Chapter 19
As the words settled in the air, Daly continued earnestly, “I know your family is in a financial crisis, and I remember you gave us a leg up when our family hit rock bottom. But that doesn’t give you the right to hold it over our heads, expecting payback with strings attached. That’s not decent!”
Confused, Adah pondered, “Financial crisis for the Christensen family? When did the
Christensen family fall into hard times? So, was that why the Morris family wanted to call off the engagement?”
Adah narrowed her eyes in thought.
With a wave, Daly beckoned a servant to bring over a suitcase. “Adah, when our family was in a tight spot, Latham gave us a hundred grand. Now, we’re giving it back to you, doubled, with a keepsake.”
Back then, it was a hundred grand from Latham.
And they were returning two hundred grand, a gesture of exceeding fairness!
As he spoke, Daly opened the suitcase.
Inside, you could see piles of crisp, new banknotes and a pendant resting atop.
Adah looked up at Daly as if she was seeing him for the first time.
If she hadn’t witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never believe that this man before her was Daly!
Time and money really could change a person.
The Christensen family hadn’t pushed for the engagement between the two families from the get–go. But Daly had made the promise.
But at this point, because of some rumors about the Christensen family’s financial crisis, he was ready to sever ties and break the engagement, all while parading around like he was on some moral high ground.
Such a quick change of tune was straight–up hypocrisy!
Seeing Adah was silent, Daly frowned. “What’s the matter? Not enough? We’re talking about two hundred grand here! Adah, greed can swallow you whole.”
Was two hundred grand not enough? That was pushing it.
Adah glared at Daly, snapping. “Daly! You’re nothing but an ungrateful worm!”
The Morris family would have collapsed long ago without that hundred grand twenty–five years
ago.
And they had the nerve to offer two hundred grand as an insult? Ridiculous!
Chapter 19
“How much do you want? Name your price!” Daly gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowing. “But try not to make a total ass of yourself. Everyone’s patience has its limits!”
Adah pulled another same pendant from her pocket and smashed it on the ground. “Fine, if you’ve decided to call off this engagement, I’ll oblige. From today on, let our families* agreement be null and void. Bonds broken, and ties severed! We’ll never cross paths again! Just don’t come to regret this!”
Regrets? Did Adah think the Christensen family was something special? Daly sneered inwardly. On the other hand, Rebecca had a mocking glint in her eyes. “Mrs. Christensen, you’d do well to remember your actions today. Don’t come to regret them, especially if you end up doing
something desperate and embarrassing.”
Rebecca had no desire to associate with a fallen power like the Christensen family.
If it was over, it had to be clean and final.
There was no sense in leaving loose ends that might return to bite them.
Daly then took a few more bills from his wallet and added them to the tray. ” Adah, our families go way back, after all. Consider this extra cash a small token of my goodwill. It can’t be easy for you, all alone with your children. If you can’t get by, remember you can always turn to our family before you’re out on the streets. We’ve got a few spare rooms in the servants‘ quarters. It’s the least we can do.”
Since the facade was shattered, there was no point in keeping up appearances. The Christensen family was nothing more than nobody then.
Seizing the remaining pendant, Adah turned, supporting Karen, her face flush with anger. “Karen, let’s go!”
Experienced in high society, Karen was furious but kept her composure.
