Chapter 32

At the Flynn family's residence.

Once Dayna left the hospital, Janessa's heart fluttered with hope.

She envisioned Dayna dazzling Kretol's elite, maybe even forging ties with a family more powerful than the Morrisons.

However, that hope shattered the moment Janessa learned what had actually happened. Dayna had spent everything on a bid.

Every cent of that five million had been her secret savings, and now, it was all gone. Besides, finding the extra twenty million seemed impossible.

As worry creased Janessa's brow, Dayna broke the silence. "Mom, maybe we should talk to Dad and ask him for help with this. Twenty million is nothing for him." At that, Janessa became furious. Lowering her voice,she said to Dayna, "You don't understand. Your father just came home from the hospital today, and if he finds out you're still tangled up with Jaxton, he'll lose his temper. Do you really want him to get angry with you?"

"But Mom, how else are we supposed to get the twenty million?" Dayna asked.

"Aren't you still with Jaxton? He's the Morrison family's son. Surely, coming up with a few tens of millions wouldn't put a dent in his wallet."

At first, Janessa had considered Jaxton as the perfect match for her daughter, but the disaster at the auction this time made her doubt that.

She even questioned whether Jaxton truly liked her daughter. Otherwise, with his wealth, he shouldn't have asked Dayna to pay.

Dayna gave a small shake of her head. "Mom, didn't you always tell me to be thoughtful and gentle around Jaxton? If I don't pay this time,what will he think of me? Please figure out a way to solve this for me."

Dayna's response nearly made Janessa scream.She snapped, "You make it sound so simple! This is twenty million we're talking about, not a measly twenty thousand!"

Money was a sore subject for Janessa. Even with her title as Ricky's wife,real control of the Flynn fortune was Ricky's, Besides the occasional spending money, everything else was locked away from her reach.

Saving up that five mnillion had taken her more than a year.

Yet, Janessa could never bring herself to confess such humiliating truths to Dayna.

"Let's drop the matter for now. Go get some rest.I'll figure out a way to manage the money problem," she said to Dayna with a sigh.

Once Dayna left, Janessa moved toward her dressing table.

She stared at her collection of jewelry and trinkets,feeling a wave of reluctance to part with them. Still,for the sake of a better future, she gritted her teeth and dialed the jewelry pawn shop's number.

At the Morrison family's house.

Jaxton had hoped to settle his twenty million quietly.Since he was the heir of the Morrison family, Laura didn't restrict him much regarding money.

Yet,because the coveted invitation had cost Laura so much effort, she took a keen interest in every detail of the auction.

She pressed Jaxton relentlessly for answers until he finally caved and shared what had happened.

Watching Laura's expression harden with anger Jaxton decided not to mention Dayna at all,choosing instead to throw all the blame on Amelia. Bitterly recalling the night, Jaxton said, "Mom,Amelia stabbed me in the back. She and the man she is involved with targeted me on purpose!"

The truth was, Jaxton had only glimpsed Amelia's figure from afar, but he convinced himself that the man she was involved with had been on the second floor at that time.

Laura was taken aback to learn that Amelia had enjoyed VIP treatment at Pearl Bay Auction House. A flicker of surprise showed in her eyes.

As for Jaxton's claim about the man Amelia was involved with... She didn't believe it at all.

Her years of experience in business told her Amelia carried herself with the poise and confidence of someone raised well. She would never mess around with some man like that.

Jaxton grew even more irritated as Laura continued to put her trust in Amelia.

When Laura suggested he invite Amelia to a meal at home soon, he lost his temper, storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Watching her son's angry retreat, Laura remained calm and composed.

She believed that persistence would eventually pay off-Jaxton didn't need to like Amelia now, but he would marry her in the end.

In Kretol's bustling city center, Amelia frowned as she read the email on her phone.

Another job offer had just slipped through her fingers, the latest in a string of disappointments.

For days now, she had sent out one resume after another, only to be met with rejection.

At first, she had blamed her two-year employment gap for this.

But even when she managed to land an interview and passed, the companies still withdrew their offers at the last moment.

One or two incidents like this might not have raised any suspicions, but facing rejection so many times had made her think that something was off.

With her eyes on the glass tower overhead, Amelia called Monroe.

The line barely rang before Monroe picked up the call.

After explaining her situation in a few short sentences, Amelia said, "Monroe, I know this is a bother, but could you look into what's happening?"

"Amelia, you don't need to be so formal with me. 1have answers for you in two hours, tops. Just leave it to me."

"Thanks, Monroe. I will treat you to a meal sometime," Amelia replied.

The call ended, but instead of heading home, Amelia made her way to a café nearby. With lunchtime approaching, she found she wasn't hungry, so she ordered just a cup of coffee.

Watching office workers hurry past outside the window, she felt a pang of regret sweep over her.

As a distinguished graduate of Kretol University,she had received many promising offers right after graduation. But she had turned them all down for Jaxton and the Morrison family.

Only thirty minutes had passed before Monroe called her again.

Thanks to his career, Monroe kept close ties with Kretol's most influential people, always ready to tap into his network.

Before Amelia could ask, Monroe's voice burst out,laced with outrage. "Your mother was really mistaken when she thought that the Morrison family was good for you! Jaxton is a jerk, and his mother is just as bad..."