Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 95

He didn't even really need to ask.

He knew exactly what kind of person his mother was.

In his past life, when he had become the richest man in the city, she had pressured him to dump Amber and set him up on blind dates with wealthy heiresses. With Joanne holding onto thirty grand—money he had secured through high-interest loans—of course his mother would scheme to wring every last cent out of her, even if Joanne couldn't afford to pay it back.

"Lucian, she's making things up! She's lying to cover for Amber. Don't listen to her!" Grace felt the narrative slipping. They were supposed to be exposing Amber's scheme; how had it turned into an interrogation of her own actions?

True, during those three days in the hospital, there wasn't a single day she hadn't nagged Loretta about what to say to Joanne. But it wasn't like Loretta had actually listened!

This was purely Joanne's ploy. She had sought out Loretta just to get out of paying her debt.

Yes, that had to be it.

Lucian also felt something was off, but Loretta quickly interjected, "Grace, why are you as flip-floppy as Joanne? Me, helping Amber? Why would I help her? I haven't even seen the girl in almost a year. You can't just throw her under the bus because you wanted to use Joanne's caregiving payments as leverage to get your money back."

"Arthur, are you still there? Let me tell you, don't let them frame her! She’s such a good kid. If the two of you want to fight and play mind games, what does that have to do with her? Don't traumatize the poor girl. Oh, I get it now. Lucian, you weren't trying to offer me a 'substantial reward.' You thought Amber and I teamed up to scam your mom and Joanne out of their money, didn't you?"

Loretta sounded furious. "I spit on that! Isn't there a law against slander? I massaged your mom every single day and chased Joanne down for the cash. Every penny I made was hard-earned. I deserved it! And now I'm the criminal?"

"Lucian, since you're just a kid, I won't hold it against you. But why are you as petty as your mother? If you wanted to spend money on Joanne, that's your business. But if you haven't managed to convince your mother to drop it, don't throw cash around blindly. And as for Joanne, since you hired me to do the job, don't deny it now. Do you think I'm a pushover?"

"I'm telling all three of you right now—when I wrap things up here and get back, I'm pulling up a chair right to your front door to demand justice! I'll let the whole neighborhood hear how I worked myself to the bone just to get framed! Where is the justice in this world!?"

Deafened by her screeching, Lucian hung up the phone.

He let out a dark chuckle. Amber had obviously coordinated this with Loretta. Calling her was destined to be a dead end. But even if Amber did orchestrate the whole thing, so what? If Joanne and his mother had clean consciences, his bluff would have exposed the lie instantly.

Unfortunately, both of them were guilty as sin.

She was good. She was really, really good!

"Well, Lucian, the truth is out. Your precious Joanne thought that by hiring Loretta, your mom would drop the issue of the thirty grand. Instead, it completely backfired. She doesn't understand your mother at all. Even while enjoying the luxury of a private caregiver, she still fully expected to be paid back."

"I did not!" Joanne protested.

"Whether you did or not, only you know! And frankly, I don't care. Lucian, on your knees! It's time to honor your promise and beg for mercy from me and Xanthe."

Her commanding presence left no room for defiance.

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