After leaving tsabella’s hospital room, Scarleft clutched the envelope containing fifty thousand dollars fightly
For once, her packets weren’t empty, but the weight of the cash reminded her that her daughter still refused to provide her with any support.
She hurried along Manhattan’s busy streets, het heart filled with resentment toward Sophia.
David Hernandez was waiting in their cramped apartment in a run–down area of Brooklyn. As she entered, he immediately noticed the bulging envelope in her hand.
“What’s that?” he asked, his eyes narrowing with interest.
Scarlett tossed the envelope onto the rickety coffee table.
“Money. From someone who actually cares about me, unlike my ungrateful daughter.”
David snatched up the envelope, his fingers quickly counting the bills. As the total grew, his eyes widened. ‘Fifty thousand? Where did you get this much cash?”
“That beautiful woman I told you about–Isabella Scott. She gave it to me, Scarlett collapsed onto the worn–out couch, kicking off her shoes. “She said there’s more where that came from if I help her.”
David didn’t hesitate to stuff the money into his pocket, as if afraid Scarlett might change her mind about handing it over. His behavior didn’t surprise her- Scarlett had long accepted his parasitic nature.
“What does she want from you?” he asked, barely concealing his excitement.
“She wants information about Sophia,” Scarlett explained. “And she made it very clear–we shouldn’t bother her unless she calls us. She’s sick, needs peace and quiet. Said she’ll contact me when she needs something else.”
Scarlett couldn’t help but think about the expensive jewelry Isabella wore so casually. The diamond on her finger probably cost more than everything
Scarlett owned combined.
“You know who this Isabella is, right?” David’s eyes gleamed with a predatory light. “She’s Henry’s sweetheart–his childhood love. Word on the street is he’s been crazy about her for years. They’re practically soulmates.”
Scarlett nodded absently. “Yeah, she mentioned something like that.“/
David had never been much of a provider. He drifted between odd jobs, preferring to spend his days drinking cheap beer and watching TV. No decent woman in the neighborhood would look twice at him. If Scarlett hadn’t been desperate after her divorce, carrying the stigma of a failed marriage, she might never have settled for him.
He leaned forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a conspiracy. “Listen, if we play this right, we could be set for life. We need to help Isabella become Mrs. Harding. Think about the payoff if we help her replace your daughter.”
Scarlett hesitated, a flicker of maternal instinct momentarily surfacing. “I don’t know… Sophia is still my daughter. Helping someone break up her marriage
seems wrong.”
David’s laughter was harsh and mocking. “Your daughter? The one who lets you live in this dump while she enjoys the Harding millions? Has she ever treated you like a mother?”
His words stung Scarlett. Since marrying into the Harding family, Sophia had been cold and distant toward Scarlett, never once offering financial support despite their obvious wealth.
“What kind of daughter watches her mother struggle for money and doesn’t lift a finger to help?” David continued, pressing his advantage. ‘Forget useless sentiment. Sophia only cares about herself and her comfortable life. Your best bet is to get on Isabella’s good side.”
His logic was persuasive. The more she thought about it, the deeper Scarlett’s resentment toward Sophia grew.
“You’re right, Scarlett finally said, her resolve hardening. “What kind of daughter treats her mother like garbage? I raised that ungrateful bitch, sacrificed
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everything for her, and how does she repay me? By humiliating me in front of everyone! A daughter like that isn’t worth protecting.
‘That’s more like it, David grinned, clearly pleased with Scarlett’s change of heart. “We should call Isabella right away, see if there’s anything else she
needs.”
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