He Left Me For His Pregnant Ex, So I Took Everything Chapter 09

He Left Me For His Pregnant Ex, So I Took Everything Chapter 09

Summer knocked on the door. “Ms. Stirling, Ruby is downstairs. She wants to see you.”

I said, “Send her up.”

Garrett frowned. “What’s she doing here?”

Ruby came in fast. No baby this time.

“Garrett, of course you’re here.”

Garrett stood. “You followed me?”

Ruby turned to me. “Scarlett, are you happy now? You’ve made him so miserable he can’t even come home, and you’ve turned everyone against me.”

I asked, “Didn’t you bring that on yourself?”

She gritted her teeth. “Don’t get too cocky. I have something too.”

Garrett asked, “What are you talking about?”

Ruby pulled an old photograph from her bag.

It showed my father, Arthur Stirling, and Garrett’s father signing a contract together.

She said, “Garrison Group only got off the ground because the Vances gave the Stirlings a chance. Now you’re turning around and taking the company. Isn’t that ingratitude?”

I looked at the photo. “Who gave you that?”

She smiled. “Does it matter?”

I said, “It does. Because whoever gave you that only gave you half.”

Ruby’s smile froze.

I opened my drawer and pulled out the full contract copy.

“The Stirlings lent money to the Vances. Not the other way around.”

Garrett took it and flipped through page after page. His face darkened with each turn.

Ruby refused to believe it. “Impossible.”

I said, “You came at me with half a photograph. Who put you up to it?”

Ruby stayed silent.

Garrett looked up. “Was it my mother?”

Ruby denied it instantly. “No!”

I looked at them both. “Garrett, go ask Mrs. Vance how many old ledgers she’s still hiding.”

The college reunion was held at a private dining club.

I hadn’t wanted to go, but Chloe insisted.

“They’ve all heard Garrett’s version—that you built your career on the Vances. If you don’t show up, they’ll keep talking.”

So I went.

I’d barely sat down when someone laughed. “Scarlett’s really made it now. She’s taken over her ex’s company.”

Another chimed in, “A woman needs her family’s backing to pull off something like that.”

Chloe was about to snap back, but I stopped her.

I asked, “Are we here to eat or to hold a trial?”

The table went quiet.

Jasper raised his glass. “Don’t take it the wrong way. We’re just saying Garrett used to treat you pretty well, right?”

I turned to him. “What did he pay you for that line?”

Jasper’s face dropped. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The Westside showroom project that got cut—you were involved.”

His hand jerked, and everyone noticed.

Jasper forced a laugh. “Friends help each other out with business. What’s wrong with that?”

“Forty thousand dollars in referral fees.”

Chloe jumped in. “No wonder you’re defending Garrett. You got paid.”

Jasper panicked. “Scarlett, don’t make things up!”

I placed a payment record on the polished wood and slid it across the table. “Go ahead. Explain it.”

Nobody reached for their glasses.

Someone murmured, “Forty thousand is a lot.”

Jasper couldn’t take it. He got up and left.

Chloe laughed. “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”

Another classmate tried to smooth things over. “Scarlett, we’re all old friends. No need to be so harsh.”

I said, “I’m not here to catch up. I’m here to tell you one thing.”

“The Vances’ gossip doesn’t pay well.”

Nobody said another word.

Halfway through dinner, Garrett showed up.

He stood at the entrance like he had no idea I’d be there.

Chloe whispered, “Who invited him?”

Ruby followed right behind him.

She smiled. “Small world, everyone’s here.”

I glanced at Jasper’s empty seat. “Small world?”

Ruby pretended not to hear.

She pulled out a small box. “Scarlett, I heard you love jewelry, so I brought you a little gift.”

Chloe rolled her eyes.

I opened it. An old brooch.

Ruby said, “Garrett said you left this at the Vance house. I thought I’d return it.

I picked up the brooch. “This was my mother’s.”

Garrett frowned. “How did that end up with you?”

Ruby’s face flickered with panic. “Mrs. Vance gave it to me. Said it wasn’t worth anything.”

I looked at Garrett. “Still think they don’t know anything?”

He said nothing.

I put the brooch away. “Ruby, thank Mrs. Vance for me. She just reminded me I need to clear out all the Vance family’s old possessions.”

Mrs. Harrington showed up at a business negotiation.

Miles Montgomery introduced her. She had capital and a few channel connections.

She cut straight to it. “Chairwoman Stirling, Garrison Group needs money. I can help.”

I asked, “Terms?”

“My son gets a board seat.”

“And?”

“You get engaged to him.”

Everyone in the room went silent.

I looked at Miles. “Is this your idea?”

He waved his hands. “I’m just the connector.”

Mrs. Harrington smiled. “Chairwoman Stirling, you’re divorced. My son is unmarried. We’re not looking down on you, and we’re bringing resources. It’s a win-win.”

Summer’s face turned red with anger.

I said, “Mrs. Harrington, Garrison Group needs money, not a mother-in-law.”

Her smile vanished. “Chairwoman Stirling, don’t be so proud. Arthur Stirling may be famous, but he’s been retired for years.”

“So?”

“A woman in your position needs a backer eventually.”

I closed the proposal. “Deal’s off.”