Chapter 38
“Cut the crap, Brian, Matt’s voice turned sharp with irritation. “I know she’s with you. Bring her to the Empire Hotel tonight at eight.”
“But-
Before Brian could finish, Matt’s voice cut through once more.
“Think carefully. Do you reckon the Heath can afford to go against me?”
Silence.
Even after the call ended, Brian stood frozen in place.
Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a watch. It was the pocket watch I had given him for his birthday.
My father had been watching him carefully.
With trembling hands, he signed, “Was that Matt?”
Brian nodded.
My father hesitated before signing again, “Today is the last day. If we don’t get the money, they’ll stop her treatment. I need to see Matt.“”
Desperation filled his aged face. These past three years had worn him down until he was barely a shadow of the man he used to be. Once, he had been a powerful businessman, commanding respect in every boardroom. Now, he looked like a broken old man.
Brian hesitated. He wanted to refuse.
But when he looked at my mother–at her bloodless lips and frail body–he let out a heavy sigh and nodded.
I had given Matt thirty thousand dollars before leaving him. He once said he wanted to start a business, so I gave him the money as startup capital–on the condition that he break up with me.
That amount might be nothing but pocket change to him now.
But for my mother, it was a matter of life and death.
***
That night, the Empire Hotel was packed with elite figures from various industries. And in the most prominent seat, high above the rest, sat Matt. He surveyed the crowd from his vantage point, his gaze cool and detached, as though he were looking down on a pile of trash. He still carried himself with that same arrogance. Finally, his eyes landed on Brian. A smirk curled at the corner of his lips.\
But when he saw the man standing behind Brian–my father–his brows furrowed. And when he realized I wasn’t there, his grip tightened around his glass until it shattered.
As Brian and my father approached, Matt calmly wiped his hands. A stark red stain bloomed against the pristine white of his handkerchief.
“Where’s she?” he asked, his tone unreadable.
Brian hesitated before lowering his gaze. “She couldn’t come.“\
Matt didn’t get angry. Instead, he leaned back against the couch, letting out a slow, amused chuckle. His legs crossed, his gaze swept over Brian, cold and taunting.
“What? Am I still not good enough for Miss Foster to see me in person?” He laughed, the sound sharp and laced with mockery.
“She left me without a second thought,” he mused, his eyes distant, lost in the past. “Threw me away like I was nothing but trash.” His jaw tightened. “All so she could join the wealthy and powerful Heath Family?“>
His head snapped toward Brian, eyes narrowing. “Tell me, how much? Name your price.” Brian’s expression darkened. “I don’t think I understand you, Mr. Harding.“>
Matt took a slow sip of water, the ever–present smirk still playing on his lips.
“After all these years, you must be tired of her,” he said casually. “Name your price.“”
He set the glass down and leaned forward, his voice dangerously soft.
“Sell her to me.“%
11:42 PM
D
“Laura is not an object.”
