Two Reborn, One Throne novel Chapter 39

After evening study hall, Amber didn't go straight to the hospital; she headed back to her apartment.

Lucian went to visit his mother.

Arthur was still there when he arrived. "Lucian, you're here. Why didn't Amber come with you?"

Lucian frowned. He didn't know what Arthur had been talking to his mother about, but she was in a noticeably better mood than yesterday.

"Amber has already backed down. You're a boy, don't hold grudges over every little thing. When it's time to step up, step up."

His mother was actually praising Amber again.

"Mom..."

"Also, about that thirty thousand dollars. I'm not forcing Joanne to pay it back just for the sake of it. But Lucian, Amber is going to be your wife. I was saving that money not just for your college tuition, but for Amber's dowry. Your Uncle Arthur might not care about traditions, but the Juarez family can't mistreat Amber when she marries into our home. Put some effort in, make Amber happy, and make sure Joanne gives that money back."

Grace hated having to speak highly of Amber, but she was in a great mood. First, that little hussy Joanne actually spent money to hire Loretta to massage her, which made her back feel much better. Second, that pushover Arthur had just told her that Amber went to the diner after school to wash all the dishes.

Grace had been shocked at first, but then she smiled smugly. Sure, Amber threw a little tantrum, but wasn't she still crawling back to serve her son in the end?

All those years of subtly brainwashing the girl to act as a workhorse for the Juarez family hadn't been a waste after all.

Grace figured that since the girl was submitting again, she couldn't just do nothing. She loudly declared to Arthur that she was getting the thirty thousand dollars back from Joanne because she was saving it for Amber's wedding fund. Why should Joanne get to keep it?

Arthur would definitely go home and tell Amber. Since Joanne was ignoring her calls, she'd just let Amber go collect the debt. Hah, she was a genius! Even though she wasn't entirely thrilled with Amber, she was infinitely better than Joanne.

She'd play the long game. Once Lucian went off to a prestigious university and started rubbing elbows with the elite, Amber would be obsolete. Even if the girl threw a fit, Grace would be there to manipulate her into "stepping aside for the man she loved," because "that's what true love is."

Lucian walked home with Arthur. Along the way, he wanted to ask, *"Arthur, aren't you staying to take care of my mom?"* But since his mother hadn't asked him to stay, and things were so tense with Amber, he swallowed the question. If Amber found out he was prying, she'd only mock him again.

Because Lucian ignored his instincts and asked nothing, Joanne was left completely defenseless when Loretta ambushed her to collect the debt.

"What did you say? A thousand dollars? Grace sent you to get it?"

Joanne's luck had officially run out. She hadn't even had time to celebrate finally ditching Lucian for the night to meet her secret lover at a bar, before Loretta cornered her.

And not just anywhere—Loretta had practically predicted her movements and blocked her right at the bar's entrance, demanding money on Grace's behalf.

"A thousand dollars is a bargain. Joanne, I watched you grow up, but business is business. That diner had a mountain of dishes, plus lunch, dinner, and nursing care for Grace. Nothing is free in this world. Stop whining and pay up. I still have to go back to the hospital, stay the night, and report back to her."

"Oh, and Grace said that until you pay back the thirty thousand dollars Lucian spent on you, I'm the one who'll be coming to collect since she's stuck in bed. Also, I'm only taking my service fee today. You still owe her the thirty thousand. If you don't pay up, that's fine too. I know exactly where you live. Grace said I'm staying with her until she's discharged, and the moment she's out, she's going to print out... a full list of everything you've done... and paste it all over the neighborhood."