Without waiting for my response, Brooke snapped impatiently, “Dad, stop with the pointless talk. She’s broke. If I don’t finalize the paperwork, she’ll cling to me forever.”
Nette gave a regretful sigh. “Well, if there’s no money, there’s still her. She’s got some charm left. After she’s bankrupt, no one else will want her. Might as well come to my house—do the laundry, cook during the day, and keep me company at night.”
His words made my teeth clench with rage, but I swallowed my anger. After all, Brooke was still legally my daughter. “Are we doing this or not? If not, I’m leaving. I’m not the one desperate here.”
Brooke didn’t dare argue with Nette, so she shot me a glare. “You seduced my dad without any decency. Just get inside and handle the paperwork.”
The process was quick and straightforward. Soon enough, Brooke and I were no longer connected in any legal sense. With that, Nette dropped all pretenses.
“So, what do you think? My offer still stands. I told you years ago to marry me, but you refused. If you’d listened, you’d be home now, taking care of your husband and kids, not going bankrupt.”
He reached out to grab me, but before he could lay a finger on me, my bodyguard stepped in. “Ms. Stone, the car is ready,” he said coolly.
I didn’t bother wasting words on this pathetic bunch. I simply turned and got into the luxury car—a million-dollar beauty I’d originally planned as a gift for Brooke.
Seeing me in the car, Brooke rushed over and yanked the door open without thinking. “Wait, aren’t you bankrupt? How can you afford a new car?”
I didn’t answer. Instead, I smiled. “Do you like it? It was supposed to be your birthday present. But, well, seems like you missed out. Guess I’ll enjoy it myself.”
“My gift?” Brooke stared at the car, disbelief etched on her face. “No way. This car costs at least ten million. You’re bankrupt—where’d you get that kind of money?”
I chuckled and replied with a question of my own. “Who said I was really bankrupt?”
Brooke blinked, dumbfounded. “You did. You said it yourself.”
Nette chimed in, nodding smugly. “Yeah, right after Brooke came home, I went to check out your company. The place was a wreck, just scavengers picking through junk. If that’s not bankruptcy, what is?”
“Do you really think I’d let Brooke terminate the adoption without knowing exactly what I’m doing?” I said calmly. “I know my situation better than anyone. Too bad I’m not a man—it’s still easier for men to make money in this world.”
Brooke’s confidence returned. “Exactly! My dad’s a man—he can see right through women like you.”
Dwight snickered. “Sis, can’t you tell? She rented that car. All your schooling, and you still can’t spot the obvious.”
But Brooke didn’t get angry. She smirked. “I didn’t realize it at first, but you’re right, Dwight. If you were a girl, you’d be as naive as she is. Women are so predictable.”
She turned back to me, her smile dripping with condescension. “I thought you were a smart, successful woman. But here you are, pulling cheap tricks. You rented this car to make me think you’re not bankrupt, hoping I’d regret cutting ties. Pathetic.”
Nette ran his hand over the car’s sleek surface, laughing. “This thing must cost a fortune to rent. You’re not young anymore. Can you even afford it? Or are you planning to pay it off the old-fashioned way—selling yourself? Hahaha!”
