Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80 Money Talks

WILLOW

Finished

I stood on the sidewalk for a moment after Serena asked her question, debating whether I should ignore her and just walk straight into the office.

However, it felt like she would cause a scene if I refused. She was definitely the type of person who would not let me simply walk away.

Her car was still blocking the path, and the way she stood there with that perfectly polite smile told me she had no intention of leaving until she got what she wanted.

I exhaled slowly.

“Fine,” I said.

Her smile widened slightly.

“Great”

I pulled out my phone and quickly sent a message.

To: Rocco

I won’t be in the office for a bit. Something came up.

Three dots appeared immediately.

Rocco replied within seconds.

Got it. I’ll handle everything here. Don’t worry about the proposal drafts.

I let out a small sigh of relief.

Thanks.

I slipped my phone back into my bag and turned toward Serena.

“Let’s make this quick.”

She gestured toward her car.

“There’s a cafe nearby. It’s good to talk there.”

I nodded, already feeling like I knew which cafe she was talking about.

Ten minutes later, we were seated at a small table near the window.

As expected, it was Tristan’s cafe.

Although judging by Serena’s expression as she flipped open the menu, she probably had no idea who

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Chapter 80 Money Talks

Finished

actually owned the place. The cafe was quiet at this hour, filled mostly with early professionals and a few people working on laptops.

Serena tossed the menu toward me.

“What do you want?” she asked casually.

The menu slid across the table and stopped near my hands.

I looked at it and sighed.

She leaned back in her chair.

“Just order whatever you want,” she said. “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”

I raised my eyes slowly.

“I know how expensive this place is,” she added with a small, patronizing smile. I did not even let her finish.

“I’ll pay for my order,” I said calmly.

She opened her mouth to say something else.

“Don’t worry,” I added, cutting her off before she could continue. “I can afford it.”

Serena paused. Then she tilted her head slightly, studying me with a pitying expression.

“You don’t have to,” she said softly.

I stared at her and leaned against the chair, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

“Can you cut straight to the chase?”

Her lips twitched.

“I see that you’re quite impatient.”

She clicked her tongue.

“Maybe that’s why Marcus divorced you.”

I inhaled slowly, gathering all of the patience stored in my body, and repeated my question.

“What do you

want?”

This time, I enunciated each word clearly.

Serena pouted slightly, as though disappointed that her little jab had not landed the way she expected,

“Well,” she said, folding her hands together on the table, “since you’re the secretary of the new Florence

owner…”

Finished

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P

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Chapter 80 Money Talks

My eyes narrowed slightly.

14

we wanted to know the status of the proposal we gave you.”

I remained silent.

She continued speaking.

“It has been a while,” she said lightly. “And we are expecting the collaboration to push through.”

Her smile returned.

“Marcus and I worked really hard on it.”

I leaned back in my chair.

“She’s still looking at it.”

Serena’s eyes slightly narrowed.

J

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

I glanced toward the door briefly, already considering leaving.

My coffee had not even arrived yet. However, I had no desire to sit here any longer than necessary.

“Is that all?” I asked.

Serena did not answer immediately. Instead, she slowly reached into her handbag.

“No,” she said.

Something in her tone made my attention sharpen slightly.

She sighed. “I know we aren’t on good terms,” she began.

Her voice carried a carefully crafted softness now.

“Especially since your husband left you for me.”

I closed my eyes briefly. She always had to bring this up, huh?”

Serena continued speaking like she was offering a heartfelt apology.

“But business is business.”

Then she pulled something out of her bag–an envelope.

She slid it across the table toward me.

“This,” she said, “is fifty thousand dollars.”

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Chapter 80 Money Talks

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I frowned slightly as I looked down at the envelope. Even without opening it, the thickness of it made it obvious that it contained a significant amount of cash.

Serena leaned back in her chair again, watching my reaction carefully.

“I know the new Fiorane owner must be very busy,” she said. “Especially with everything the late William Florence left behind.”

“But she really should look at our proposal.”

A small smirk tugged at her lips.

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