Chapter 154

At this point, a look of contempt flashed across Owen's eyes as he said with some disdain: "Also, not that I'm looking down on you, but you've been a pretty pathetic excuse for a husband. You've been with the Perez family for a while now, and honestly, yeah, you've caused us some trouble, but you've also helped us out quite a bit. But what good has it done you? You're still nobody in this family. I know I probably shouldn't say this as your elder, but let's be real — you and Elizabeth are husband and wife in name only. I'd bet you two haven't even held hands once. And sure, things are rocky between you and Elizabeth, I get that, you two didn't know each other long before getting married. But what about Ava and Mason? How is their attitude toward you any different from Elizabeth's?"

Owen paused and, seeing no change in David's expression, continued.

"David, I'll tell you right now — the moment you sell off all those plots of land, the first thing Elizabeth will do is divorce you. She'll take half, leaving you with maybe seven or eight hundred million dollars. And that's the best case scenario. Knowing Ava and Mason the way I do, if Elizabeth decides to divorce you, they'll do everything they can to make sure you walk away with nothing. And then you'll really be in trouble."

Zane caught on to what Owen was getting at and chimed in: "Owen, I think you're actually being too optimistic. You think Ava and Mason would just let David walk away with nothing? That would actually be getting off easy. What I'm worried about is them going for the kill — using their connections to get David thrown in prison for three to five years. That would be a whole lot worse."

Owen nodded eagerly. "Exactly, exactly. So David, your best move right now is to work with us. Give us a portion of your land first. You get the cash, we'll help you set up an overseas account, and you can move your money out of the country. Even if Elizabeth dumps you down the road, you'll have plenty of money and can find someone better anytime, anywhere, right?"

David was completely floored. He thought to himself: What a loving family this is. They call themselves brothers, but honestly, what's the difference between them and enemies?

Just as that thought crossed his mind, Ava arrived pushing Mason's wheelchair.

What Zane didn't know was that Ava and Mason had been standing outside the door for seven or eight minutes already, and had heard every word the two brothers said to David loud and clear.

When Ava and Mason appeared before them, Zane still had the nerve to plaster on a smile and say, "What brings you two here? I..."

Before he could finish, Ava pointed at Zane and snapped furiously: "Zane, what is wrong with you? Elizabeth and David have barely been married any time at all, and you're already hoping they'll get divorced? You're Elizabeth's third uncle, for God's sake. Instead of wishing the kids a happy life, you're saying something this heartless. You..."

Seeing Ava tear into her husband like that, Quinn wasn't having it. She crossed her arms and said coldly, "Ava, that's enough. This is my home. Besides, weren't we just telling the truth? Ever since David married Elizabeth, everyone has seen how you've all treated him. And Elizabeth — has she ever once looked at David like he actually matters? David is good-looking, capable, and a member of the Jones family. What exactly makes him not good enough for your Elizabeth? If you ask me, it's Elizabeth who doesn't deserve David."

Hearing all this, David realized that these three brothers were about to start an all-out war today.

With that in mind, David quickly stood up and said, "Alright, everyone stop arguing for a second. Uncle Zane, where's your bathroom? Can I use it real quick?"

Zane pointed upstairs. David hurried up, and by the time he stepped into the bathroom and closed the door, the argument downstairs had already erupted into full chaos.

Inside, David's eyes landed on the back window. He pushed it open and jumped down.

He left the house, walked to the roadside, flagged down a car, and pulled out his phone to call Hayden.

"Hayden, you need to get over to Zane's place. They're fighting — the three brothers have turned on each other. If you don't come deal with this soon, someone might actually get hurt today."

Hayden had been reading news about the South District Lowlands development project when David's words hit him out of nowhere, leaving him stunned.

"Fighting? What happened?"

David had no idea and said with a helpless smile, "How would I know what happened? Just come see for yourself."

With that, David hung up.

The Perez family was in complete chaos.

Meanwhile, at the Wilson family home.

When Mia heard that the South District Lowlands project was about to break ground, she was filled with regret. Back then, she had been so sure that the Cole Group wouldn't last, and when they had specifically set aside three percent equity for her, she had turned it down.

If only she had taken that three percent stake, she would have gotten at least 250 acres of land in the South District Lowlands. At current market prices, 250 acres would have brought the Wilson family six hundred million dollars.

The more she thought about it, the more furious she got. Such a huge opportunity, and David had walked away with all of it.

Back home, Mia was stewing in her anger when Atticus walked in with a serious look on his face. Seeing Mia at home, he was a little surprised and asked, "Didn't you go out to eat with Michael and David today? Why are you back so early?"

Mia sighed and said, "How long does a meal take?"

That answer didn't tell him much, so Atticus forced a small smile and asked, "What's wrong? You don't look too happy."

Mia clenched her fists and said irritably, "Dad, have you heard? The South District Lowlands project is about to break ground, and it's going to be one of the biggest projects in the whole state, maybe even the whole country."

Atticus nodded slowly, sat down on the sofa, and sighed. "What does it matter now?"

Mia said, word by word, "If I had known, I would have taken that three percent equity Ethan offered me back then."