Chapter 631

Lindey’s face flushed lightly—a dead giveaway that I’d nailed it. She couldn’t stomach losing all that money, especially to me. Over the years, she’d acted like a saint, lavishing me with affection, so much so that I’d actually thought I could forgive her and the Johnstons for killing my parents.

But now? The truth hit me like a slap to the face: Lindey’s kindness had always come with strings attached. Her affection was a limited-time offer, contingent on me staying out of her way. She used to gush about how I was like the daughter she never had, even if I didn’t marry Jace.

And stupid me—I actually bought it. Turns out, Lindey didn’t love me. She loved what I brought to the table.

“This belongs to me,” I said flatly, the chill in my tone sharper than ice. “You and your family stole it from my parents.” I wasn’t the meek little girl anymore, not after seeing their true colors.

“Rea, I… I didn’t mean it like that—”

Her weak attempt at an excuse made me want to laugh—or maybe scream. Instead, I turned on my heel to leave.

But, of course, Jace had to step in. He grabbed my arm. I shot him a glare.

“What’s the problem, Jace? Is it the money? Can’t stand watching me walk away with a tiny fraction of the fortune your family milked from mine? This is pocket change for the Johnstons. Besides, it’s only fair—Riverwave Corp was built on my parents’ assets.”

“You think I care about the money?” Jace snapped, his jaw tight with frustration. He turned to Wayne, still holding my arm like some caveman. “Wayne, take a good look. Rea is my woman. Even if we’re not together, she’s still my ex. Go chase someone else, but leave her alone.”

Wayne, predictably, stayed cool. “That’s not your decision to make.”

Jace’s temper flared at Wayne’s calm tone. “If you cared about our bond as brothers, you’d back off from Keira!”

The room practically vibrated with tension. The two of them looked ready to throw down, and honestly?

“Enough!” Matthew’s booming voice sliced through the air, silencing the drama. “What do you think you’re doing? Fighting over a woman and throwing your brotherhood away? Have you no shame?” His glare zeroed in on Jace. “Let her go. Now.”

But Jace didn’t. Instead, he yanked me forward and dragged me out. His strides were so long and forceful that I almost tripped trying to keep up. The next thing I knew, I was shoved into his car.

“What the hell is your problem?” I snapped, glaring at him.

“You don’t actually want to be with Wayne,” Jace shot back, his frustration bubbling over. “You came back just to mess with us, didn’t you?”

He knew me too well—annoyingly so. I didn’t even bother lying. “Yeah. I came to cause trouble.”

His pupils narrowed at my bluntness. “You still can’t let go of your parents’ deaths, can you?”

Wrong. I’d let go—God knows I’d tried. But the Johnstons wouldn’t let me. Taking my parents and leaving me an orphan wasn’t enough for them. No, they had to rip Hayden away from me too, just to twist the knife.

“If it were you, could you let go?” I shot back, my tone dripping with mockery.

Jace’s expression faltered. “My parents never meant to hurt yours. The one who’s really responsible for their deaths was their chauffeur.”

Ah, there it was. With that single sentence, he wiped his parents’ hands clean and casually threw the guilt onto someone else—someone conveniently unable to defend himself. Hayden.

Like parents, like son.

Chapter 631

“Jace,” I said, locking eyes with him, “I’ve always wondered something. That day by the crocodile pool… Why didn’t Hayden save you when I begged him hard? He only stepped in later when trying to save Yara. Why?”