Chapter 447

I blinked. Was she serious? Did she think this was some kind of easy jackpot?

“No,” I said, shutting her down without hesitation.

“Why not?” she pressed.

I didn’t even bother. But, of course, she couldn’t leave it alone. “Is it because Jace gave it to you?”

Her imagination was wild.

“Didn’t you hear what his dad said at the grand opening?” I reminded her.

Tanya let out a snide laugh. “That was just for show.”

Ugh, there was no reasoning with her.

I wasn’t wasting more time, so I cut to the chase. “Why do you even want the park, anyway?”

“Because it makes money. If I had it, I wouldn’t have to worry about anything for the rest of my life,” she said, trying to sound practical.

Honestly, it seemed fair enough—except I wasn’t buying it.

“Tanya, let’s be real. You want something from me, but you’re not being honest. How am I supposed to say yes to that?” I called her out.

Her eyes flickered, like she wasn’t sure if she should spill the truth. “You really want the truth?”

I turned to leave, fully done with this conversation, but she grabbed my arm.

“The truth is… I want to take something that’s yours,” she admitted, no sugarcoating.

Okay, at least she was finally being honest.

I gave her a long look. “What’s your deal? We don’t even have history. Why would you want to take anything from me?”

Tanya let out a bitter laugh. “Of course you wouldn’t remember.”

I stared at her, confused. “Remember what?”

“Back in school, you were always in the spotlight, winning every award like it was nothing. You probably don’t even remember.”

She wasn’t wrong—I didn’t.

“You were in that debate competition, remember? Your team won first place, and you got Best Debater. The topic was public versus private interests. I was there, too,” she continued, her eyes glazing over like she was replaying some scene in her head.

Chapter 443

“So, I beat you, huh?” I asked, smirking a little.

Tanya’s laugh was sharp. “Yeah, you beat me. I lost the debate, let down my school and my teachers, and everyone said I was just a big fish in a small pond.”

Wow, I had no clue I’d made an enemy back then. I let out a dry laugh. “So… you’ve hated me all this time?”

“You’re good at everything. Even after losing your parents, you somehow ended up with the Johnstons. I refuse to believe I’m worse than you at everything. That’s why I want the amusement park. It’s not just about securing my future—it’s about finally beating you,” she said, steady and direct.

She locked eyes with me, her voice tightening. “I refuse to believe my life has to be a loss every time I cross paths with you.”

I tilted my head, totally unfazed. “And what if I don’t give you that chance?”

There were things I might let go of, but not to help her out—just because I didn’t want them anymore. But the amusement park? No way. It wasn’t even up for discussion.

It was my dad’s love wrapped up in every ride and ticket booth. He hadn’t built it, but I only pushed for it because of something he said to me once. Without that, the place wouldn’t exist. It was my work, my dream. Handing it over to Tanya? Not happening.

And honestly, even just thinking about the park’s value? There was no way she deserved it.

“If you give me the amusement park, I swear you’ll never have to deal with me again. I’ll stay out of your life forever,” she said.

I let out a soft laugh. “And what if I say no?”

Her eyes darkened, something sharp flashing behind them. “Then we both go down together.”