accused. “Ever since I moved out, someone’s been stalking me. Sometimes they even bang on my door at midnight.
“He’s doing it on purpose, driving me to seek help from others, just so he can catch me in the act and publicly shame me.
“Don’t think I don’t know what he’s been up to out there. I’ve been turning a blind eye until now. But if he pushes me too far, I swear I’ll drag him down
with me”
‘Who knows if Logan has any mistresses?‘ Lucia thought bitterly. ‘Men of his status are always playing around. How many of them are truly faithful?‘
“If you want me to agree to the divorce, you’ll have to pay me substantial alimony. My standard of living must not drop below what it is now,” Lucia
announced.
The lawyer couldn’t be bothered to waste any more words on her and turned to leave.
She just didn’t get it. Lucia wasn’t even in a position to go down fighting.
Lucia had no idea if her threats had any effect. All she knew was that the money Kyle had just transferred to her was confiscated and returned by the police.
She wanted to reach out to the society ladies, hoping to borrow some money to tide her over.
Unfortunately, the society ladies all avoided her like the plague.
Those who disliked her simply hung up, while acquaintances with some remaining goodwill couldn’t help but admonish her.
“Everyone in high society knows you denounced Yann,” one of the society ladies snapped. “If you’re hell–bent on self–destruction, don’t you dare drag us down with you.”
No one would dare associate with someone who’d even betray her own family.
At her wit’s end, Lucia was once again hounded by Clayton for money.
Clayton said, “It’s Christmas. At least let me have a decent holiday.”
Lucia demanded, “Do you still want to remarry Audrey?”
Lucia’s eyes gleamed with malice. She seethed inwardly. ‘All my misery is caused by Audrey.
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Chapter 401
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Clayton frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I can make Audrey remarry you–but only on my terms,” replied Lucia.
Clayton said, “Go ahead.”
Clutching her phone, Lucia spoke each word through gritted teeth, “Audrey’s company is raking in cash: Once you marry her, her fortime becerias yours. I want 3 million dollars.”
Clayton’s heart skipped a beat. He thought, ‘3 million dollars? I know Lunessé made great profits, but is it really so profitable?
‘Since Lucía dares demand such an amount, she must be certain that Audrey could afford it, and that she can earn way more than 3 milion
‘If i could really remarry Audrey, I’d instantly leap into a higher social class.
“Deal,” Clayton said, his heart pounding.
His blood burned with excitement–it felt like he already had one foot in the door of high society.
On Christmas Eve, Logan chose to celebrate at Hillcrest Gardens instead–he didn’t want Audrey to be reminded of Lucia.
The whole family shared a silent understanding–not a word about Lucia was spoken.
The next day, Margot would traditionally visit her parents, but since Logan was at Hillcrest Gardens, she brought her whole family there instead.
It was Audrey’s first time meeting Margot’s husband. He was a gaunt, silent man who sat alone in the corner.
On the third day, Audrey took Yann back to her hometown to pay respects at George’s grave.
On the fifth day, Lucia called Audrey and said, “Audrey, I’ve been doing some hard thinking lately.
“I know I was wrong, and I don’t blame you for resenting me. Even criminals get a second chance–you’re not going to write me off completely, are you?”
“Just say what you want to say,” Audrey said coolly, cradling her daughter in her arms as Sylvie held the phone to her ear.
Lucia fell silent for a long moment. She seemed to be weighing her options. Finally, Lucia made up her mind. “Audrey, I want to apologize to you in person. But please, just the two of us.”
