Family on Their Knees Heart Turned to Ice novel Chapter 845

Brandon's voice was light and sickeningly cheerful, which only made Bella's blood boil hotter. But she was entirely powerless. There was absolutely nothing she could do to stop him.

When Brandon hung up, Bella let out a frustrated scream and hurled her phone at the floor again.

She knew this PR stunt would save the Mercer Group. It might even bring the company back from the brink of bankruptcy.

But Sebastian hated it. He had already torn into her that morning. The thought of being scolded by him on their first full day as a legally married couple made her stomach churn with resentment. She was Mrs. Blake now; she shouldn't have to endure this kind of treatment.

She was caught in a brutal tug-of-war. On one side, keeping Sebastian happy. On the other, the survival of her family's empire, which indirectly benefited her.

When Sebastian called back, Bella put on her most helpless voice. "Sebastian, I can't control what Brandon and Colin do. You know I don't have any real power at the Mercer Group. To them, I'm just an outsider."

Sebastian didn't argue. If Bella couldn't rein them in, he would have to handle the fallout himself. He hung up without another word, leaving a heavy, oppressive silence in his wake.

Bella knew he was furious with her, but she consoled herself with the facts. The certificate was signed. She was Mrs. Blake. It wasn't like he was going to divorce her over a PR headache.

Unable to control her stepbrothers, she pushed the mess out of her mind, touched up her makeup, and headed to the office.

Meanwhile, in a brightly lit dining room, Lillian Mercer enjoyed her breakfast, watching Leonard Prescott fail to hide a smirk.

"What's got you so entertained this morning?" she asked.

"Have you seen the front page of the internet?" Leonard replied, taking a sip of coffee.

At precisely ten o'clock, Lillian walked into her office. Emma Ruiz gave a quick status report on the event preparations. Shortly after she left, Marcus Parker slipped through the door.

Lillian raised an eyebrow. "You've been hovering around my office a lot lately. What is it this time? Bella again?"

Marcus shook his head. "It's Debbie Harris. She had a billion-dollar line of credit at that underground casino, but she's burned through almost all of it. She's got maybe a couple hundred million left. At the rate she's playing, she'll tap out in two, maybe three days.

"Once the credit dries up, the casino will demand repayment. Bella doesn't have the cash to cover a hole that massive. My bet? Debbie is going to cut her losses and flee the country."

Lillian sat up straight, her eyes narrowing. "Flee?"