Chapter 63: Family Funds and Fights
“You didn’t tell me sooner? If you had, I could have taught you.”
“Taught me how to extract wealth from Easton’s grip, transfer it to a reliable person’s name? Find a way to launder the money so it looks like it’s legally mine?” Ellis laughed helplessly. “Ms. Carly, you’re even more naive than I am!”
With Easton’s power and resources, any property he didn’t willingly give would inevitably be reclaimed once he found out where it went. All those schemes would be a waste of effort.
Having seen Easton’s formidable side, Carly’s voice caught in her throat.
“Ms. Carly, don’t even think about me having Easton’s child as if it would secure an heir for the Hudson family!” Ellis brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “A child is born of a woman who endures the pain of pregnancy and childbirth, while he would only need a few seconds to claim fatherhood.”
After taking a sip of water, she continued, “I’m not the one he loves. He’s not short of women to bear his children. It would be odd for him to favor mine, much less to designate my child as his heir. I’d rather end this marriage on relatively good terms, so please don’t interfere!”
Ellis’s reasoning was sound, particularly given that Easton had her sign a prenuptial agreement that essentially left her with nothing, provided no financial support, and kicked her out.
The situation seemed irreversible, and Carly was engulfed in despair. “So, you’re saying Easton had already paved the way for Victoria’s return and her victory?”
Feeling Carly was beginning to accept reality, Ellis sighed softly. “Victoria has never lost. She’s always been a winner.”
“A marriage where you gain nothing—no wonder you want it to end,” Carly shifted focus. “No, we can’t let Easton and Victoria just get married easily. He has to give you some compensation. If not, you should ruin Victoria’s reputation by labeling her the mistress.”
“Ms. Carly, Easton set me up with the prenup. With a flick of his wrist, he could drown me in debt.”
Ellis had considered tarnishing both Easton and Victoria’s reputations, but that wouldn’t be effective since the whole elite circle in Stonebridge knew they were back together. Any retaliation from Easton would cost her more than she could afford.
Easton’s ruthlessness wasn’t new, and Carly frowned sorrowfully. “So, the family fund being cut off and them demanding the money back from me is your doing? Did you tell Easton I drugged you and him?”
Ellis was determined to divorce Easton and was already living separately. Victoria, flaunting herself at Scott’s birthday gala, had seemingly secured her position. In a desperate move, Carly thought having Ellis bear a child might stabilize the situation.
“Don’t pin this on me; I didn’t tell him.” Ellis hated being blamed. The two instances of drugging had already been unfairly attributed to her by Easton, who was convinced she was the perpetrator. She hadn’t had the time or inclination to argue about who really drugged them at the manor.
“I’m done talking. Don’t block this number again.” Carly was in a rush, urgently needing to resolve the issue with the family fund.
“Okay, goodbye!”
After hanging up, Ellis looked out at the bright sky, exhausted.
After much arguing, Carly hadn’t explicitly taken her side, but knowing what lay beneath her and Easton’s marriage, she should understand her a bit better and hopefully wouldn’t push her anymore to reconcile with Easton or bear his child.
Late at night, under a full moon, the car sped along. The driver, while focusing on the road, occasionally glanced at the rearview mirror at the figure in the back.
Easton’s mood had been lower than usual these past few days, and tonight it seemed even lower, meaning he had to be extra cautious in his service. This job was getting harder.
Checking the call log from Sophia over half an hour ago and recalling her serious tone, Easton wondered what urgent matter she had that required him to visit her home and discuss it in person.
When he arrived at Sophia’s place and saw her sitting close to Carly, his suspicions were confirmed.
Noticing Easton’s arrival, Carly said to Sophia, “Madam Sophia, it’s late. You shouldn’t disturb Easton’s rest. It’s not right.”
Sophia looked at her son expressionlessly: “Why did you stop Carly’s money? And what’s this about reclaiming the money from the past two years?”
“Madam Sophia, perhaps there was a mistake at the foundation, and Easton wasn’t aware. Don’t scold him; it’s unfair to him,” Carly gently patted Sophia’s hand, speaking softly.
“In the Hudson family, he’s the head of the household now. Without his command, the foundation’s staff wouldn’t dare!”
After finishing with Carly, Sophia’s anger was evident as she scolded Easton. “Look at yourself, as a cousin, as a son-in-law, Carly is like a second mother to you. It’s only right to show her respect. How much have you given her? What you’re doing is unacceptable!”