CHAPTER 4

Eva Brooks:

Arriving at the White Estate gate where Cruz lives, the taxi driver pulled to a stop. I settled my fare and stepped out.

My only brother got married to Maddison Brooklyn, a rich man's daughter, and she was too pompous and proud. She went along with my older sister, Elora.

Sighing, I walked up to meet the estate security man.

"Yes, who are you here to see?" the tough-looking security man in black asked.

"Um, I am here to see my older brother, Cruz Brooks. He lives in the estate," I said, already exhausted.

On a Saturday morning like this, I knew I should have been at home resting. But here I was, standing in front of an estate gate.

"Call him," the security man replied, ordering me to stand aside. I knew I wouldn't be allowed entry into the estate.

Pulling out my phone, I called Cruz. However, I was stunned when I saw a black Rolls Royce driving into the estate gate. The White Estate was known to habitate many wealthy billionaires in Dominic City.

Gulping, I froze as my gaze locked with Ethan Owen—the same man I had a one-night stand with a few hours ago.

*What was he doing here? Did he live inside this White Estate too?* I gulped and immediately looked away, pretending I didn't know him. But his gaze bored into me; I could feel the intensity of it.

Another security man pulled the magnificent gate open and Ethan's car drove in. Not just his car alone—I noticed bodyguards in another black convoy following behind him. I released the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Hello, Cruz, I am at the estate gate now," I informed my older brother on the call.

"I will be there now," Cruz replied, and the call ended. I took out my white handkerchief from my bag and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

A few minutes later, my brother arrived with a red sports car and parked. The security man finally let me enter.

"Eva, take a look at your face and neck. What the heck?" Cruz gasped. I was stunned—I hadn't taken a look at myself in the mirror.

"What happened to me? What do you mean?" I asked, laughing nervously. I walked up to his car and peered at my reflection in the mirror. I was shocked by the sight that beheld me. My cheek was painted red and hickeys covered my neck.

"What???" I gasped, embarrassed by my own state.

"I didn't know I look this bad. I am sorry," I said. My brother shook his head, still laughing at my embarrassment.

"This is enough for Jacob Stone to break up with you. Who did you get laid with?" His eyes peered at me, and I lowered my head as my cheeks flushed.

"It's not important to talk about the man. It's a one-night stand," I replied, my voice trembling as my older brother towered above me.

"One-night stand, and he painted you this red? Do you happen to know him?"

"No… I… I mean, I don't know him," I replied, my voice quivering.

"Cruz, can you take me to your house and stop asking me questions?" I said, wanting to escape my brother's inquiry. He peered at me with a calculated gaze.

"Eva, why do I feel like you're lying to me and you know the man you had a night with? Well, in case you are not aware, Jacob cancelled the engagement and he is demanding the sum of 10 million dollars as compensation for all the money he spent on you." Cruz moved over to pull his car door open for me.

"What? Ten million dollars? When did Jacob spend such a huge amount on me? The university cost only $800,000 per year—times four years, and a few more expenses. Let's say a total of $4,000,000. When did he ever spend up to $10,000,000 on me? Even the money he spent isn't up to $4,000,000," I said, my voice sharp. Cruz exhaled.

"Well, that's what Jacob is demanding as compensation for you cheating on him. As for Dad, he broke off the partnership and demands that Dad pay him 5 million as his support f*e. So that's a total of 15 million dollars we have to pay Jacob now," Cruz said calmly as I sat in his car.

"I will not pay that amount. We dated and I don't owe Jacob anything. Where is it written that you have to pay for breakup as compensation? I didn't intend to cheat on him. Layla set me up, and I ought to have her arrested. How can Jacob not understand? Instead he blocked me from contacting him." I ranted, wanting to visit Jacob and Layla, only I looked so flushed at the moment.

"Mmm." My brother exhaled. "It's why you should have kept your guard up. You already made the mistake and Jacob caught you. But how about the man you slept with? Did he see Jacob and you disagreeingat the hotel? If he is able to afford a room at the Owen's luxury five-star hotel, then he must be a big shot." Cruz's gaze was calculative.

"I don't want to talk about the man. He said that I owe him for taking advantage of him," I replied, and my brother burst out laughing.

"The man took advantage of you, and he blames you for taking advantage of him? Well, I will say you let him go. But if you happen to know him, you could have made him explain to Jacob that it was a setup," Cruz said. I shook my head.

"Just take me home. I will confront Layla and Jacob later," I replied, exhausted.

Cruz closed the car door, walked over to the driver's seat, got in, and fastened his seat belt.

"About my wife," he said. I knew Maddison and I didn't get along.

"You have to put up with her tantrums and not argue with her," he reminded me. I sighed.

"Why will Maddison be the one controlling you? You didn't marry her for her money. If you didn't help in her father's company, Almond Tech wouldn't have grown to the height it is today."

I knew my brother worked for Maddison's father before he got married to her. But she controlled him to the point she didn't allow their baby to answer my brother's surname. Her baby is Chris Brooklyn, instead of Chris Brooks.

"It doesn't change anything, so long as we love each other," Cruz replied. I didn't have the time to advise him. He was 30 years old, old enough to make his own decisions.

I sat silently, watching the road as Cruz drove his red sports car down the White Estate road. He finally arrived at a white gate and parked.