Chapter 139
When Love Breaks by jack
Chapter 139
Chapter 139
Hearing this, Allenâs face went through a rapid palette of emotions, ending up with a shade that screamed trouble. âWell, well⦠weâre all family here, right?â he stammered, âNo need to keep tabs like this.â
Bryant, cool as a cucumber, laid on the charm thick, âOh, but there is, Uncle. Gratitude is owed where gratitude is due. Donât be shy about asking for it. Setting aside the financial help sheâs given over the years, raising her must have cost a pretty penny, at least ten grand, right? So, I figure I owe you a hundred million.â
âThe thing is⦠the thing isâ¦â
Allenâs face was a live show of colors, finally settling on a dee, red. âSeriously, after all these years, how could I possibly keep track of all this?â
âNo trouble at all. Which bank are you with? Iâll make a call, and weâll have it sorted in minutes,â Bryant said, pretending to reach for his phone.
Allen, terrified, practically lunged at Bryant, pleading. âMr. Ferguson, no need to check, really!â
He was petrified Bryant would uncover the truth about how he had almost maltreated me and cause him trouble. His guilt was written all over his face.
âWhatâs wrong?â
Bryant furrowed his brows, feigning confusion âI thought Jane was being ungrateful? Now that we want to repay you generously, youâre turning us down?â
Allen was still thick-skinned enough to say, âWho needs a hundred million? If you really want to give something, a million and a half will cover it.â
âHuh.â Bryant let out a scoff, âUncle, Iâve been around the block a few times in the business world, and I donât like unclear deals. You want money, fine, but bring me the receipts.â
He straightened his tie with a deliberate slowness, âOr are you saying, youâve just been âtaking care of her without actually spending a dime?â
âHow could that beâ¦?â
Allen was on the verge of jumping out of his skin but was too afraid of Bryant to raise his voice, âIf I hadnât spent money on her, how could she have grown up so well?â
âWhy couldnât she?â
A frail yet firm female voice came from the doorway. Aunt Cheryl, supported by a nurse, entered, âDid you ever spend money on Jane? She went to public school, came home to chores, and started part-time jobs in middle school! And you, how much do you owe her that youâre well aware of?â
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Chapter 130
Bryantâs expression darkened, a flicker of sympathy crossing his face, his brows knitting together.
I looked away, telling myself it was just an illusion.
Allen shot back, âI raised her, and now I owe her?â
âHer parents left her half a million, what did you do with It? Havenât forgotten, have you?â Allen, after a momentâs thought, retorted angrily, âWhy bring up something from so long ago?â
I was taken aback. Aunt Cheryl looked at me, Her eyes filled with shame and remorse, âYour parents must have foreseen the companyâs crisis and let that half a million with me, in case something happened, to take care of you. But he g nbled it all away⦠Iâve been too ashamed to mention it.â
Tears welled up in my eyes.
I clenched my fists, holding back sobs, and shook my head, âItâs okay, youâre not to blame. Mom and Dad⦠they wouldnât blame you eitherâ
Some things were beyond her control.
âWhy are you even saying this now, are you stupid?!â
Allen, unable to vent his anger on Bryant, turned it towards Aunt Cheryl. Seeing the money slipping through his fingers, he was about to leap from the ground and slap her!
I instinctively stepped in front of her, and just as his hand was about to hit me, s grabbed Allenâs arm with a swift motion!
Bryantâs grip was iron, his eyes cold as ice, âTouch her and see what happens.â
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