Chapter 59 The Richest in Sweetwater City
Chase shot her a sharp look. "How many times do I have to tell you? If you're not feeling well, go to the hospital. Stop calling me. I'm not a doctor."
Brielle felt even more wronged. Tears pooled in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Pamela immediately jumped in. "Chase, don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of Brie. I absolutely won't let anything happen to our Whitmore family baby. Now that Serena's landed you such a huge project, she's a hero to the Whitmore family. Spend time with her. Don't worry about anything else."
Chase grunted in agreement, then turned back to Brielle. "I'll reach out when it's convenient. So don't call me unless it's actually important."
Those words broke the dam. Tears streamed down Brielle's face like a broken string of pearls.
Chase didn't say another word. Not even a word of comfort. He just hit the gas and drove off.
Brielle bit her lip hard, watching him disappear into the distance. Her eyes burned with resentment.
Pamela, on the other hand, was thrilled. Thinking about her son becoming Sweetwater City's richest man filled her with uncontainable joy. But when she turned and saw Brielle's tear-streaked face, irritation flashed across her features. Her expression hardened. "This is incredible news. What the hell are you crying about? Serena helped Chase—that's her skill. You don't have the skills to help Chase, so your job is to stay home and have that baby. This was the path you chose. Know your place. And don't you dare try to sabotage Serena and Chase's relationship. You hear me?"
Those last four words came out with extra force, making Brielle flinch.
She hadn't expected Pamela to flip sides so quickly. Just moments ago, the woman had despised Serena.
Now Brielle was regretting bringing Pamela here at all. When Chase had taken her to visit Pamela in the countryside, she'd picked up on Pamela's dislike for Serena through subtle comments. She'd thought Pamela would be a powerful ally. Turned out Pamela was just as money-hungry as everyone else. For a shot at wealth, she'd changed teams in a heartbeat.
Brielle seethed with anger and frustration, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Pamela looked at her with obvious disdain, as if reading her thoughts. "What, you got a problem with that? You think you would've gotten with Chase if he didn't have money? People like you only go after guys like my son for their bank accounts. That's why you were willing to be the other woman in the first place, isn't it? Don't act all innocent and noble and wounded. Has Chase treated you badly? Has he?"
Pamela might be from the countryside, but she wasn't stupid. Now that her son was about to become Sweetwater City's richest man, she absolutely would not allow anyone to jeopardize his future. Brielle was nothing more than a baby-making tool. Pamela could take care of Brielle for the sake of her grandson, and she could just as easily protect Serena for the sake of money.
Having her facade ripped away so brutally left Brielle's face burning with humiliation. Still, she managed to protest weakly. "My feelings for Chase are real. I'm not with him for money. You've misunderstood me."
"Save it." Pamela's knowing look was accompanied by a derisive snort. "Don't bother with the act around me. You think I didn't notice you faking that stomachache last night to trick Chase into coming back? I didn't call you out on it for my grandson's sake, that's all. Right now is a critical time for my son. You can't drag him down. You hear me? Hand over your phone. No contacting him for a while. If Serena finds out you exist, I won't forgive you."
Pamela extended her palm expectantly.
Brielle clutched her phone tightly, refusing to hand it over. Her voice came out small and aggrieved. "Mrs. Whitmore, I still need to call a car. This is a luxury complex—there aren't any taxis around here."
"Then hurry up and call one!"
Pamela's bark made Brielle flinch again. She didn't dare say another word. Head bowed, she opened her rideshare app.
Watching her submit so meekly, Pamela let out a cold, contemptuous laugh. This Brielle was so much easier to control than Serena. During that period when she'd lived with Serena, that woman had never once swallowed her pride. The moment Pamela made her uncomfortable, Serena would fire back. She never compromised, never backed down. She always had to argue about right and wrong until the bitter end.
Pamela had been constantly infuriated by Serena with no way to fight back. That's why she'd never liked her.
But things were different now. Serena could help Chase become Sweetwater City's richest man. Once that happened, Chase could have as many women as he wanted. She could have as many grandchildren as she wanted. When that day came, what would Serena or Brielle even matter?
So for the sake of becoming the richest man in Sweetwater City, for the sake of that beautiful future, Pamela could force herself to like Serena even if she didn't. That was the magic of money.
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Meanwhile, Chase raced to the clubhouse like his life depended on it. Since Serena had blocked him, he'd had to ask Kevin which private room she and Adrian were in. He headed straight there.
Inside the private room, the atmosphere was pleasant and relaxed. Daisy had invited several people beyond just Adrian and Serena—including Sam, CEO of the Johnson Group, and some of the Chasey Group's business partners. These were people who normally couldn't get a meeting with Adrian. Today, with this rare opportunity, they took turns toasting him one by one.
Daisy sat with Serena, the two of them chatting quietly.
When Chase pushed open the door, the mood froze for a split second. Everyone's eyes first landed on Chase, then swiveled in unison toward Serena.
Serena's reaction was minimal—just one cold glance in Chase's direction. She didn't say a word to him.
Finally, Daisy broke the silence. "Mr. Whitmore, what brings you here?"
Chase frowned when he saw her there. Then he noticed some of the Chasey Group's business partners seated around the table. Confusion swirled through him. He had no idea what was actually going on here. But with so many people present, he couldn't very well interrogate Serena directly.
Swallowing his questions, he walked toward Adrian with a smile. "My apologies, Mr. Locke. I got held up with something and arrived late. I hope you'll forgive me."