The crowd instantly erupted in criticism against Cassandra. “Miss Barnes, the Nolans raised you for so many years. Doing this to them is truly ungrateful.”
“That’s right, Miss Barnes. A person should know how to repay kindness.”
“Exactly! If you really want to repay them, you should at least be sincere. Two hundred thousand might be a lot for ordinary people, but for people in our circle, it’s just the price of a luxury item.”
Matthew spoke up at the perfect moment. “Everyone, there’s been a misunderstanding. The Nolans raised Miss Barnes for twelve years and the total expenses only amounted to a little over $100000, not two hundred thousand.”
“Miss Barnes has a kind heart. She not only paid them double but even rounded it up.” Matthew’s words instantly silenced those who had just been questioning her. If the Nolans had indeed treated Cassandra as their own daughter, how could raising her for twelve years cost only one hundred thousand?
The tide of public opinion shifted abruptly, and the way everyone looked at Eric and Ariel instantly changed. There was disdain, mockery
Ariel felt humiliated. She stiffened her neck and argued, “You’re lying! Don’t think I don’t know Sam prepared a birthday gift for you every year and they weren’t cheap! The total definitely exceeds one hundred thousand!”
Cassandra smirked coldly. “I already returned every single gift from those twelve years. Didn’t Samuel tell you?”
All eyes turned to Samuel, who hesitated before speaking with difficulty. “Cassie is right. She gave everything back. She didn’t take a single thing with her.”
Still, Ariel refused to back down. “Repaying kindness isn’t just about money. The Nolans provided you with opportunities and exposure that you would never have had in an orphanage!”
Cassandra laughed. She had lived in the Nolans’s house for twelve years, yet she didn’t even know the name of their company, let alone enjoy any so–called benefits. Sure, Ariel had taken her to some banquets, but only to show off the family’s generosity. Her voice turned icy. “What if I insist on settling everything today?”
Ariel finally saw it clearly. Cassandra was determined to cut ties. Since that was the case, she wouldn’t hold back either. “If you really want to settle things, fine. Give us twenty million and we’ll act as if we never raised you.”
Samuel couldn’t take it anymore. He strode forward and growled, “Mom! What are you doing?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing? We raised her all these years, and now that she’s found her biological parents, I’m only asking for twenty million. What’s wrong with that?” Ariel retorted.
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she wouldn’t hold back either. “If you really want to settle things, fine. Give us twenty million and we’ll act as if we never raised you.”
Samuel couldn’t take it anymore. He strode forward and growled, “Mom! What are you doing?”
“What do you mean, what am I doing? We raised her all these years, and now that she’s found her biological parents, I’m only asking for twenty million. What’s wrong with that?” Ariel retorted.
Eric chimed in, “Sam, your mother is right. This is what we deserve.”
Cassandra remained calm. “Twenty million? I already gave it to you, but you threw it away. Remember the gift box I brought to the villa half a month ago? Inside was a villa, a luxury car, and a check for ten million. Altogether, it was worth twenty million. But you threw it away. You thought it was worthless junk. You didn’t even bother opening it.”
Eric and Ariel completely broke down. That gift box was worth that much? They would have clung to it for dear life if they had known. Why would they ever throw it away?
Cassandra could not help but smile when he saw Eric and Ariel’s pained expressions. They were accomplices in taking her kidney, but she decided not to dwell on it, considering the years they had raised her.
Samuel clenched his fists as he watched his parents lose all composure. His voice was tight with frustration. “Cassie, I know you hate me. If you have any resentment, take it out on me.”
Cassandra sneered. “Samuel, what makes you think you’re any better? You married me while still having an affair with your first love. It was your indulgence that made me kneel on the stone steps for a hundred steps in the pouring rain. It was also your support that allowed others to take my kidney!”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.