Chapter 44


    "What I''m getting here is, you''re willing to help Cindy get my mother''s approval as long as I pay the right price, right?" Bruce hummed.


    Maybe it was just my imagination, but I felt like Bruce raised his tone when he said this.


    I replied truthfully, “It depends on how much you''re willing to offer, Mr. Harold."


    Dignity meant nothing in the face of money.


    A chuckle came from the other end of the line. “You better keep your word, Nancy Fisher.."


    He was probably questioning the loyalty of his business partner.


    After pondering for a few seconds, I licked my lips and asked, "So, how much are you willing to offer?"


    There was suddenly silence on the other end of the phone. I thought the call was cut off. But when I nced at my phone screen, the call was still


    connected.


    I figured Bruce was figuring out the right price. so I didn’t rush and remained calm


    After a while. I heard Bruce say, "I''ll reward you greatly if you can get the Harold family to ept Cindy."


    “How much are we talking about? Is it enough to buy a house?" I pressed on.


    Bruce must have not expected such shamelessness from me. After a moment of hesitation, he sighed. "Fine, I''ll reward you with a house.”


    He hung up after that.


    I sighed. I was starting to regret not discussing the down payment with Bruce


    Perhaps the years of being together had created some understanding between us. After a moment, I actually received a transfer of fifty thousand


    dors from him. The note attached to it read: "Down payment."


    I immediately transferred the money to Tina.


    It was already 10 p.m., but Tina called me within the next two minutes. "Nance, why did you suddenly transfer me so much money?"


    I shrugged. "I made a business deal."


    “You shouldn''t have transferred all of it to us." Tina sounded tired. "Alex''s condition has improved a lot recently, and they rarely get sick. You should


    keep some money for yourself.”


    Alex had asthma and would often


    get sick iecthe autumn and winter.


    There were a few times when they


    almost didn''t recoverst year:


    Tina''s) words were probably jist to


    comfort me.


    -


    It was always good to keep some emergency funds.


    I bit back my sadness and came up with ame excuse before ending the call


    On Saturday, I was working overtime as usual when Dous came over. He closed myptop and stared at my wrist.


    I gave him a weird look and asked, "What''s wrong, Dous?”


    "Why are you still working with an injured wrist? What if it doesn''t healpletely?” Dous frowned


    I sighed. "It''s just a scratch, no big deal.”


    Dous looked as if he wanted to rebuke.


    I figured he had something on his mind, so I stopped working and asked, "What''s wrong?"


    Dous scratched his head and probed, "There''s a party tomorrow night and I need a date. Are you free tomorrow?"


    Before I could respond, my phone suddenly buzzed. It was a message from Caroline. "Is Mr. Irvin with you yet?”


    it was obvious Caroline was the one


    who told Dous about my injured


    wrist. “wondered if they talked


    about tomorrow night''s party.


    I couldn''t find a good excuse to reject Dous''s invitation.? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Dous probably sensed my hesitation and kindly said, “It''s okay if you''re busy. Maybe next time."


    I felt bad. "Is there a dress code?"


    "Pardon?" Dous was perplexed


    "Like attires, gifts, and so on.” I exined patiently.


    Dous was grinning from ear to ear now. "No need for that. You just have to show up."


    Despite his words, I still couldn''t be


    too casubout it. I''ve heard about


    Joddegdon and Saza''s rich circles. If


    fooled: around even in the slightest,


    it weuld be a huge blow to Dous''s


    image. .