All Novel Xo
Chapter 1524
Jamie forced herself to swallow the rising pain in her chest. If cutting Ben off completely was the only way to make him give up, then so be it. A million dollars...
For Ben, whether as the alias "Jack Green" or as his true self, money had never been an issue. His mother had made sure he never lacked anything.
However, Jamie's single remark, sharp and calculated, cut straight to the heart of their relationship. It reduced everything they had shared to something insignificant and transactional.
Ben's expression turned grim, his dark eyes filled with anguish and anger. "Jamie, if you needed money, you could've just asked me. Winning me over would've gotten you more than a million. Was it really worth it?"
There was a deep sadness in his voice, almost as if he was pleading for her to lie to him, just to make him feel wanted.
Jamie could feel the weight of his words, the memories of his kindness clawing at her heart. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say a word, the door burst open with a loud crash.
Standing in the doorway was Ben's mother, radiating authority and hostility. Jamie knew immediately that this wasn't a friendly visit.
Mrs. Lucas didn't bother stepping further into the room. She stayed by the door, her commanding voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Jamie, I paid you a million to leave my son before, and I didn't intend for it to be temporary. But since you're here again, let's put a price on it. Name your figure."
Ben's mother's intentions were clear. She wanted to obliterate any lingering hope Ben might have for Jamie by forcing Jamie to act like she saw him as nothing but a bargaining chip.
Jamie's throat tightened as if a heavy stone was pressing down on her chest. She hadn't anticipated this, but there was no way out now. The situation was already spiraling, and she had to follow through.
Her voice was steady, yet each word
felt like a knife to her own heart. "It was a million last time. Considering Ben's current worth, the price has doubled But since we've done business before, Mrs. Lucas, let's compromise. 1.5 million, and I'll disappear from his life for good. If you want me gone forever, even
dead, I'll oblige."
She deliberately avoided meeting Ben's gaze as she spoke.
Ben's entire body radiated fury, his demeanor like that of a storm about to break. He looked at Jamie as if she had driven a knife straight into his heart. "Jamie, have you gone insane for money?"
Without a second thought, he grabbed her wrist, not caring about her injuries or the IV still attached to her arm. The sheer rage in his actions was palpable.
Jamie winced at the pain but kept her composure. She knew this was the only way to ensure they all got out of this mess with the least amount of damage. If she didn't follow through, the consequences would be even worse.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
Looking straight at Mrs. Lucas, she said, her tone biting, "You set the price before. Now that I've named mine, what's the issue? Or are you unwilling to pay?"
Mrs. Lucas hadn't expected Jamie
to play along so seamlessly,
especially in front of Ben. With Ben's current wealth and status, Jamie could have easily appealed to him and relied on his help. Yet, she had chosen to take the brunt of Mrs. Lucas's manipulation and reinforce her cruel act.
Mrs. Lucas let out a humorless laugh and turned to her son. "See, Ben? This woman you risked everything for doesn't value you in the slightest. You mean less than a price tag to her." Ben, already reeling from Jamie's words, felt his heart shatter under his mother's additional blows. The pain was too much, and he erupted, his voice filled with agony and fury.
"Enough! Both of you, shut up!" He
turned to Jamie, his eyes blazing with rage. "Jamie, the pain you've caused me, I'll make sure you feel it a hundredfold. This isn't over. And as for you, Mom, don't think for a second that manipulating me like this will work!"