Ethan relished in the ecstasy of revenge as he watched the conflicting emotions dancing on Mark’s face. “If you don’t want this letter to fall on Arianne’s lap, then, stay out of my business. That land is mine and no one else. If you so much as let Tiffany know what I’ve done, you can bet Arianne will know about your matter as well.”
Mark closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, steeling himself against the emotions rioting in his chest. He would never reveal the truth regarding the plane crash. He would rather shoulder it alone than to expose his mother. After all, his fervid impression of his mother being a reasonable and kind woman lay in the depth of his heart. He would not taint one of the last few pure impressions he had of her.
“What happens after you get that land and Tiffany? How long are you going to hold that letter against me?”
Ethan sneered. “Would you believe me if I say this will end with both of us enjoying our life peacefully with our most treasured women by our sides as we bury our dark secrets away?”
There was no way Mark would believe that. Currently, both of them wielded each other’s dirtiest secrets, but they were not equal in power. The women were the bargaining chips. Ultimately, it boiled down to how much Arianne and Tiffany meant to them respectively. It was clear Ethan could live without Tiffany, but Mark could not live without Arianne. Arianne was his Achilles’ heel!
Mark said with a growl, “What must I do for you to give me the original letter?”
“Aww, it seems like you care very much about Arianne.” Ethan jeered. “I guess it’s only natural, given the years you have lived together. You want that letter? Why don’t you cede everything related to the Tremonts to me?”
Everything related to the Tremonts? Only Ethan would dare suggest something so preposterous!
Mark did not even hesitate as he said, “Over my dead body.”
Ethan was not surprised. He had a different plan after all. “Well, I guess money trumps love in the end. Please, you really think I want any of the sh*t from the Tremonts? No. What I want is to watch you suffer the pain I’ve had to suffer,” he said honestly, “Well, it seems like none of us has a way to solve this problem. How about this? You want to sweep this under the rug, don’t you? Then, let’s keep our mouths shut, and we’re good. Deal?”
“Oh, by the way, Tiffany and I are going to get married very soon. If all goes as planned, can my dearest eldest brother buy that plot of land as our wedding gift? Heavens forbid Tiffany from suspecting that I only want her for that, you know.”
...
As soon as Mark left the hospital, he went to Tiffany’s house directly.
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