Chapter 13
Bradley stroked Curtis’s cheek with the kind of tenderness no one would expect from him. His voice was low and coaxing, with just a hint of teasing. “Good boy. Keep calling me that. Otherwise…” He paused, letting the words hang. “I might just cancel this whole ‘protecting Mom’ operation.”
Curtis wasn’t about to miss his chance. The kid was sharp as a tack. “Fine! But you have to protect Mom forever. No backing
out!”
Bradley’s smirk widened. “Done,” he said, not even hesitating.
He didn’t waste a second. Pulling out his phone, he punched in a number. “Wesley, get to the hospital. I need you to draft a legal notice right now.”
When Hugh opened the letter from Bradley’s lawyer, his face turned a deep shade of red.
Melissa wasn’t just asking for her house back. She’d gone all out-demanding compensation for unpaid rent, damages, emotional distress, and God knows what else. The list went on and on, and the total was the kind of number that made his blood pressure spike.
Hugh let out a bitter laugh and threw the letter onto his desk. His eyes narrowed as he turned on Wesley Church, venom dripping from his words. “She actually thinks she can take me to court over this? Who does she think she’s dealing with? If she wants the house back, she can dream on.”
Wesley didn’t even blink. Calm and collected, he replied, “Then I suggest you prepare for a court summons, Mr. Wallaker. Ms. Bush has more than enough evidence to prove ownership.”
Hugh’s lips curled into a sneer, his hands balling into fists. “Fine. Let’s play. Let’s see who comes out on top.”
Hugh wasted no time dialing Melissa, his anger radiating through the phone the moment she picked up. “Melissa, you’ve got no idea who you’re messing with,” he snarled. “I own this city. My connections in Silou are bigger and better than you could ever dream of.
“I’ve got friends in court, and trust me-burying you would be a walk in the park. You wanna fight? Fine. Let’s fight. But don’t cry when I crush you.”
Melissa pulled the phone away from her ear for a second, staring at it like it had grown a second head. Then, putting it back, she snapped, “What the hell are you even talking about? Have you completely lost your mind?”
Hugh let out a sharp, cold laugh. “Don’t play dumb, Melissa. You’re the one pushing this into court. And since you wanna make things ugly, don’t blame me for what happens next. I’ll make damn sure you regret it.”
Melissa frowned, frustration bubbling under the surface. “A lawsuit? Hugh, are you out of your goddamn mind? I signed your shitty deal yesterday! What lawsuit are you even talking about?”
Hugh’s scoff was loud enough to echo through the line. “This is your last chance to back off. Do it now, and maybe I’ll let it go. But keep pushing, and I’ll destroy you. You’ll regret ever crossing me.”
Melissa’s eyes darted to Bradley, who was leaning back in his chair, watching her with a smirk that practically screamed, “I know something you don’t.” Her gut twisted.
Muting the phone, she turned to him, her tone sharp. “You had something to do with this, didn’t you?”
Bradley didn’t even flinch, his smirk only deepening. “What if I did? Relax. The case is solid. You’ll win.”
Her frustration mounted, a mix of gratitude and irritation swirling in her chest. “Who the hell asked you to step in?!”
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11:57 Sat, 19 Jul 07 •
Chapter 13
He chuckled, crossing his arms lasily “Don’t get your panties in a twist. My kid begged me to help. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have lifted a finger
Melissa opened her mouth to argue but quickly snapped it shut. She had nothing to say to that
The memories came rushing back-his help at the elevator, and now this. Whether she liked it or not, Bradley wasn’t as indifferent as he wanted her to believe. If anything, he’d been quietly supporting her all along.
Melissa wasn’t the type to rely on anyone. She hated the idea of owing anyone a favor. But right now, she couldn’t deny it. Having someone in her corner, even someone like Bradley? It felt nice.
Meanwhile, Hugh’s voice droned on in her ear, full of threats and insults. Every word made her blood boil.
Melissa clenched her jaw. She knew this much-giving in wouldn’t solve a damn thing. Hugh would just find new ways to use her past against her. He’d keep her trapped, always looking over her shoulder. Enough was enough.
Her voice turned cold, every word cutting like a blade. “Hugh Wallaker, if you’re so sure of yourself, then I’ll see you in court. The evidence doesn’t lie. Let’s find out if your connections can actually make the truth disappear.”
