Chapter 511:
Brendon laughed, harsh and bitter. “Fine by me. Don’t expect a single cent from the divorce then.”
Christina suddenly stood up and faced him. “So, you really want to see me walk away with nothing?”
Brendon saw her reaction and felt sure his threat had hit home. A smug smile crept across his face. The heavy weight in his chest lightened just a little. He lifted his chin, arrogant. “Come with me now, and I won’t leave you high and dry,” he said, tilting his chin, feeling triumphant.
Christina locked eyes with him, cool as ice. “Let me ask you one thing—do you really want me to walk away with nothing?”
Before Brendon could say a word, Bethel jumped up, fury radiating off her like heat. “Heck no, I don’t agree!” she yelled, eyes stabbing. “Brendon, you said you planned to give her plenty, and now you want to snatch it all back?”
“Grandma, she’s too ungrateful! After everything I gave her, she still fights me? I’ve got every damn right to take it back!” Brendon snapped.
“You!” Bethel grabbed her chest, her face twisted like she was in pain.
Christina hurried over and caught Bethel’s arm to steady her. “Hey, calm down, okay? Don’t work yourself up.”
Bethel took a deep breath to steady herself and then faced Brendon with a mix of confusion and disappointment. “Are you really just going to let Christina walk away with nothing after all this?” She couldn’t wrap her head around how cold her own grandson was being.
Brendon shook his head. “Grandma, I never said she’d get nothing. As long as she keeps her mouth shut and doesn’t cause more drama, I’m open to giving her a bit more.”
Bethel looked at Christina, frowning. “But didn’t you both already sign the divorce papers? Christina, why haven’t you gotten what’s owed to you yet?”
“Yeah, we signed…” Christina began, hesitating.
Brendon jumped in quickly. “You signed. I didn’t. And none of it was ever notarized.”
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Christina’s face went icy. “So, you tricked me, huh?” she snapped, her eyes burning into him. She hadn’t expected him to play such manipulative games over something so minor.
“I didn’t trick you,” Brendon said quickly, almost defensively. “I just didn’t have the time to sign it yet…”
Christina cut him off, her voice sharp. “Well then, just give me what I’m owed.”
“Sure,” Brendon replied smoothly, “But from now on, if I want to talk to you about anything, you better play ball. I expect you to be way more compliant.”
Christina let out a harsh laugh, dripping with sarcasm. “Compliant? Are you kidding me?” What an absolute joke! She had spent three grueling years within the Dawson family, doing nothing but complying with their every whim. And what had it gotten her in return? She had been kind, patiently endured, and obedient through their entire marriage, only to be cruelly tossed aside as if she meant absolutely nothing. Now, Brendon wanted her to walk away with literally nothing? She had only just begun to push back and assert herself after the divorce. And now, Brendon actually expected her to revert to being obedient again? How utterly absurd!
Brendon’s brow furrowed. Christina’s unreadable smile was truly getting under his skin, and he found himself completely unable to decipher her thoughts. This new version of her felt entirely unfamiliar—and yet, strangely, undeniably captivating. It stirred a primal desire within him to control her even more intensely.
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