Chapter 80
“Courtney, what do you want to i
Inermusly want to eat! I’ll get it for you. Austin asked ner
Courtney paused for a moment, wondering wi
what
it she liked to eat nowadays.
For five years in South Weldan, her meals had been limited to canned food and processed meats, Fresh vegetables and fruits were rare, often wilted.
ahusury by their standards, bitter, and dry. On rare occasions, she’d been given a shrivelat cucumber
Those cucumbers and tomatoes were meant for Hayden and prepared daily by Lucas’s people, Yet Hayden always handed them to Courtney. jokingly telling everyone, “My wife’s a rabbit spirit—she doesn’t eat meat, she eats grass”
Every stay, he’d place those scarce, not–so–fresh fruits in front of her like the mod natural thing in the world.
Courtney reisembered once when Hayden had fallen ill after coming into contact with an infected local child. His fever had burned relentlessly. It was the first time Courtney had seen him vulnerable, and for a brief moment, she had thought, “So, he’s human after all
Moved by this fleeting realization of has humanity, Courtney had card for him, staying by his side throughout his fever “Courtney,” he had murmured deliriously one night, his voice weak. “When we get back… Ell take you to eat steak. “Courtney Austin’s voice snapped Courtney back to the present. She looked up to see him staring at her, waiting, “What do you want to eat? tell me. Ell get it”
Juir
The thought startled Cour
Courtney. She actually
tally wanted steak.
But instead, she typed a response, keeping her face neutral “You eat. I’m not hungry. Once you’re done, let’s sign the divorce papers
Austin frowned, his expression tightening. “Are you really in such a hurry to divorce me? Courtney… marrying Vera was a mistake. I thought you were gone. If I had known you were alive, I would never have married her.”
Courtney’s gaze hardened. “You called me here
ere to sign the papers. I hope you’ll keep your word”
Austin exhaled deeply, lowering his head before picking up the papers she handed him
Courtney had laid out her terms clearly. Her family’s old mansion, the full redevelopment compensation, and just her share of the down payment for their marital home–nothing more. She wasn’t even asking for the accrued interest or the increased property value over the years.
Austin scanned the document, his brow furrowing. “Courtney technically, the redevelopment money belongs to marital assets. It’s not just yours.”
There it was the audacity to claim her parents‘ money.
Courtney’s hands trembled as she typed. “And the high–value life insurance you took out on my parents What about that”
Austin froze, his face pale. Panic flickered briefly in his eyes before he quickly looked down “Courtney, let me explain. That insurance… it was your parents idea. They insisted on going to South Weidan to find you and worried something might happen. They asked me to arrange i…”
Courtney laughed bitterly. Convenient, isn’t it? They’re not here to refuse your story. Her Engers shook as she typed, the pain in her chest almost unbraralle
Austin tried to defend himself. “Courtory, you know me. Even if I made mistakes with Vera, I would never
He couldn’t finish the sentence. The implication was too dark, too damning
Courtney stared at him, her gaze cold as she typed. “Mr. Anderson and my parents didn’t kill themselves. I just hope you had nothing to do with it”
Austin took a sharp breath, his hands clenched tightly beneath the table.
At that moment, Austin realized something he lud been trying to avoid–there was no going back. Not only had he lost Courtney forever, but they might soon find themselves on opposite sides.
Still, some part of him clung to the remnants of their past. He didn’t want to hurt her or destroy what little connection they had left.
The never wanted to divorce you” Austin said softly, picking up the pen. With one last look at Courtney, he signed his name.
Courtney took the document and examined it closely. Her heart sank. She recognized Austin’s handwriting instantly–every loop, every
stroke.
But the signature on the divorce
on the divorce agreement wasn’t his usual handwriting. Not even el
“Courtney, even if we get divorced, I’ll make sure you get what you deserve,” Austin said, his voice low and tense. The Lewis family isn’t innocent. They’re wealthy and should compensate for the harm they’ve caused you. They’ve offered half a million, but that’s nowhere near enough. If they can give half a million, they can give a million. When we meet with the dean, ask for the full million”
1/2
11:10 AM
Chapter So
He kept his eyes averted, speaking as if to himself.
But Courtney kept her eyes on Austin, never looking away.
“One million!” Courtney typed, posing a question.
“Or more,” Austin stammered. “If you want to push higher, I’ll support you. If they refuse, we won’t sign the settlement. The Lewis family is terrified of Vera being sentenced–it’ll ruin their reputation. They’ll give in if we press hard enough”
Finally summoning the courage to meet her eyes, Austin’s gaze flicked to hers. But the moment their eyes locked, his composure cracked, and he looked away aj
again.
“Let’s go, Austin said abruptly, standing and gesturing toward the door. “Ill take you to the dean’s office”
Courtney rose without a word and followed him.
As they reached the administrative building. Austin suddenly stopped, his footsteps faltering as he stared at the ground. His hesitation stretched into an anykward silence.
Austin was torn. He wanted Courtney to demand the money to secure the settlement and move on. Yet at the same time, if Courtney made that demand, it could be twisted into an accusation of extortion–a trap Marilyn was undoubtedly waiting to spring.
Once Courtney asked for one million dollars in compensation, the evidence of extortion would be solid.
