The Obsession of My Cold-Hearted Ex

Chapter 64: Texts, Trusts, and Treachery

Finished

Facing the scolding, Easton remained composed and methodically asked, “Aunt Carly, have you calculated how much money you lost in your failed investments this year? Whose money do you think filled those holes?”

Sophia’s gaze shifted from him back to Carly. At the mention of investments, Carly offered a sheepish smile. “The year isn’t over yet; the progress of my investments…”

Easton cut her off coldly. “There should be a limit to leeching. When people stop letting you leech off them, you throw a tantrum. Have you thought about the consequences?”

Easton was clearly calling her a leech, which Carly did not appreciate. She defended herself, “As the Hudson family heir, it wasn’t fair how Scott distributed the wealth. I’m not leeching—I’m merely taking my share of the investment funds.”

Sophia sensed something was amiss. The world never had absolute fairness, especially in large families where inheritance was involved. Wealth couldn’t be distributed equally without weakening the family’s power; thus, heirs typically held the lion’s share of the assets. Easton wasn’t born the designated heir of the Hudson family; he was chosen after being rigorously tested and vetted by Scott. After Scott handed over the Hudson Group to his son, other assets were distributed evenly, and Carly received quite a bit. Unfortunately, Carly was proficient at losing money and soon relied solely on funds from the family foundation to live. This was a safety net set up by Scott, anticipating any irresponsible descendants, providing them with a last line of defense to ensure they wouldn’t worry about necessities later in life. However, once Scott retired and stepped back, everything was up to Easton.

Discussing this was pointless now, so Sophia quickly changed the subject, looking slightly disappointed at Easton. “Let’s not talk about this. I want to ask about the prenuptial agreement you had Ellis sign. It leaves her with nothing upon divorce. Are you using your wits for such schemes against your own wife?”

Sophia’s accusation made it seem as if Carly was an innocent bystander. Easton glanced at them, his gaze settling on his aunt, a mocking smile playing on his lips. Aunt Carly was not only scheming for herself but also acting as Ellis’s muscle—busy indeed. Few knew about his prenuptial agreement with Ellis, let alone its contents. If Carly knew about it, it was only because Ellis had told her. Had Ellis finally decided, after three years of marriage, that the prenup needed to go? Was she trying to pressure him through his mother? Carly had rushed to Sophia, playing the victim and trying to sort out the prenup right after the foundation’s funds were cut off. Her calculations were clearly audible. Ellis and Carly shared a greedy nature, unfortunately not related by blood—which was truly a pity.

Easton made his intentions clear, and under the watchful eyes of Easton and Sophia, Carly seemed uneasy. “We are family! Easton, you’re making our relationships awkward, which is not good for…”

Easton had no patience for his aunt’s ramblings, cutting her off. “One minute, and then disappear from my sight.” Otherwise, he had plenty of ways to make life difficult for Carly. Ellis couldn’t be spared either. Her increasingly outrageous behavior constantly tested his patience, dancing on his last nerve. He had to teach her a lesson.

This visit wasn’t about confronting Easton directly; informing Sophia was enough, but Carly still played her part, feigning barely concealed sorrow. “Madam Sophia, I won’t disturb you any longer.”

“Easton, show some respect and apologize to Carly!” Sophia commanded forcefully.

“Madam Sophia, please, no!” Carly quickly interjected and then left.

With just her son and herself left, Sophia sighed. “All this fuss over a bit of money makes no sense. Have you thought about the cost?”

“Some people are better at calculating than I am,” Easton replied, sitting opposite Sophia.

“Listen to me, restore the money to Carly, and void your prenup with Ellis,” Sophia softened her approach. “Our family isn’t short on cash. Try not to be too ruthless; don’t discourage Ellis from having a good life with you.”

“Times have changed. Ellis isn’t interested in having a good life with me; she’s always stirring up trouble,” Easton pursed his lips. “Mom, you don’t need to persuade me. I have my reasons for everything I do.”

Carly had spent a lot of his money, even more than Ellis. He hadn’t bothered with their spending before, letting them do as they wished since he had plenty of money. But now was different. Ellis’s relentless antics, coupled with his assistant’s investigation into a person named Casey—who turned out to be Lois’s son—and discovering Ellis had been helping Lois poach scientists from his well-funded research institute, only added to the chaos. It was clear her head wasn’t in the…