Payoff Chapter 13 Early Novels & Stories

"You're truly my darling daughter, Chiara. I knew you were always the kindest, the one who cares most about the family—" I added, "You'll have a 50% annual interest. You'll have to start selling every single thing in the house if you fall behind on payments. You have a three-month limit. If you can't pay all of it back by then, you'll both be out on the street with nothing but the clothes on your backs." "How is this any different from extortion?" Gina yelled, while Giulia stared at me, her jaw dropping in disbelief. I chuckled softly. "You didn't stop to think about the consequences when you bashed me with that ashtray earlier, did you?"

Before I could say something, Spade was already rushing out of his office. I threw up again until there was nothing left. And then the reality hit me like a freight train. How do I pay off my three-million-dollar debt? I was confident it wasn’t out of his good heart. He didn’t have a heart in the first place. Business is business, right?

"I can't offer you that since there have been previous payment plans that were not fulfilled. The only thing you can do is pay the current debt amount." "Three million?" I practically yelled, scaring Marisol, who started crying. "I don't have that money..." "It's the best we can do given your current situation," my account manager informed me. "You're already four installments behind, and in four days, we'll protest another one, and your case will go to the legal department. Once it's there, there's nothing more I can do."

The room waited. She didn’t move. Didn’t blink. For one terrible second I thought she hadn’t heard me. That she was going to let me stand there and beg forever. Then her phone vibrated. Not hers. Ethan’s. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his smile sharpened. He turned the phone toward me. Notification. Bank transfer. Three lines. All marked: PAID IN FULL. “Cross Industries,” Ethan read aloud, voice pleasant. “Outstanding debt: $87 million. Settled 8:52 AM. Assets unfrozen. Liens released. Credit lines restored.”

"Well,I knew you're quite surprised to see me here this early morning,sorry for not informing you earlier" "I'm sorry"He stuttered with his lips trembling and he smiled. "The deadline elapsed six days ago,why haven't you pay my money" "I'm sorry,I am financially unstable for now,I have no money on me but I promise to pay you before the end of this month" "Becky"He called and his personal assistant walk up to him. "In the documents he signed,Is he given any extra day to pay the money in case he wasn't able to pay the money when he ought to pay?"

“I’ll cut the crap with you. Pay up what you owe. Clear the remaining 1.01 million dollars today and I’ll let you go.” Howard’s hair was pulling against his scalp. “Mr. Hayes…I…I…can’t come up with so much money right now. Can you give me a few more days? I’ll make sure to collect 1.01 million and return it all!” “Do you take me as a fool? You’re repaying this sum to me today! Otherwise, I’ll feed you to the sharks…” Gordon said sharply, “You Carters are rich, no? You can ask your family to pay the debt for you. Oh-ho! Look at my memory. I forgot. George kicked you out of the Carters. They cut ties with you, so they won’t repay the debt for you. Looks like the only choice left is feeding you

After subtracting all payments and interest, she still owed $114,000. At her current pace, she'd be done in about a year. That was eleven years faster than the original thirteen-year projection. The price was gutting her entire lifestyle—moving to a run-down studio, cutting all non-essential spending, saving every cent of commission toward the debt. I didn't know whether she'd changed because of legal pressure or because something had actually clicked at that elevator in the mall. It didn't matter anymore. On the last business day before the new year, I received a deposit notification for $11,400.

And now, standing before them, he had undeniable proof. He cleared his throat. "Mom, the early repayment was approved. The bank took the money, and we don’t have to worry about the mortgage anymore.” Martina’s eyes widened in delight, her lips parting in an almost giddy smile. But within moments, that excitement morphed into something else—greed.

"If you end this arrangement early, you pay back ten times what you've received." The number hit me like a physical blow. Ten times. That would be millions. Money I didn't have, could never have.

"That loan you gave me...." Will he be unhappy about this? He'll be making less out of the deal.... "Mmm? What about it?" "I can pay you back now." He pauses, beer can halfway to his mouth. "Already? A year early?" "Yes, a year early. Is that alright with you?" "Alright? Of course it's alright. Michael, I'm delighted for you. I know how much work you've put into making your business work. It's good to see you getting the payback."