Chapter 82
Chapter 82:
Before the tension thickened further, Jane stepped in, tugging Alan gently by the arm. Her smile was nervous and conciliatory. “Please don’t take it the wrong way, Brayden. Alan was merely discussing matters with Gracie. If she’s unwilling, we won’t insist p>
“Oh? Is that so?” Brayden’s lips curved faintly, but there was no warmth behind the expression. His eyes swept over them with cold amusement. “Then you already know the answer. If I hear that you’ve pressured her again, I won’t be this accommodating next time p>
The warning dropped like ice into the room, draining every trace of arrogance from Alan’s face.
His hand twitched uncontrollably, and he lowered his gaze, unable to withstand Brayden’s chilling stare.
“Embezzling investment capital to plug company losses, and then expecting Gracie to foot the debt—quite the plan, Alan,” Brayden said evenly, his voice laced with quiet authority. “The forty million belonging to Theo must be returned by this time tomorrow p>
He paused, his cold eyes sliding from Alan to Jane, both pale as ghosts. “Don’t even think about involving Gracie, and don’t try to stall. I could wipe the Sullivan Group from existence with a few words p>
There was no exaggeration in that statement. His ruthlessness in business was legendary. No one doubted his capability—or his resolve. The Sullivan Group, already a hollow shell of its former glory, had no power to resist.
Alan’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. Sweat rolled down the side of his face. Only then did he truly grasp the gravity of Brayden’s words.
“I-I understand. I’ll have it ready by tomorrow.” His tone was deferential, his nod quick and nervous.
When Brayden finally turned toward Gracie, the frost in his eyes melted into warmth. A subtle smile touched his lips. “I’ve reserved a table. I heard the mushroom soup there is your favorite. We won’t be dining here tonight p>
The tenderness in his expression disarmed Gracie. She felt her heart stir, her composure faltering for an instant. Without resisting his hand, she simply gave a small nod.
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Together, they walked toward the door—his hand steady around hers, their figures side by side. Behind them, the Sullivans stood frozen, the air heavy with humiliation and dread.
Only after the door shut did Alan’s dazed calm snap. Fury surged through him as he hurled the whip onto the floor.
His glare seared into Ellie. “Didn’t you tell me Brayden was sick of Gracie? That he wouldn’t lift a finger for her? Then what the hell was that just now p>
Ellie flinched at his roar, clutching her head, her entire body shaking. Her wide eyes were rimmed with panic. “I don’t know. I really don’t know p>
In her previous life, none of this had unfolded this way. Everything had veered sharply off the path she remembered.
“You don’t know?” Alan’s voice thundered. “Forty million! Do you have any idea how much that is? My company is already drowning! Where do you expect me to conjure that kind of money p>
Jane, trembling beside him, seized Ellie’s arm, desperation bleeding through her voice. “Ellie, think carefully. Maybe there’s been some mistake. If it truly can’t be fixed… ask Theo to let it go p>
Ellie froze, then tears streamed freely down her face. “Let it go? Are you joking? Because of this, he’s already starting to ignore me. For my future, for everything we’ve planned, that money has to be paid p>
Her tone softened, though determination burned beneath it. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m still here, Theo will become the rightful heir of the Stanley family p>
Even if fate had shifted, she still possessed knowledge of what was to come. The key now was keeping Theo under her control.
“That’s all we can depend on,” Alan said wearily, his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. “Ellie, you and Theo are the last hope we have left p>