Chapter 14
She didn’t wait for a response. Hanging up, she let out a long breath, a rare, satisfied smile tugging at her lips.
Bradley watched her, his arms still crossed, his smirk widening. “Now that’s more like it. If you’d stood up for yourself like that earlier, you wouldn’t have let him walk all over you.”
Curtis, eager to win his mom’s approval, piped up without thinking, “Mom, Dad’s amazing…”
The moment the words left his mouth, Curtis froze. His little face turned red as realization hit him. He didn’t fully grasp the idea of loyalty or betrayal, but calling that man “Dad” in front of his mom? It stirred a guilt he couldn’t shake.
Melissa blinked, stunned. The subtle shift in their dynamic caught her off guard, stirring a mix of emotions-none of which she had the time to sort through.
But she quickly masked her feelings with a bright smile. “He sure is. That’s why you should listen to him, Curtis. Maybe one day you’ll be just as incredible as he is.”
Curtis hesitated, watching her face nervously for any sign of anger. When he didn’t find any, he let out a sigh of relief and nodded enthusiastically. “Mom, if anyone bullies you, you have to tell me, okay? Me and Dad will protect you.”
Melissa’s heart melted on the spot. She knelt down, taking his small hands in hers. “I promise, Curtis. I’ll always tell you.”
Later, Melissa pulled Bradley aside, her voice low and edged with concern. “Are you absolutely sure we can win this case? Hugh’s family isn’t exactly powerless. If something goes wrong…”
Bradley didn’t even let her finish. “Melissa, do you have any idea who you’re talking to? I’m the one people bend over backward to get on their side.”
Her frown deepened. “I just don’t want this turning into a bigger problem for you.”
Bradley’s eyes narrowed slightly, his patience wearing thin. “Melissa, listen to me. When someone offers you help, you take it. Don’t hesitate, don’t second-guess, and don’t make me regret getting involved. This case is in the bag. All you need to do is sit tight and wait for your payday.”
His unwavering confidence helped her relax, and she let out a long breath. “Alright. Consider me in your debt.”
But just as quickly, his tone turned cold, and his smile disappeared. “I don’t want your gratitude,” he said flatly. “All I care about is that you keep my son happy while he’s in the hospital. When he’s better, you’ll leave. End of story.”
His words were like a punch to the gut. Melissa’s fingers instinctively twisted the hem of her shirt, her voice soft and hollow. “I understand.”
But deep down, she didn’t. The idea of leaving her son was a reality she couldn’t-wouldn’t-accept.
Bradley, despite his frosty exterior, had a warmth buried somewhere deep inside. It was hard to miss, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
Melissa wondered, ‘If I could find a way to get on better terms with him, would I have more chances to stay close to Curtis?’
Before she could stop herself, she blurted out, “Do you need a nanny? Someone good with kids?”
Bradley’s eyes narrowed, and he let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Melissa, if you think I’m stupid enough to let you move into my house, think again. Not happening.”
Meanwhile, Hugh was still riding high on his arrogance. The legal notice had been a joke to him—a minor inconvenience he
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Chapter 14
hadn’t even bothered to take seriously. That was, until an official court summons landed on his desk
Seeing it made his blood boil. ‘Melissa, that broke, spineless little girl-has actually dragged me to court? It is so abourd, he thought.
He laughed, though the anger simmering beneath the surface threatened to boil over.
Grabbing the summons, Hugh immediately called a familiar number. “Mr. Curry, I need your help with a little case…
Hugh had recently invested in a lucrative project tied to the chief judge’s brother-in-law, A favor like that always came with strings attached, and now was the time to cash in.
The judge didn’t hesitate. “Don’t worry, Mr. Wallaker. I’ll handle it personally.
After exchanging a few pleasantries and agreeing to meet for dinner soon, Hugh hung up and dialed Melissa, his tone sharp and dripping with condescension.
“Melissa,” he sneered, “I got your little summons. Don’t worry, I’ll be in court, just like you wanted. And when this is over, you’ll see exactly what happens to people who try to cross me.”
But Melissa, emboldened by Bradley’s confidence, wasn’t the same timid pushover he’d dealt with before. Her voice was calm, her words razor-sharp. “Good. I’ll make sure the press is there too. The whole city deserves to see how shameless the Wallaker family is when it comes to stealing from women.”
