My Best Friend Bought Me a Cursed Life Chapter 05

My Best Friend Bought Me a Cursed Life Chapter 05 A Talk with Julian’s Grandfather

The moment I stepped into my penthouse, my phone erupted with notifications.

Richard, Margaret, Sebastian–even the household staff. I hit block on every last one. every numiter.

Then a text from Sebastian: [Cecilia, please! Dad’s selling me to a cartel in Mexico to cover his debts!]

Richard was truly ruthless. Seeing his son had no use, he decided to extract every last bit of value from him.

I typed back: [So what?]

The doorbell rang.

Two men in black suits stood outside. Not Astor goons–these were professionals.

“Miss Astor,” one said. “Mr. Victor Hawke would like a word.”

“Who?”

“Mr. Victor Hawke of the Hawke family.”

My pulse spiked, a cold trickle of dread snaking down my spine. Julian’s grandfather.

Bella let out a sharp, triumphant cackle, her eyes glinting with malice. “‘Here it comes! The old man’s going to run you out of town You’re trash, Ella. He’ll throw money in your face and tell you to disappear!”

I neglected her and slid into the car.

The Hawke Estate sat on the outskirts of Kingsbridge–old money, old trees, old secrets.

Victor Hawke waited in a leather armchair, drinking coffee. He didn’t so much as glance up as I stepped inside.

“Sit down.”

I sat down on the sofa.

“The Astor mess,” he said. “That was you.”

The anonymous emails. The IRS. The takedown. He knew.

“Maybe,” I said.

He finally looked at me. Sharp eyes Predator’s eyes.

“You have talent, girl. But you made one mistake.” He flicked a stack of photos onto the table. I’m at Julian’s clinic, leaning in close, laughing at something he’s just said. The camera angle makes it look like a scene of seduction.

“Julian is naive,” Victor said. “I am not. There’s a check for one million. Take it. Leave Kingsbridge. Never see my grandson again.

Bella howled with laughter. “Take it! Take the humiliation, Ella?”

I picked up the check.

And tore it in half.

Victor’s face clouded over with fory. “You think you deserve more?”

“I think,” I said, standing, “you’re insulting Julian. And me.”

“Insolent girl-”

The bodyguard moved.

Then a voice from the stairs: “Grandfather. What are you doing?”

Julian stood at the top of the staircase, dressed in a simple sweater, but his eyes were cold iron,

“Julian. I’m cleaning up your mess.” Victor pointed at me. “This woman is poison

Julian walked down, stepped past the guards, and positioned himself between Victor and me.

“She’s my friend.”

“Friend?” Victor laughed. “She just tore up a million dollars! That’s manipulation!”

“So what?” Julian said. “I don’t care.”

Victor’s face turned a furious purple, his jaw clenched so tight I could see the muscles in his temple bulging.

Julian took my hand. “Let’s go, Cecilia.”

“If you walk out that door, don’t bother coming back!” Victor roared.

Julian didn’t so much as glance back. His grip on my hand firm/and urgent, he pulled me swiftly through the grand halls of the mansion, past the ornate gates, and into the waiting car.

Inside, he let go of my hand. His ears were red again. “I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have treated you like that.”

“Don’t apologize.” I looked at him. “But… you’re really from the Hawke family?”

He sighed. “I’d rather just be a vet.”

The air in the car grew thick with unspoken tension, heavy and quiet after the chaos of the mansion.

Then my phone buzzed sharply. An unknown number flashed on the screen.

A voice, digitally scrambled: “Cecilia Astor. We have your brother. You want him alive, bring one million in cash to the old chemical plant on Westbrook Road. Midnight. No cops. Or he’s fish food.”

Kidnapping.

A faint, terrified scream cut through the static—Sebastian’s voice.

I was halfway to saying “just do it,” when a cold, sharp thought clicked into place.

This wasn’t random.

Richard was behind it. He wanted my money—or my life.

But this was also my chance to end the Astors forever.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll be there.”

I hung up and turned to Julian. (

“Dr. Hawke. Could 1 borrow something?”

“Name it.”

“Surgical steel.”