CHAPTER 78
ARIA’S POV
+25 BONUS
I burst out laughing at Adam’s question. It’s as if he has a mental checklist, trying to get everything done in one shot. His seriousness contrasts sharply with the absurdity of the situation, making it almost comical.
“I’ve paid one billion dollars for this antique piece. It’s not that I stole it or something. It’s mine.”
Now the ball is in my court, and I won’t let anything slide. First, Adam calls me here and I get disgraced. Then they try to coat it with some insincere apology, and now he’s singing the same song about the necklace.
My anger boils over, my heart pounding in my chest. They stand there, looking stunned, as if my reaction is unexpected.
“If you want the necklace back, then pay me thrice the price I paid?”
Eva and Elodie exchange glances, their expressions a mix of guilt and defiance. His mother, always the actress, tries to look sorrowful but I can see through her façade. Adam’s face tightens, his eyes narrowing. He’s not used to being challenged, especially not by me.
To my astonishment, Elodie bursts out in anger.
“Are you mad? Why would you ask for a hefty amount for such an insignificant antique piece?”
I can’t understand why they’re all so intent on making me burst out laughing.
“If it’s insignificant, then why do you want it back?”
Adam’s jaw is clenched, and Eva and Elodie look bewildered by my audacity. If they think they can manipulate me, they are sorely mistaken.
All of a sudden, Adam speaks up and baffles all of us.
“I’ll pay the three billion dollars.”
“What? B–but w–hy h–how?”
Elodie is visibly frightened, likely fearing that Adam might have to sell their home to repay me for the necklace. Yes, I’m also curious about how Adam plans to pay me three billion dollars. Is he going to take out a loan or something?
“I’ll stop Eva’s and my mom’s allowances for six months to pay Aria and retrieve the necklace.”
Oh, so Mr. Adam Miller has finally come back to his senses.
What’s his motive here? Is he genuinely remorseful, and trying to prove to me that he’s changed?
Eva stomps her feet like an eight–year–old, protesting against Adam’s decision, while Elodie folds her arm over her chest and tries to show who is the boss here. But I notice that Adam is not fazed by his mother’s attitude.
“No allowance for six months?”
Eva keeps repeating as she can’t imagine that Adam will do something like this to them.
Elodie is boiling with rage and cannot stop insulting me.
“Are you doing this for your ex–slutty–wife?”
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CHAPTER 78
+25 BONUS
“Don’t you dare using this kind of word again. You’ve stolen Grandpa’s antique and now it’s time for your punishment.”
“You can’t punish your mother!”
Elodie’s fury is palpable, and she clearly expects Adam to back down from his decision.
To my surprise, Adam’s demeanor changes, and he directs his frustration towards Elodie. He accuses her and Eva of years of mistreatment towards me, highlighting their lack of respect and their treatment of me like a mere maid. He admits his own failure to address their behavior earlier and expresses regret for allowing them to cross such serious boundaries.
Wow! I’m impressed; actually, not really. I shouldn’t. He should have been vigilant about his sister’s and mother’s behavior long ago. It was his duty to protect me from their mistreatment. Now let him pay the consequences.
“I know Eva is a spoilt brat, but you Mom, couldn’t you guide her?”
How could she guide Eva when she behaves the same way herself? Isn’t Adam aware of that?
This family drama just keeps getting worse with every passing minute. I can’t help but roll my eyes and shake my head in disbelief.
As Elodie asks Adam to keep his mouth shut and not to try to act like he is the boss here, Adam quietens her by saying that he is the one handling the family business while Eva and she spends all the money.
He reminds his mother that he is the one working and that both of them are under his responsibility.
“But when it comes to asking for money, you never remind me that you’re in charge, do you, Mom?”
It’s entertaining to see Eva’s and Elodie’s expressions. It’s not just me who’s in disbelief; they are equally stunned to hear Adam reprimanding them for what seems like the very first time.
The next statement from Adam nearly gets me fainted.
“I still want my Aria back and you better show respect to her!”
Adam looks at me in the eyes as he says so.
CHAPTER 79
+25 BONUS
CHAPTER 79
ARIA’S POV
