Shattered Rose He Held On Tight novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325 One Million

Chapter 325 One Million

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“Lydia.” Lottie locked eyes with her, that haughty face as overbearing as ever. “We lived under the same roof for 17 years. You really think you hid everything that well? Back when you were hustling for roles, those girls you pushed around–were they all asking for it, or did you rig the game? I’m no saint, but your hands aren’t clean either. You think you’d survive a real

investigation?”

Lydia froze.

Sometimes, the ones who know you best aren’t your enemies–it’s

your family.

Seventeen years together. Compared to a busy husband and an easy–to–fool youngest son, Lottie had been there for every beat of Lydia’s upbringing.

Even if she’d been blind once, now that her head was clear, she could connect the dots–the things Lydia had done versus the tidy version Lydia told.

Lydia stared back, a curl of mockery in her eyes. Of course. When had the Lancasters ever been truly naive?

“I can drop the charges, but you’re not getting away with giving me nothing.”

Clarence, seeing his mother had her by the throat, stepped in. “One million.”

Lydia’s eyes flew wide. “At the hospital, you said ten million. You playing me?”

Ten million was already miles from her opening ask. She’d agreed to back off, and Clarence still dared to slash it.

Clarence didn’t even flinch. “The company’s tanking. The Lancasters are underwater. Give it a minute, and even this house gets repossessed. Scraping together a million is already a miracle.”

Lottie’s gaze stayed cool. “I’ve lived long enough. If it comes to it–so I don’t drag Clarence and Zane down–I can go to jail.”

Lydia ground her teeth.

They’d planned this. The whole family.

But she didn’t have a choice. She really couldn’t afford anyone digging.

She thought of that money she’d siphoned when she worked at Lancaster Group and swallowed her fury. “One million it is. I want it tomorrow.”

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20:02 Fri, Oct 17

Chapter 325 One Million

“And,” she added to Clarence, “you’re getting me an invitation.”

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Lydia stormed out.

Watching his family tear each other up over the price of a jewelry set from years ago, Zane realized he was getting used to it.

Fresh out of the police station, he didn’t escape the family tribunal either.

Wilson leveled a glare at him. “All your cars are sold. Your allowance stops this month. You’ve been an adult for years–stop dumping trouble on your brother and figure out what you’re doing after graduation.”

Zane blinked.

His life plan had always been simple: eat, drink, play, and be a happy, rich kid.

Before tonight, his biggest pain was family drama.

Now, his parents were telling him to figure out a way to earn his keep. It felt like they’d tossed a toddler into the ocean. Panic spread, endless and cold.

“Aren’t you still here?” he blurted.

Hearing their youngest act like their support was eternal, Wilson’s anger flared. “Lean on us? You expect your mother and me to carry you forever? What happens when we’re gone? Your sister was on her own at 18!”

The last line hit, and the room went still.

Everyone suddenly stopped talking.

Claudia had no idea the Lancasters had dredged her up in another family blowup.

And even if she’d known, she wouldn’t have cared.

She was cranking on deadlines, tagging along with a certain someone in the daytime, then logging into games half the night. Every hour on her schedule was spoken for.

Tilda had pinged her two days ago: their new dance drama had officially premiered in Marvonia–and the crowd went wild.