Escaping the shadow 185
Posted on March 21, 2025 ยท 1 mins read
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Talk of the town by the following morning. Everyone was buzzing about Lelandโ€™s outrageous stunt at his birthday bash the night before. Violet had always been the darling of high society, the dream girl for many eligible bachelors, and the top choice for a wife. After Lelandโ€™s ridiculous flirtation, those same bachelors were quick to distance themselves from him.

This time, Johanna had shot herself in the foot. She wanted Leland to marry into real wealth without considering whether Leland was in the same league.

When Johanna came back from the hospital around noon, she looked completely beat. She ran up to Freya and said, โ€œFreya, how could you be so cold? Lelandโ€™s your brother, and you went to such extremes to hurt him!โ€

โ€œJohanna, I have no idea what youโ€™re talking about,โ€ Freya leaned back on the couch, feigning ignorance. โ€œThe nonsense last night was Lelandโ€™s doing, not like I held a knife to his throat. Without me, Leland would have ruined the Dawson familyโ€™s reputation. I havenโ€™t even started on you, and you blamed me?โ€

โ€œYou!โ€ Johanna was so angry that she nearly passed out.

Freya continued, โ€œJohanna, please donโ€™t get too worked up. Another trip to the hospital wouldnโ€™t do.โ€

At this point, Johanna was like someone whoโ€™d choked on a bitter pill and couldnโ€™t complain about it. She wouldnโ€™t be there swallowing these humiliations from Freya if Leland hadnโ€™t been so foolish.

Freya smiled. โ€œAlthough I donโ€™t like to kick someone when theyโ€™re down, Johanna, you still have to keep your promises.โ€

After saying that, Freya placed a signed contract before Johanna. โ€œHereโ€™s the debt you owe me. Iโ€™ve received the sports car you sent over yesterday. Iโ€™m pleased. As for the money, I hope you can sort it out soon.โ€

Johannaโ€™s face turned even grimmer at the sight of the contract. She had agreed to return a pair of valuable pearls belonging to Freyaโ€™s mother to settle things down. Those pearls were worth a fortune! Where was she supposed to find that kind of money? Furthermore, she had promised Freya a dowry of ten million. That totaled ninety million!

โ€œJohanna, didnโ€™t you say youโ€™d pay when you have the moneyโ€ฆโ€

โ€œJohanna, the contract specifies a timeframe. If you canโ€™t come up with the money in three months, Iโ€™ll have no choice but to take legal action. By then, whether you can continue living here would be uncertain.โ€

โ€œYouโ€ฆโ€ Johanna knew Freya was taking advantage of the situation but couldnโ€™t do anything about it. Thinking about it made Johanna even more frustrated.

Freya stood up. โ€œJohanna, I hope you adhere to the contract and pay the dues soon. Otherwise, youโ€™ll regret not acting sooner when the court freezes all your assets.โ€

After that, Freya picked up the contract and left the Dawson familyโ€™s mansion.

Johanna couldnโ€™t afford to pay a dime at this point. Lelandโ€™s botched party had ruined their reputation and offended the Ramsey family! She had basically tossed twelve million dollars down the drain just on the cost of the banquet hall. The money was for a three-day booking, but the guests at the Majestic Manor Hotel had all left in less than three hours! The thought made Johannaโ€™s heart ache.

But Freya didnโ€™t care about Johannaโ€™s losses. She deliberately drove off in the red sports car Johanna had brought over the day before, delighted. โ€œThis car is something. I love it. Thanks, Johanna.โ€

With that, Freya drove away.


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