He Said It Was A Joke And I Made Sure It Cost Him Everything Chapter 03

He Said It Was A Joke And I Made Sure It Cost Him Everything Chapter 03

Only after the Coles were completely gone did my father finally collapse onto the couch.

He let out a long, tired sigh. “Isabella, I’m sorry. I couldn’t protect you from this. But when you have to go back to him to save the company, he won’t let you forget today.”

My mother wiped her eyes. “She won’t go back. She’s suffered enough because of him. If she really doesn’t want to marry him, we won’t force her, even if it means losing everything.”

My eyes stung, but I held it together. “Mom, Dad, the company won’t fall. And I won’t let them humiliate us again.”

My parents looked at me, surprised. A wild hope flickered across their faces. “Are you saying…?”

I shook my head. I didn’t explain.

My uncle worked for a federal agency, I couldn’t say which. A while ago, when I visited him, I saw the man from the bidding there.

The people my uncle associated with were either government officials or high-level technical experts.

I wasn’t supposed to ask questions. But my uncle had mentioned casually that if that man ever needed anything from me at a company event, I should cooperate.

I nodded, not fully understanding.

Then I got some inside information, and I started to guess who the man really was.

When he showed up at the bidding, I knew it was part of a federal operation.

So I pretended to act out of spite and handed over the land, knowing it would cut off my own company’s cash flow.

The loss was huge. I could only hope I hadn’t made a terrible mistake.

The Hartwoods didn’t have much time. The land needed to be transferred quickly.

I ran upstairs, gathered all the documents—land transfer agreements, project handover forms—and checked everything twice.

Then I texted the man. [Where are you? I’ll come to you.]

He sent an address without hesitation.

When I got to the private lounge and pushed open the door, I saw Sienna straddling Jackson, kissing him.

The wet sounds were loud even over the cheering of their friends.

My grip on my bag tightened. Before I could process why Jackson’s group was in this room, Sienna turned her head.

She saw me and let out an annoyed huff.

“If you want to watch, just watch. No need to sneak around. But really, I should thank you for raising him so well. The moment I’m in the mood, he’s ready to help.”

She winked at Jackson.

I almost laughed. “Can’t afford a hotel room? You have to make out in a borrowed lounge? As Jackson’s ex-fiancée, I could have loaned you the money.”

Jackson wiped his mouth with his thumb and leaned back with a smirk. “You don’t have to be so bitter. You’re just jealous of what Sienna and I have.”

“But here’s the thing. You embarrassed me in public. If you want my help, you need to show some real sincerity.”

He paused. “Make me happy, and maybe I’ll think about taking you back and saving your family.”

I stared at him. For a second, I didn’t understand, then it hit me. He thought I was here to beg.

Before I could speak, Sienna raised an eyebrow and gave Jackson a smug look.

“See? My method works. You can’t coddle women. You have to put them in their place. And now look, she came crawling back like a trained dog.”

I barely held back the urge to slap her.

Jackson’s friends started up again. “Sienna’s the best. Jackson’s got so much game, he’s got Isabella eating out of his hand.”

“These two belong together. Why does Jackson even need a real girlfriend?”

“You don’t get it. Other women are just part of their game. They’re just the warm-up act. Not the main event.”

My blood boiled. “You don’t actually think Jackson Cole is some kind of prize, do you? You really believe I came all the way here for him?”

I pointed straight at Jackson. “You’d better keep your dogs on a short leash. Because if they ever cross me again, I’ll make sure they regret it.”

One of them jumped up, his voice shooting up an octave.

“We’re giving you the time of day. Show some respect. You’re about to be bankrupt. Without Jackson, you’re nothing. Quit acting like you’re better than us.”

A big guy from the group shoved me hard. My lower back slammed into the edge of a glass coffee table. I gasped in pain.

Jackson’s face went cold. “Enough.”