Chapter 133 The Real Price
Grace had never once remembered how good Eliza had been to the Holt family in her previous life.
Nor had she ever acknowledged Eliza’s contributions.
So now, Eliza had no reason to offer Grace any favors.
Thinking back on all the humiliation she’d suffered, Eliza smiled and said, “Madam Grace, you know I’m living in a rented place right now to study, and with the SAT coming up, things are already tough enough. Let’s not waste each other’s time–better to let the police handle it.”
Just one sentence, and Grace instantly understood Eliza’s meaning. She quickly said, “I know life must be hard for you out there. Here, let me send you five thousand. That way you can improve your living conditions a little.”
Five thousand?
So she really thought she could brush her off like some beggar.
Eliza pretended to hesitate. “How could I possibly take your money? I’m really swamped right now, so I’ll hang up-”
“Elizze, ten thousand! How about ten thousand? I know life’s hard out there, and once you start college, you’ll need money too. As long as Zayden doesn’t end up in jail, I’ll cover all your college expenses going forward.”
Grace had already calculated it all.
Eliza had never been favored in her own home.
Now she’d even cut ties with her family and was out working on her own.
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As a temp at a factory selling goods, how much could she really earn? Maybe three or four thousand a month at best.
Grace figured Eliza had never seen ten thousand in cash before.
For a student, that was a lot.
Hearing Grace’s offer, Eliza chuckled.
She said, “Don’t blame me for being blunt, but this is attempted rape we’re talking about. Trying to settle it with ten thousand? Zayden’s future can’t possibly be that cheap.”
“I didn’t say just ten thousand! Didn’t I also say I’d cover your college expenses? You’re a girl–your tuition isn’t even fully saved up yet, right? Honestly, I know you like Zayden. And I like you too. It’s just that, back then, I was pressured by your mom and Naomi… that’s why I treated you that way. I already talked to Zayden. He likes you too. If you’re willing, you can still marry into the Holt family. Then we’ll be family, and I’ll make sure you always have a place to live.”
Eliza was already well–acquainted with Grace’s tactics.
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It was all just smoke and mirrors–painting some grand fantasy to lure her in.
But Eliza wasn’t stupid. If she couldn’t get something real and solid, she wouldn’t let Zayden off the hook that easily.
Leaning back against the couch, Eliza said, “How about this–I’m a very practical person. No need to meet in person. Just think it over: four years of college tuition, living expenses, and what I’m paying in rent right now. Tally it all up and settle it in one go, and I’ll drop the charges against Zayden.”
“I–You want me to name the amount?”
Grace frowned. “How much do
you want?”
“This should come from you. I don’t want anyone saying I’m extorting you.”
Grace hadn’t expected someone so young to be this calculating.
If Eliza named a price directly, it could be called blackmail.
But if Grace offered the amount and Eliza agreed, then it was just a negotiation.
Taking a deep breath, Grace said, “I won’t shortchange you. I’ll give you eighty thousand.”
On the other end of the line, Eliza raised an eyebrow.
Eighty thousand?
Still treating her like a clueless little girl.
“I’ve got other things to do. Maybe we’ll talk some other day.”
She was about to hang up.
Realizing this, Grace quickly said, “One hundred thousand! Elizze, you know our family’s situation. Coming up with even a hundred thousand isn’t easy right now!”
Grace was getting nervous.
But Eliza wasn’t foolish.
Grace definitely had a stash of money set aside–that was her college fund for Zayden.
The reason Grace didn’t seem desperate was because she knew that even though Holt Group had collapsed, the properties and cars under their name would cover the high–interest debts and bank loans.
As for the private investors who lost money in Holt Group? That was their problem, not hers.
At the very least, Grace’s bank account still had two or three million.
“Madam Grace, actually… I don’t want the hundred thousand anymore. I’d rather have something else.”
That caught Grace off guard.
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Chapter 133 The Real Price
Something else?
What else could they possibly offer?
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She frowned. “What do you want? As long as you agree not to press rape charges against Zayden, we can talk”
“I need a place to live. I know you still have a property under your name–I want to buy it.”
Grace still had a house in the outskirts of the city, registered under Zayden’s name.
It was a large unit, around 150 square meters. Because it wasn’t downtown, the price wasn’t too high- around three million could buy it outright.
Grace frowned. “You want to buy it? Can you even afford it?”
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