The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 35

35 An Unhinged Arrival

I stared at my phone, calculating the numbers again in my head. Eight million for my share of the villa was less than I deserved, but I’d rather take a loss than owe Alistair anything more.

“Are you sure?” Alistair asked for the third time. “I’m perfectly willing to give you fifteen million. The property’s value has increased substantially.”

“Eight million is fair for my investment.” My voice remained cold. “I just want what I put into it, nothing more.”

“This isn’t about fairness, Hazel. You deserve-”

“I said eight million.” I cut him off sharply. “Transfer the funds today, and I’ll meet you tomorrow at the government center to sign over the deed.”

Silence stretched across the line before Alistair sighed. “Fine. Have it your way.”

After hanging up, I sank onto my couch and ran through the numbers again. The eight million. plus my savings would give me roughly twenty–five million. The auction house estimated my mother’s jade bracelet would go for at least a hundred million.

I was seventy–five million short.

My stomach twisted into knots. That bracelet was the last piece of my mother I could reclaim. When father forced her to sell it during their divorce, something in her had broken

permanently. Getting it back wouldn’t bring her back, but it felt like the one thing I could still do

for her.

My phone buzzed with a notification. Alistair had sent the transfer confirmation. At least he’d been prompt about that.

The next morning, I arrived at the government property center fifteen minutes early. I wanted this over with. Standing in the sterile hallway, I glanced at my watch repeatedly, my nerves wound tight.

“Hazel.”

I looked up to see Alistair approaching. He looked exhausted, dark circles under his eyes contrasting with his expensive suit. In his hands were two paper cups.

“I brought you hot cocoa. You always preferred it over coffee.” He offered one of the cups.

I stared at it without taking it. “No, thank you.”

“It’s just a drink, Hazel.” His voice carried a hint of frustration.

“I don’t want anything from you besides what we agreed to.”

10:30

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35 An Unhinged Arrival

He set the rejected cup on a nearby bench and took a sip from his own. “The transfer went through, right? All eight million?”

“Yes.”

“I still think you’re being ridiculous. The villa is worth thirty million at minimum.”

I crossed my arms. “Then you’re getting quite a deal, aren’t you?”

Before he could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and his expression tightened. He answered with forced cheerfulness.

“Hey, sweetheart. How are you feeling today?”

I didn’t need to hear the other end of the conversation to know it was Ivy. A familiar coldness spread through my chest.

“Just at a meeting with investors,” Alistair lied smoothly. “Should be done in an hour or so.”

I could hear Ivy’s voice raise through the phone, though I couldn’t make out her words.

Alistair’s face paled. “No, I’m not. Why would you think that?”

More shouting from the other end. Alistair moved a few steps away, lowering his voice.

“Ivy, you need to calm down. Your blood pressure—”

The shouting grew louder. I could almost make out her accusations now.

“You’re with her, aren’t you? You’re with Hazel!”

Alistair turned his back to me. “That’s ridiculous. I told you I’m at—”

“Don’t lie to me!” Ivy’s shriek was clear even from where I stood. “Sarah saw your car parked at the government center! What business do you have there except with her? You promised me you’d cut all ties!”

I watched Alistair’s shoulders tense. He was caught in his own web of lies.

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