CH008: Debt Paid, War Declared

[ BROOKLYN ]

Mr. Armani lets out a harsh scoff as he stares at the cheque again. Irritation and disbelief twist his face.

“What do you think you’re doing? Trying to deceive and defraud me just like your father?” He glares at me.

Mom leans closer and whispers, her voice shaking with shock. “Brooklyn, where did you get this kind of money from?”

“I’ll explain everything when we get home.” I whisper back. Even though disbelief still fills her eyes, she pulls back and stays quiet.

I turn my attention back to Mr. Armani. Seeing him like this almost makes me want to laugh.

He should be happy his money is finally coming back, but instead he looks pissed. Of course. This was never really about the debt. It was about using it to control and crush my family.

Well, that bullshit ends today. I didn’t sell my soul to the devil for nothing.

“Why would I try to deceive you, Mr. Armani?” I ask, keeping my voice calm and light. A small, teasing smile curves my lips. The kind I know will piss him off. “What? You think it’s fake? Want to check?”

He stays silent for a moment, eyes darting between me, the cheque, the confused Captain, and back to me. His face hardens, darkness flashing across it.

Then, he points the cheque at me, his voice low and threatening.

“I’ll have my secretary call the bank right now to verify it. And trust me, we’ll get the answer while we’re still standing here.” His teeth flash. “God help you if this cheque is fake. Because if it is, I swear I’ll throw you in that filthy cell for a little family reunion with your thieving father.”

Hearing this, Mom leans in again, fear all over her face. But I speak before she can.

“Sure. Let’s do it. I don’t have all day.”

Mr. Armani scoffs like I’ve lost my mind.

The air in the office grows thick with tension as they start the verification process.

Mr. Armani calls his secretary in: a sharply dressed middle-aged man who follows orders like a trained dog. The Captain just sits there, clearly biased because of the Armanis’ power in this city.

Corrupt bastard.

We watch as the secretary snaps a photo of the cheque and sends it. Minutes later, the bank calls back. Mr. Armani puts the call on speaker, a dark, triumphant look on his face.

The bank employee’s voice fills the room.

“We’ve verified the details, Mr. Armani. The cheque is authentic and the funds are available. Would you like us to deposit it immediately?”

The color drains from Mr. Armani’s face instantly. He turns pale as a ghost.

Mom lets out a heavy breath of relief and almost collapses. I quickly wrap my arm around her to hold her steady. Tears stream down her cheeks as she pants.

Mr. Armani stares at me like he’s seen a ghost.

For me, it feels like a massive stone finally lifts off my chest. Honestly, for a second I was terrified Izaac had played me and the cheque was fake.

Thank fuck it wasn’t.

“I… I can’t accept this,” Mr. Armani stammers, still shaking his head. “There’s no way you could have raised this amount…”

“What matters is that the debt is cleared,” I reply, letting the smile return to my lips. “You don’t need to worry about how I got the money. Just stop messing with my family. Or you’ll have to deal with me directly.”

His face turns red with rage. “You little brat. You think paying this tiny amount gives you the right to speak to me like that?!”

I ignore him and look at the Captain, who is now avoiding my eyes, shame written all over his face.

“Now that the debt is settled,” I say with a sharp smile, “I believe my father will be released immediately. Right, Captain?”

“R-right…” he stutters, clearing his throat. He grabs the desk phone. “I’ll have the officers release him right away.”

“Thank you.” I keep the smile on my face. “My mother and I will wait outside.”

With my arm looped around my mom’s hand, I lead her out of the office.

The moment we sit on the bench in the lobby, she turns to me and starts firing questions.

“Half a million dollars, Brook!” she whispers, eyes wide. “Where did you get that kind of money? Are you hiding something from me? I’m worried sick. What’s going on?”

I sigh and take her hands, squeezing them gently.

“I know you’re scared and overwhelmed. But I need you to trust me, Mom. I’ll explain everything once we get home with Dad. This isn’t the right place to talk.”

She still has a thousand questions in her eyes, but thankfully, she nods.

I pull her head gently onto my shoulder as we wait.

My mind drifts back to Izaac, my stomach knotting tightly as it does so.

I agreed to pretend to be his fiancée for a few months. Just long enough for him to find a real wife before his deadline so he can inherit the company.

Simple exchange.

He pays the debt, I play the part.

But he has no idea what he’s done.

He has no fucking idea that he’s just gave his greatest enemy full access, close proximity, and the perfect position to destroy him and his entire family from the inside.

And I can’t wait to start.