62 The Fifty Million Demand
My hands trembled as I clutched my phone. The missed call notification from Sebastian glared back at me, but Weihaos accusations still rang in my ears. I couldn’t
Jace Sebastian right now
My office door creaked open again: I flinched, expecting another round of Weibao’s anger but it was only my assistant
Ms. Shaw your cousin Kevin is here to see you. He seems upset.
Another cousin? My heart sank further. “Send him in.
Kevin stormed in, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Unlike Weihao’s explosive
anger. Kevin’s was cold and calculated. His eyes locked on mine as he approached my
desk
Tm guessing you’ve heard about Aunt Mei?” I asked, bracing myself
This isn’t about Aunt Mei. His voice was tightly controlled. “It’s about my mother”
I blinked in confusion. “Vera? What about her?”
“You don’t know?” Kevin’s laugh was bitter. “Of course you don’t. Too busy with your
fashion empire and billionaire boyfriend.”
Kevin, just tell me what’s going on. My patience was wearing thin after Weihno’s
BLACK
Be slammed a financial report on my desk “My father is blaming her for the company’s financat crisis. He s using the money she loaned you as proof that she s been
mismanaging hunds.
My blood ran cold “What?”
Berhember that ten million she gave you for your company launch? Dad’s lawyers are using that as evidence that she’s been making unauthorized financial decisors that
put the company at risk
stood up, shock coursing through me
cursing through me “But that was her personal monext And she’s
the CPO–she has every right
According to my father, she didn’t follow proper protocols. He’s using this to force her off the board and out of the company, Kevin’s voice cracked. And out of their
marriage
“No. The word came out as a whisper. This couldn’t be happening.
“Yes” Kevin’s eyes flashed with anger “Your problems are spreading like poison, Hazel. First Aunt Mei, now my mother
My mind raced as I processed this new crisis. “Have you talked to Vera?
“She won’t answer my calls. I think she’s too ashamed to face anyone.
Timmediately reached for my phone, scrolling to Vera’s number. She picked up after one ring, as if she’d been staring at her phone.
“Hazel. Her voice was hollow, nothing like her usual vibrant tone.
“Vera, Kevin’s here. He told me what’s happening. Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t want to burden you with more problems. A bitter laugh escaped her. “You have enough on your plate.”
“Tell me everything.” I demanded, putting the call on speaker for Kevin’s benefit.
“There’s not much to tell. The company’s been struggling for years–Richard’s terrible decisions finally caught up with us. We’re nearly bankrupt.” Her voice broke. “And now he’s blaming me to save his own reputation.”
“But the loan to me-”
Was just the excuse he needed. The real issue is that we’re fifty million in debt with investors threatening lawsuits. She sounded defeated, broken. “He’s painting me as the villain to protect himself”
My hands clenched into fists. This sounded sickeningly familiar–a husband befraying his wife, blaming her for his failures, leaving her to suffer alone. Just like what happened to my mother.
History was repeating itself before my eyes. The same pain, the same injustice, this
time happening to the woman who had saved me from my darkest moments.
won’t let him do this to you I said firmly Tm coming over right now?
“No. Hazel
“This isn’t a discussion. I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Lended the call and turned to Kevin. I need all the financial details you can get Documents, reports, anything
Kevin stared at me, surprised by my sudden decisiveness. “What are you planning?
To save your mother from suffering the same fate as mine
I gathered my things quickly, mind racing. I wouldn’t let another woman in my life be destroyed by a manipulative man. Not when I had the resources to help.
“I’ll text you what I have, Kevin said, new determination in his voice. “But Hazel, this isn’t just about money. Dad’s already turned the board against her.”
“One problem at a time,” I replied, grabbing my purse. “First, we stabilize the financial
situation.’
“Do you have any idea how much money we’re talking about?”
I looked him straight in the eyes. “How much do you need?”
Kevin ran a hand through his hair, looking pained. “Ten million would help temporarily, but-
“I can get that by tomorrow.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Are you serious?”
“Deadly serious. I reached for my phone, ready to make calls. “I have investments I can liquidate.
Kevin’s laugh was hollow. “Ten million won’t be enough, Hazel. It would barely cover immediate expenses.
“Then how much?” I demanded.
He looked at me with exhausted eyes. “Fifty million, minimum. That’s what we need to
clear the debt and have enough operating capital to avoid the lawsuits
The number hit me like a physical blow. Fifty million. An impossible sum for most people
But I wasn’t most people anymore
“Give me forty–eight hours.” I said, surprising even myself with my certainty
Kevin stared at me in disbelief. “You can’t possibly-
“I said, give me forty–eight hours.” My voice was steady, determined.
I walked out of my office with purpose, my mind already formulating a plan I’d need to call Sebastian, swallow my pride, and ask for help yet again. The thought made me sick. but I’d do anything for Vera.
As I reached my car, my phone buzzed with a text from Sebastian:
“Everything alright? Call me when you can.
I took a deep breath, my finger hovering over the call button. Fifty million dollars. An
astronomical sum that would put me eternally in Sebastian’s debt.
But as I thought of Vera–strong, fierce Vera who had held me as I cried after my
mother’s funeral, who had given me money when I had nothing–I knew I had no
choice.
For her, I would do whatever it took. Even if it meant depending on Sebastian Sinclair
more than ever wanted to.
pressed the call button, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.
