Chapter 322
Samantha had always wondered if Bruce ever realized that if all his attacks towards her had succeeded, she would probably be lying six feet under.
She knew he despised her, but should it be to the extent he was willing to kill her without batting an eyelash?
“And why exactly is that any of your business?” Bruce’s voice cut sharply through the air, his gaze narrowing on Samantha, who stayed partially hidden behind Xander. “Who told you you had the right to decide what I can and can’t do p>
A tear pricked at the corner of her eye, but she quickly sniffed it back. She wasn’t that twelve-year-old anymore, the girl who used to break down whenever her father raised his voice.
Even so, Samantha was starting to regret following Xander to her father’s house. It was obvious the man didn’t appreciate her presence at all.
Samantha was about to turn and leave but was held back by Xander.
He gave her a pointed look that dared her to step out of there. Samantha silently sighed when she gave him a curt nod.
Bruce watched the interaction between them and could only scoff.
“So why did you call us here?” Xander began, taking a seat and gesturing to Samantha to take the closest seat to him as well.
Bruce swayed, unsteady, his eyes flicking to the empty bottles scattered around him. It wouldn’t take much for him to hurl one at his daughter again—it hadn’t cost him anything before, and it wouldn’t now.
“You need to return that president you kidnapped back to his people!” Bruce declared.
“Vice president,” Xander corrected with a slight grin on his lips when he saw Bruce squint his eyes at him. “Also, I won’t be releasing no one. He owes me money and has refused to pay it back. You of all people should know I don’t joke with my money, Bruce p>
“Mr. Belbvet is not someone you would want to joke around with. He has people looking for him, and it won’t be long before they find out that you’ve kidnapped their vice president all because he owes you money. When they get a hold of you, they will do several things to you p>
Xander gave a dark amused chuckle that didn’t reach his eyes at all.
“So, he has the money to pay off some deadweight to threaten me but doesn’t have the money to pay me back p>
Bruce could only sigh tirelessly.
Of course, he knew that Xander didn’t joke about his money. He was the one who taught him everything he knew after all.
“I don’t even know why you gave him the baby when he hadn’t even completed his payment,” Xander finished.
“Mr. Belbvet is not the type of man one would want to mess with. I just did want I could because he threatened to expose what went on in the factory to the whole world.” Bruce paused to take a breath and gulped down a shot he’d already poured into his glass before they arrived.
“As much as I love making money, I don’t think it’s worth it if people find out about what goes on in the factory. And I’m sure you wouldn’t want Xavier finding out about it either. So, release the vice president before his henchmen find out you’re the one that has kidnapped him p>
Xander gave it a thought. Mr. Belbvet was someone he shouldn’t be messing with.
In the underground world, it was kill or get killed, and right now, he was getting himself killed if he didn’t make the right decision.
“The factory has so many people that need to be fed, so every penny we’re making from this business is worth it. Mr. Belbvet is a vice president and he can even pay thrice the money he owes Xander but he doesn’t want to do that because he’s only looking for trouble.” Samantha decided to interrupt and share her own opinion.
A simple glare from Bruce threatened to shut her up but she merely tore her gaze from him and settled it on Xander.
“If we don’t pay the women at the factory, they might start to riot and that’s the last thing we would want at this moment,” she continued. “What I’m trying to say is we need the money that Mr. Belbvet is owing. You simply can’t let it go just like that p>
“And what happens when Belbvet’s men find out that it was Xander that kidnapped him and attacked him?” Bruce questioned, his eyes turning to slits in rage.
“We can just pinframe someone else saying he kidnapped Mr. Belbvet out of jealousy,” she replied. “I’m sure a lot of people are out to get the man p>
“That’s right!” They suddenly heard someone else’s voice and their heads turned to look at the person that’d just entered the room. “Money is very important and you certainly can’t let someone go just because his people are frightening p>
Julian found a seat for himself and settled on it while Samantha’s glare bore a hole in his back.
“You should go easy on that glare baby. Looks could kill you know?” He winked at her, but she only scoffed at him in disgust then turned her head away.
“I wish it really could so I wouldn’t have to look at your face,” she retorted.
Julian grinned.
“What are you doing here?” Xander questioned.
Julian shrugged. “I just decided to pay Bruce a visit and share a few things with him p>
Xander glanced between Bruce and Julian, understanding the underlying message in Julian’s words.
“I was also about to go to the house, but since you’re here, I might as well just ask you what’s been in my mind.” Julian didn’t give Xander the chance to say a word, then he continued. “When are you going to give me Anastasia p>
“Anastasia is no longer for sale. I’ve decided that she will be going to the factory in the next few days,” Xander responded.