Chapter 3

"What money?" I frowned at Lilian, utterly confused by her sudden demand.

"The money Julian spent on you all these years! You need to pay back every single cent!" Lilian stood there, looking self-righteous.

Isabelle quickly chimed in, nodding along, "That's right! You have to pay every penny back!"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Mrs. Lancaster, are you serious? Didn't Julian hand over his entire paycheck to you for household expenses the moment he got paid?"

I raised an eyebrow. "For years, I was the one covering rent, appliances, clothes, and everything. Honestly, I had almost forgotten about it. But since you've brought it up, let's settle this properly. You owe me money."

I pulled up my phone and opened my financial records. Every transaction was neatly listed.

Julian hadn't just relied on me. He had lived off me. Everything from his underwear to his apartment had been bought with my money.

No wonder Lilian was so desperate to defend this marriage. Without me, she wasn't sure they could ever find another golden opportunity like this again.

"T-This…" Lilian stammered and staggered back a few steps, looking visibly shaken by the astronomical figure displayed on my phone. "Where would I even get that kind of money?"

Even if Julian worked his entire life, he wouldn't be able to earn a fraction of what I had spent on him.

How ironic! The man I had poured my heart—and wealth—into had turned around and betrayed me for another woman.

Even a dog knew loyalty, but some people didn't even measure up to that.

I watched Lilian put on her best sob story, but I only smiled coldly. "Not my problem. I just know one thing—debts must be paid. That's how the world works."

I met her eyes. "If I don't get my money back within three days, I'll see you in court."

To be honest, the money itself didn't matter much to me. I wasn't someone who nitpicked over every dime.

But after seeing the Lancasters' shameless behavior, I realized that some people would never be grateful—no matter how much you gave them.

They needed a harsh lesson—one they wouldn't forget.

"Money… Money…" Lilian muttered blankly, pacing back and forth in agitation.

Then, all of a sudden, she spun around and shouted at me, "Fine! If you want the money back, then return the wedding gift first!"

Isabelle joined in instantly. "That's right! My brother gave you a million dollars as a wedding gift. You can't just keep it!"

Hearing their ridiculous argument, Mom and Dad exchanged a glance, both of them sighing in exasperation.

I held onto the last shred of my patience as I explained, "Mrs. Lancaster, have you forgotten? When your family came to propose, you called me desperate and refused to pay a single cent in wedding gifts.

"It was my parents. Wanting to save your family from embarrassment, they took a million dollars out of their own pockets and told everyone it came from your family."

My parents immediately confirmed my words.

Mom, wrapping her arms around me protectively, said, "That's right! We weren't going to argue over it. That money was meant as a starting fund for both of them."

Her voice hardened. "But since your family has chosen to be so disgraceful, there's nothing more to discuss."

"You—" Lilian's face twisted.

Realizing she could no longer squeeze any money out of me, she finally lost control.

She jabbed a finger in my face, ranting furiously, her anger spilling out uncontrollably, "You shameless woman, Clara Whitmore! You were the one who clung to my son, begging to marry into our family! And now, you're backing out?"

Her voice turned vicious. "Do you think having a little money makes you special? Let me tell you the truth—Julian never even thought you were good enough for him! Who knows if that bastard in your belly is even his?

"Julian has plenty of women lining up for him, but a used-up, discarded woman like you? Good luck finding someone who would want you now!"

My parents' expressions darkened instantly as they heard those filthy words.

Without another glance at Lilian, I pointed toward the security guards.

"What are you standing around for? Get them out of here."