Chapter 45 The Sarcastic Ambrose
"I'm not entirely sure which daughter, but if the Mitchell family wants that project, it's gotta be Owen's biological kid. After all, they're bringing in one of Owen's former students." Vance shrugged.
Ruben glanced at Ambrose. "You wanna go check it out?"
Ambrose didn't budge. He took another sip of his drink. "They're not worth my time."
Ruben nodded immediately. "Fair point. But Scarlett's over there."
"It's not her." Ambrose's tone left no room for doubt.
She was home, juggling two kids. No way she'd show up here.
He drained his glass, then turned to Vance. "The Mitchell family's gunning for the new district's art museum project?"
"Yep. Word is they're pulling out all the stops. Looks like they're going all in." Vance's face twisted with disdain. "Though with all that internal drama they've got going on, I'm surprised they even have bandwidth for this."
"The Mitchell family and their shady tactics." Ruben let out a derisive laugh. "They're becoming a running joke."
Ambrose took another sip, then turned to Ruben. "Go take a look."
Ruben paused, then caught on. His lips curved into a knowing smirk. "Got it. I'll scope it out."
He stood and sauntered toward the entrance.
Ambrose pulled out his phone and texted Chase.
"That intel I asked for on Brielle. Where are we?"
Less than a minute later, Chase replied: [Just finished. Sent everything to your email.]
Ambrose opened his inbox and clicked the message. His eyes darkened as he skimmed the contents.
Soon enough, Ruben returned, his trademark cocky grin plastered across his face.
"Vance, maybe get your facts straight next time. Owen's daughter? More like his ex-stepdaughter."
Silence descended on the room.
Then someone burst out laughing. "Wait—isn't she the one who ran off with all the Mellon family money? Guess she burned through it and now she's name-dropping Owen to scam people!"
Everyone laughed. They all knew about Brielle—the girl who wasn't born into wealth but loved acting like she was.
Scarlett, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. Low-key to a fault.
Scarlett was brilliant—top of her class, the biggest bookworm in their circle. She kept to herself, rarely appearing in public.
But she was stunning. Even with her low profile, she was still the talk of their crowd.
"Speaking of Scarlett, has anyone heard from her lately?" someone asked.
Ruben glanced at Ambrose, who'd been silent this whole time. He was about to speak when someone else piped up.
"Ambrose, didn't you blacklist someone named Scarlett a while back? That wasn't Owen's daughter, was it?"
All eyes turned to Ambrose.
He smiled smoothly and lied without missing a beat. "Nope."
"Wild. I totally thought it was her. Was gonna ask you about it."
Ruben snickered, earning himself a warning glare from Ambrose. He swallowed his laughter.
Then he said, "Ambrose, when I went next door just now, Brielle seemed pretty cozy with the Mitchell family crew. They might actually be planning to use her to land that project. You gonna do something about it?"
Ambrose let out a cold laugh. "No need. Let them play their little game."
After that, the group started drinking and playing cards, but Ambrose wasn't feeling it. He left early.
As he waited for Chase by the entrance, he heard someone call out.
"Mr. Boleyn."
He turned to see Brielle, dolled up in heavy makeup, swaying toward him. When she reached him, she extended her hand.
"Mr. Boleyn, I'm Brielle. Owen's daughter."
"My father told me the Mellon and Boleyn families have always been close."
"I only know of one Mellon family heiress, and her name is Scarlett. Never heard of any Brielle."
Ambrose's tone was ice-cold. His words froze Brielle on the spot.
But she quickly recovered, her voice turning syrupy sweet. "It's not surprising you haven't heard of me, Mr. Boleyn. I was pretty young when I joined the Mellon family. Didn't make many public appearances."
"There are plenty of scammers out there these days. But most people wouldn't dare try to con me. Because if I'm not happy, I can make sure they won't be able to stay in Silverlight City."
Brielle's face stiffened. She quickly pulled back her extended hand.
She stared at Ambrose's striking features, unable to believe that this gorgeous man could have such a cold personality.
Ambrose's expression darkened further. His rebuke was merciless. "Get lost."
Brielle had never been treated like this before. Equal parts furious and humiliated, she spun on her heel and practically ran away, terrified of provoking him further.
Watching Brielle flee, Ambrose's expression finally softened.
---
The next morning, Scarlett arrived at the Police Traffic Division as scheduled.
Ruben personally received her, ushering her into the VIP lounge and offering premium coffee.
"Ms. Mellon, please have some coffee."
Scarlett glanced at her watch. "Wasn't this meeting scheduled for ten? It's already ten-ten. Brielle's still not here?"
"I'll have someone follow up," Ruben assured her.
He returned shortly. "She's on her way. Says she's stuck in traffic."
Scarlett had no choice. She'd already come all this way. Leaving without settling this would be a waste. She'd wait.
Brielle didn't show up until half an hour later. The moment she walked in, Ruben gave her a stern lecture.
Brielle had done it on purpose. She wanted to make Scarlett wait. After that fender bender, Scarlett had the nerve to demand all that money. Making her wait was the least she could do.
"Officer, you know how it is. I had a few too many drinks at a business dinner last night. Overslept. Couldn't help it." Brielle batted her eyes at Ruben.
Ruben's frown deepened. "Fine. Since you're here, let's get this wrapped up. Everyone's time is valuable."
Brielle shot him a look. "Officer, you seem awfully patient with Scarlett. But zero patience for me. You two wouldn't happen to have something going on, would you?"
"Publicly slandering a civil servant? You trying to spend ten days to two weeks behind bars?" Ruben's expression turned stormy.
Brielle backpedaled immediately. "I was just kidding! Don't take it seriously!"
"Can we just get this over with? I need to get my car back." She didn't dare push her luck any further.
Scarlett had been sitting the whole time quietly. She didn't speak until Ruben instructed her to collect the settlement payment.
"Just wire transfer it."
Brielle gritted her teeth. Reluctantly, she pulled out her phone and completed the transfer.
"Scarlett, looks like you've really hit rock bottom. Out here scamming people now?"
Scarlett watched the payment confirmation pop up on her screen. Satisfaction bloomed in her chest, but she put on a pitiful act. "Well, life's been rough. What else am I supposed to do after you and your mom ran off with my dad's money?"
"That money was what my mother deserved."
"Want me to calculate exactly how much you and your mother spent while living in my house? I'd be happy to collect on that debt too."
Brielle glared at her venomously. "You always treated my mother like some cheap housekeeper. Scarlett, you're a bully."
"You two ran off with the money, and the first thing you do when you're back is deliberately rear-end me. And I'm the bully?" Scarlett stood, issuing a final warning.
"Don't come near me again, trying to pull this crap. Next time, it won't be as simple as paying up."