Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 100

Grace pondered the proposition for a long moment.

She was genuinely surprised the girl was voluntarily offering to break up with her son.

At least she had some self-awareness. However...

"Why should I agree to that? You never had the right to spend that money in the first place. You little hussy, you really think you're clever. A breakup fee? Do you seriously think you're worth that much?"

Her face was a mask of pure mockery.

Joanne was furious. "So you want us to just keep fighting like this? Grace..."

"I don't need you worrying about his exams. He is going to a top-tier university, and when that time comes, the two of you will break up whether you like it or not. If you have half a brain, you'll hand over the cash right now."

Joanne snapped back, "Are you really so confident that he won't alter his college applications just to stay with me?"

"Joanne!"

"You don't have a choice. I don't want it to be like this either. We both want him to ace those exams. It makes you look good, and it makes me look good."

"Just agree to it. Because if you don't..." Her tone turned venomous, "...I'll make him change his applications!"

He had already changed them anyway.

Grace's face turned completely blue with rage.

"No! You have to pay me back!" She refused to budge an inch.

Joanne gripped her fists so tightly her veins bulged.

This old hag was completely immune to reason. Damn it, she wanted to kill her!

"Fine. But I don't have the money right now. I'll give you ten grand first, and when I scrape the rest together, I'll pay you the balance. Don't worry. The day his acceptance letter comes, I'll pay you in full. Otherwise, how am I supposed to break things off with him? Is that acceptable?"

If the old hag refused this too, Joanne was fully prepared to burn the bridge entirely. Thirty grand was a drop in the bucket compared to three hundred thousand. She wouldn't just take the money; she'd make sure the hag choked on her own fury.

Grace thought for a second. "Fine. Transfer the money now."

"And don't try playing any games. He is my son. No matter how hard I push you, there’s nothing he can do about me. But you? You better take a good look in the mirror and remember exactly what you are."

She whipped out her phone and demanded the transfer.

Joanne immediately put on a sweet, compliant smile. "Of course, you're absolutely right. Who am I? You know exactly what kind of person I am."

She didn't mind his glare in the slightest. "I'm just being honest! Dad, I think she’s great. You're single, she's single. If you guys are meant to be, I'll even buy you a house when I start making money."

His face flushed deep red. Knowing exactly what he was about to say, Amber cut him off. "Dad, I'm not trying to upset you. But you saw what happened today. Do you really expect Grace to ever give a damn about me?"

"I've held this in for years. You said you needed time, and fine, I won't force you. But let me remind you—today, it was just over thirty grand. What about when exams are over? When Grace finds out that I took Lucian's spot for the overseas scholarship, she's going to accuse you of plotting against her or keeping it a secret. She'll tear you apart. What are you going to do then?"

Arthur froze right where he stood.

She had mentioned this possibility before, but he hadn't really thought much of it. Seeing the pure sincerity in her eyes now, he knew she wasn't joking.

Xanthe hadn't wanted to interrupt, but she knew that if Amber was the only one trying to get through to him, he might not listen.

Holding the warm egg against her bruised cheek, she spoke up softly. "Arthur, please don't take this the wrong way, but I think she makes a very valid point. She got slapped for no reason today. What happens next time?"

"I'm not trying to drive a wedge between you and Grace, I'm just looking at the facts. If... and I'm just saying if... Amber really does secure the university spot that Grace wants for her son, don't you think Grace will tear you to pieces?"

"Thank goodness Amber was smart enough to stop them from framing her today. But there's only one spot. Even if her son tries his best but still loses to Amber, given Grace's personality, she’ll undoubtedly demand that Amber sacrifice her future for him. She'll make a massive scene and tell the whole neighborhood that you're a backstabbing snake. She strung you along for twelve years, and she'll make it look like you played her for twelve years just to steal her son's future."

"Arthur, this is about Amber's future. You cannot afford to be blinded by love right now."