Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“If he wants to fight for the inheritance,” Joy continued, “you should hold off on the divorce for a while. Then, when the time comes, you can take a bigger cut and support

me!”

Her scheming was so evident that everyone could see it, but Leanne coldly shattered her illusions. “Are you out of your mind? We signed a prenup, remember?”

“Damn.” Joy’s dreams of cashing in big time got busted, leaving her wallowing in a sour mood.

“Well, let’s hope he doesn’t get his hands on the estate, or it will be too unfair!”

Leanne wasn’t quite sure what Curtis was planning.

Lately, it seemed Maddox was considering stepping down, and from what Leanne knew, he planned to pass the reins to his eldest son, Phillip Richardson.

Curtis’ return to the country at such a sensitive time sparked different speculation.

But Curtis had always been close with his brother, and his ElitePinnacle Investments had been the talk of the town for the past few years.

Brothers turning against each other? Leanne found that hard to believe.

So, what was he back for?

Leanne figured it was probably about the divorce. He must have been eager to get it ove

with.

Midway through their meal, Joy excused herself to use the restroom, and Leanne was le munching on her food when she heard a familiar voice. “What are the odds?”

She looked up to spot Skyler Nelson, a childhood friend of Curtis’, strolling into the bar arm in arm with a date.

Skyler glanced up at the VIP balcony, his expression fleetingly odd, but it disappeared quickly.

“Out by yourself?”

“I’m here with Joy,” Leanne replied, “Fancy seeing you here as well.“

“Just meeting some friends,” Skyler answered curtly, with no invitation for her to join. them.

Leanne wasn’t close with him, so the conversation ended after a brief exchange of pleasantries, and Skyler headed upstairs.

Soon after, Joy rushed back, looking grave.

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Chapter 11

“Babe, guess who I just saw?”

Leanne tossed out a wild guess. “Santa Claus?”

Joy wasn’t in the mood to joke. “Your husband”

Leanne paused mid-bite.

No wonder Skyler seemed to hold back something earlier.

“They were with a bunch of women, all dolled up to the nines!” Joy continued, “That scoundrel, he’s always out, never home. Bet he’s just out there messing around. He’s got no shame, does he?”

“Since when does he have any decency?” Leanne said, her eyes downcast as she absentmindedly nibbled on some fries.

Leanne had been chewed out by his mother just that afternoon, and here he was, enjoying himself. Joy’s temper flared. “Just back for a few days and already out painting the town red. Did Emberland not have enough women to keep him satisfied or what!”

Leanne shrugged it off. “Forget about him. Drink up.”

She could sit still, but Joy couldn’t. She glanced toward the VIP balcony several times, growing angrier by the second she finally stood up, abandoning her drink.

“I need to use the restroom again.”

“Twice in five minutes? You might need to see a doctor.”

“No need. Both my bladders are just fine.”

Leanne was perplexed. “You might want to get that checked out because humans only

have one bladder.”

Before Leanne could finish, Joy had already bolted.

Less than two minutes later, a commotion erupted from upstairs. The bouncer was barring entry. “Miss, this is a VIP area. You can’t go in there.”

“Why can’t I? Ask the people inside if they dare stop me!” Joy retorted, shoving past the bouncer and bursting through the door.

Leanne was stunned before hurrying upstairs herself.

Before she could even reach the door, she heard Joy’s taunting voice from inside the room. “Oops, my bad, wrong room. Oh my, some of these gentlemen look familiar. Are they the spitting image of my best friend’s no-good husband and his idiotic buddies?”

Leanne groaned internally.

Joy was reckless, and the men inside weren’t ones to be messed with.

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Chapter 11

Each of them came from a powerful background. A single displeased gesture from them could snuff Joy out.

In a split-second, Leanne considered turning back and letting Joy fend for herself.

Wasn’t it what best friends were for? They’d buy you breakfast but wouldn’t take a bullet for you.

When disaster struck, sorry, but every woman thought for herself.

A dark voice cut through the tension. “Joy, what the hell are you screaming about now?”

The speaker was Devin, the wildest scion of the Perez family, spoiled rotten by his kin, with a notoriously foul temper, and not someone you wanted to cross. He was also the toughest nut among Curtis’ circle of friends.