Chapter 9
In the Mercedes, Sebastian slammed the gas, his knuckles going white as he death-gripped the steering wheel.
His whole reason for getting close to Claire had always been one thing-getting Mr. Whitmore to help him figure out what really went down with his parents.
He’d watched Mia get put through hell over and over.
But he didn’t want to drag her into this shitstorm.
This conspiracy went way deeper than anyone knew, and he wanted to wait until everything came out before giving her the chill life she deserved.
At the Whitmore & Associates.
“Sebastian, your parents’ crash wasn’t some freak accident.”
Mr. Whitmore slid a thick folder across his desk.
“Someone straight-up hacked the plane’s systems remotely.”
Sebastian stared at those papers, his eyes going bloodshot.
He’d been right the whole damn time.
This was totally planned-otherwise how the hell did Pierce Corp get completely torn apart right after his parents’ funeral?
“I’ll keep digging into this like you wanted.”
Mr. Whitmore pushed up his glasses, remembering his daughter bitching on the phone earlier, and his face got nasty.
“But are you holding up your end? Taking care of Claire?”
His voice got ice-cold.
“I heard you straight-up abandoned her at that auction for some fish market chick. Is that trailer trash really worth more than your own parents?”
When the Pierce empire crashed and burned, he’d figured Sebastian would stay down.
But the kid had some serious game, clawing his way back to the top this fast.
A guy like that was barely worth Claire’s time, plus he knew exactly what had really happened when Sebastian’s parents died..
Since Sebastian was desperate for his help, might as well milk this for everything it’s worth.
The threat was crystal clear, and Sebastian’s hands curled into fists.
If Mr. Whitmore hadn’t been the only lawyer with balls enough to take on the Pierce case back then, he wouldn’t keep eating this crap.
Watching Sebastian go silent, Mr. Whitmore’s lips twisted into a cold smile.
Chapter 9
His gut was right-Sebastian was totally whipped for that Mia girl.
Whatever. His connections were more than enough to steamroll anyone who got in Claire’s way
Sucks for Mia that she blocked Claire’s path and wasn’t lucky enough to be born into money,
“Mia’s gone.” Mr. Whitmore spun his gold engraved pen between his fingers. “Left yesterday”
Sebastian’s world completely shattered. His voice came out shaking.
“No… that’s not… How would you even know? Unless…”
Had Mr. Whitmore forced her out?
Seeing Sebastian’s ragged breathing, Mr. Whitmore scoffed.
“She wanted to leave. I just made it easier for her.”
“Bullshit!” Sebastian’s knuckles went white gripping the desk edge, his eyes bloodshot.
“She wouldn’t!”
Mr. Whitmore flinched at the ice-cold look in Sebastian’s eyes, his face darkening with annoyance.
He’d given Mia money and compensation.
Since she didn’t refuse, obviously Sebastian didn’t mean that much to her anyway.
Why was he lying to himself over some gold-digging chick?
With that thought, he cleared his throat and said exactly that.
Sebastian went completely still, like he’d been frozen in place.
His temples throbbed and his ears started ringing.
He exploded, punching the wall so hard his knuckles split open, not even feeling the pain. Through gritted teeth he snarled: “You’re lying… you forced her to leave!”
Mr. Whitmore’s frown deepened.
Done with explanations, he clapped his hands and several briefcases were brought in.
“These are the things she asked me to return to you when I saw her at the hospital. Now do you believe me?”
Looking at those familiar cases-all the stuff he’d given Mia as compensation-she hadn’t taken any of it.
His face went chalk white as Mr. Whitmore continued:
“Having a thing for some fish market trash is probably the biggest embarrassment of your life. Get serious with Claire and I’ll let it slide.”
Sebastian’s voice came out hoarse.
“Mia’s like family to me. That won’t stop me from taking care of Claire.”
Chapter 9
“Family?” Mr. Whitmore laughed coldly.
“We’re both guys here. I can see right through your little feelings.”
“I heard you’re tearing down that crappy neighborhood you used to live in? You obviously think those memories are embarrassing too-disgusted by that powerless version of yourself who couldn’t do anything, right?”
That apartment?
Like some psychic connection, Sebastian’s pupils dilated.
He didn’t remember rushing out of the law office or speeding there as fast as possible.
But just as he reached the block, bulldozers started roaring.
The basement he and Mia had shared got flattened in seconds.
Staring at the rubble, Sebastian’s heart collapsed right along with it.
While he stood there in shock, someone tapped his shoulder.
He slowly turned around and saw it was the landlord from their old building.
“Sebastian! Long time no see,” the landlord said, making small talk.
“Mia came by yesterday with her suitcase to take one last look. I thought you two were going on your honeymoon.”
The landlord got a little emotional.
“You guys really went from rags to riches. She stuck with you through all those tough times-you better treat that girl right.”
All those hard years came pouring out of the landlord’s mouth.
Sebastian stared at the ground with empty eyes until a tear rolled down his cheek.
That snapped him back to reality, and he forced a smile before saying goodbye to the landlord.
Back in his car, he called Mia’s phone like a hundred times with shaking hands and sent thousands of texts.
But it either went straight to voicemail or he’d been blocked-zero response.
Through the windshield, looking at the dust-covered rubble, he could almost see Mia with her ponytail bouncing as she skipped toward him, bragging about having a good sales day.
“Seb, I had some big customers today! You wanted to study abroad, right…”
He slowly curled his fingers into fists, whispering her name over and over.
Again and again, but nobody answered anymore.
His fist slammed into the steering wheel and the harsh honking brutally dragged him back to reality.
Sebastian couldn’t lie to himself anymore.
His Mia had really left him behind!
