Love Burnt Baby Stayed (by Nina R.Calder) novel Chapter 317

Chapter 317

Chapter 317

Once they left, only Zachary, Ryan, and Grace remained in the living room.

Zachary finally set down his reading glasses.

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He looked over at Ryan and said, “Do whatever you need to with your uncles. Don’t hold back just because of me or your grandma. And make sure to invite all the elders over soon. It’s time we divided up the family assets.”

Zachary said calmly, “Your uncles might not be good people, but they’re still my sons. They should get their rightful share. Go over the funds they misappropriated and settle the accounts, give them what they’re due.”

Maria glanced at Zachary but didn’t say a word.

When it came to the big decisions in the family, Zachary always had the final say.

Ryan picked up the cup of tea the maid had just poured, took a slow sip, and said calmly, “Do you think there’s anything left for them to get?”

Zachary raised an eyebrow. “What, so they’re not getting a single penny?”

Ryan didn’t say anything. He just handed Zachary a stack of papers.

Zachary read through the papers and fell silent.

After a long pause, he tossed the papers onto the table. “Make them pay back what they owe. Then put out a statement, the Foster family is severing all ties with them.”

Those two useless fools, Zachary thought to himself.

The money they’d embezzled over the years wasn’t even enough to cover their share; in fact, they ended up owing way more than they ever took.

Greed had completely taken over; they didn’t care about family, just their own pockets. Why keep heartless bastards like that in the Foster family?

Even if Ryan didn’t do anything, Zachary would make sure they paid for it.

“Yeah,” Ryan said, expressionless. “I’ll handle it.”

Zachary just now realized Ryan had come back by himself. “Where’s Nina? Why isn’t she with you?”

Even though they’re living separately now, they’re newlyweds who just got their marriage license.

Grace only just realized it after Zachary brought it up.

She jumped in, “You two have your own way, and that’s none of our business. But listen, son, there are plenty of great guys out there. You’ve got to be the best of the best, or your wife might just decide someone else.”

“Now that your uncles are out of the company, let your dad handle the rest. You just make sure to spend time with Nina and don’t let any other guy swoop in. If my daughter–in–law runs off, you don’t need to come home,” she said.

Ryan looked up at her and said in an unhurried tone, “The last time Nina broke up with me, it was because I was too clingy Mom, are you saying once wasn’t enough? You want me to get dumped again?”

Grace replied, “Then don’t keep hanging around her. Just play the trophy husband and look good in the background. When

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Chapter 317

she needs you.

Ryan fell silent.

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and remind her you exist. That’s all you need to do.”

Honestly, at this point, I’m starting to think my own mom isn’t even on my side anymore, she’s totally Team Nina now, Ryan thought.

“Bottom line, nothing matters more to me than my daughter–in–law. The wedding’s right around the corner. If the bride runs off, you’re the one I’ll come after. And seriously, don’t bother coming home alone next time, it’s just a waste of my feelings, Grace said.

Ryan fell silent.

He thought.

Looks like I’m just the third wheel here!‘ he wondered.

“Whatever, I’m leaving: he thought.

Ryan gave a resigned nod and headed upstairs.

He picked up a file from the study, then left the old house without a backward glance.

It was seven in the evening.

Ryan had just wrapped everything up. He hesitated, thumb hovering over his phone, wondering if he should text Nina. Right then, she appeared at the door.

Nina leaned against the doorframe, one hand in her pocket, and called out, her tone casual, “Finished? Let’s go.”

Ryan looked up, his narrow eyes locked on Nina, his face grim and completely blank.

Nina met his gaze, raising an eyebrow. “What, is there something on my face?”

Ryan looked away, his voice husky and emotionless. “No.”

With that, he stood up and walked over to Nina. “Where are we going?”

“Just making up for the date we missed today,” Nina said casually.

Ryan looked down, his eyes dimming.

He and Nina were supposed to go out together today.

But earlier that morning, Nina had called out of the blue, saying she had something to handle and would be back late.

So their date never happened.

Ryan let a faint smirk play on his lips. “Honestly, I was starting to think you’d bailed on our date today.”

Before Nina could even reply, Ryan was already heading out. “Come on, you decide where we’re going.”

But as he turned, Ryan’s face fell, all warmth gone in an instant.

“This isn’t Nina, Ryan thought.

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Chapter 317

She looked uncannily like Nina, and even her tone was eerily similar.

But deep down, he knew, this wasn’t Nina.

Nina never talked to him this coldly unless it was all business between them.

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Nina loved growing herbs, and she always carried that subtle, natural scent you get from years of working with them, not like this woman, who probably just soaked her clothes in some herbal brew to fake it.

Nina always found a way to tease him; she was never this stiff, and her smile was always real, not that fake grin this woman

wore.

Nina stood just at his nose, about five feet seven, but this one was a little shorter, maybe half an inch off.

Whenever Nina leaned against something, she’d always cross her arms, never just stick one hand in her pocket like this lookalike.

Every little detail gave her away as an imposter.

Ryan kept his cool. Come on, even someone with half a brain could see who set this up.

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