Chapter 45
Chapter 2
PAY
Chapter 2
Her face flickers with surprise for half a second. Then she suddenly laughs out loud.
“Look, I get it-your daughter’s hurt and you’re upset. But throwing a tantrum won’t fix your problems. And let’s be real, how much money could you possibly have p>
I don’t blink. “I said NAME YOUR PRICE p>
She looks even more confused.
Then this condescending little smile spreads across her face.
“Oh, you think we’re lowballing you? Fine. Three hundred grand. Final offer. Your daughter’s not worth more than that p>
I say it again, slower this time: “I want to buy your son’s life. How much p>
She looks me up and down.
Then she bursts out laughing like this is the funniest thing she’s heard all year:
“Twenty million p>
“If you can scrape together twenty million, you can have his life. But let’s be honest-people like you couldn’t save that much in ten lifetimes!
Hahaha p>
I nod once. “Twenty million. Overpriced for trash, but fine. Deal p>
With that, I pull out my phone and text my assistant.
Gemma snorts. Even the teachers are trying to talk me down now:
“Ma’am mom, get a grip. Ms. Serling’s family isn’t someone you want to cross. You could lose your job over this. You might not even be able to afford your daughter’s treatment p>
I’ve always taught Raven to keep a low profile.
So,none of them know I’m the one who actually owns Apex Holdings.
Hayes is just the CEO-the face on the magazine covers.
“I recorded everything you just said. And I’d like everyone here to act as witnesses p>
Gemma’s patience finally snaps:
“Fine. You want to play games? Then you get nothing. And by the way, my husband already sent over top legal counsel from Apex Holdings-Barrett Lyle. He’s never lost a case in his life p>
I smile. “Perfect p>
The teachers exchange looks like I’ve completely lost my mind:
“Poor thing. Her daughter’s in a coma and now she’s having a breakdown. Such a shame. But going up against the CEO’s wife at Apex Holdings? That company runs this whole city. She’s screwed p>
19:40
You Traded Our Son for Her? Your ‘Happy’ Ending Just Crashed, Asshole!
31.1%
Chapter 2
While Gemma’s busy gloating, the parents of another victim walk in.
Gemma gives them the exact same speech. The couple looks torn apart.
The mother’s voice cracks.
“We can’t sign this. Look at what he did to our baby. We can’t just let him walk away. I won’t p>
The father’s shoulders sag.
“But we need money for treatment. And what are we supposed to do against a family like this? If we don’t sign, we might get nothing at all p>
The mother breaks down sobbing. “My poor baby. Why did this have to happen to you p>
Just as they’re about to sign, I step forward and stop them:
“Don’t. She doesn’t have the money to pay you anyway. And your child’s medical bills-current and future-I’ll cover all of it p>
The parents stare at me in shock.
Before they can say anything, Gemma’s voice cuts through the room-sharp and shrill:
“What the hell are you talking about? This black card can handle two million, twenty million, twenty billion-easy p>
Even the teacher pulls me aside, frowning. “Don’t drag other people into your mess. At least they’re being smart about this p>
My smile is cold as ice: “You’re that confident, huh p>
I turn back to the grieving parents and take both their hands.
Looking at their tear-streaked faces, my own tears start falling.
We’re all just parents trying to protect our kids.
“Make her swipe the card right now. If it doesn’t work, that means she’s broke p>
The parents grip my hands tight and nod through their tears.
The school’s finance office quickly brings over a card reader. “Swipe first, We’ll transfer the funds to victims’ after p>
Gemma smugly raises her hand and slides the black card through the machine with a flourish.
“Your card has been deactivated p>
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Mark Twain