[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-230":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},230,16,"Chapter 16: The Three-Hundred-Million-Dollar Ultimatum","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline sat at her computer, scouring the audio logs for any sign of anomalies. Nothing. Not a single blip.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She sighed, leaning back in her chair. The news of the pregnancy was out. By all logical metrics, Cassidy should be making her next move, but the silence remained absolute. Evangeline loathed this—a game where the variables were hidden in the dark.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next morning.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward Montgomery arrived at the Harrison offices as scheduled. The three of them sat in the executive suite, the air thick with tension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Edward, what is so urgent that you had to come down here yourself?\" Anthony Harrison started.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cassidy is pregnant. Jonah needs to take responsibility,\" Edward said, his voice flat. He secretly triggered the voice recorder in his pocket.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah flinched at the weight of Edward's tone, but he quickly steeled himself. \"Sir, I am not going to marry her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you really think a daughter of the Montgomery family can be treated like a toy?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I will provide adequate compensation.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And the child?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Terminate it. My children will only be born to my wife.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah’s blunt refusal caught Edward off guard, though he kept his expression stony. He wouldn't let his family be humiliated.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Terminate it? That’s for the mother to decide! Cassidy has made her stance clear: she is keeping it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If she insists on keeping it, that’s her own business. The Harrison family will never recognize that child.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Thwack!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward slammed his hand onto the mahogany desk, the sound echoing like a gunshot.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Jonah, are you trying to play me for a fool?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Easy, Edward, let's not lose our heads,\" Anthony said, pushing a cup of tea toward him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward turned his glare on Anthony. \"Look at the mess you've made of your son.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Anthony felt a spark of annoyance. \"Jonah was drunk, but Cassidy wasn't. If she didn't want it to happen, how could he have forced her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha! So, this is entirely Cassidy's fault now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Anthony realized he was grasping at straws. \"I mean... both of them are at fault. Jonah has been a wreck ever since his engagement with Evangeline fell through.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, as compensation, I’m offering an 80/20 profit split on the Eastside Development project,\" Jonah said, his voice cold.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The offer shocked both Edward and Anthony.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That's a three-hundred-million-dollar deal!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know. I'll have the contracts redrafted this afternoon and send them over personally.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward hadn't expected Jonah to bleed himself dry just to avoid marrying Cassidy. Pushing further would be a waste of time.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Once Edward left, Anthony grabbed Jonah by the arm. \"Son, isn't this price tag a bit steep?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah’s gaze darkened. \"Cassidy is a viper. I won't have her in my home, and I won't let her be the reason the Montgomery and Harrison families cut ties. With this, Edward can’t say a word.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine. Money is just paper; we can earn more. But for God’s sake, stop letting women be your downfall,\" Anthony patted his shoulder.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward left the Harrison building and immediately sent the recording to Cassidy, hoping she’d wake up to reality.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy listened to the playback, her breath hitching. She slid down the wall, her eyes bloodshot. She couldn't believe those cold, sterile words had come from the man she once thought of as gentle.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her phone rang, pulling her back to the present. She cleared her throat and answered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hello, Dad.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cassidy, did you hear the recording? Jonah isn't the one for you. He’s offered an 80/20 split on the project; I’ll transfer the difference to you. It’s the best deal I could negotiate.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Understood. Thank you, Dad.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She hung up. Cassidy grew calm. If she wanted this, she had to do it herself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She typed out a quick message, attached an image, and hit send.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah saw the notification and let out a roar, sweeping his files off the desk. \"Cassidy, you bitch! I underestimated you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">They met at a quiet coffee shop. Jonah’s face was livid, while Cassidy leaned back in her chair, looking entirely at ease—the picture of someone who held all the cards.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cassidy, I never realized you were this calculating,\" Jonah hissed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Jonah, I just love you. If you marry me, my schemes will be used to help you, not destroy you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"In your dreams! I am only ever marrying Evangeline!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline! Evangeline! What makes her so damn special?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The shouting drew curious glances from other patrons.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah leaned in, lowering his voice. \"Just tell me: what will it take for you to leave me alone?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I want you to marry me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah looked at her obsessive glare. \"I don't love you. You won't be happy even if you force this marriage. What are you even looking for?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy fell silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What am I looking for? She thought. Marrying a man who hates me? She’d lived under Evangeline’s shadow her entire life. If Evangeline weren't here, would everything finally be perfect?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A cruel smile touched her lips.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't waste your breath. If you don't marry me, I have plenty more photos where that one came from. If they ever get leaked, don't blame me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You're insane!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Jonah couldn't fathom it. Spreading their intimate photos? She was ready to burn everything to the ground.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You have two days to think it over. Give me an answer then,\" Cassidy said, her smile not reaching her eyes. It was chilling.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That afternoon, after the contracts were drafted, Jonah rushed them to the Montgomery headquarters.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"So soon?\" Edward said, taking the paperwork.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cassidy sent this to me shortly after you left,\" Jonah said, handing over his phone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward glanced at the screen and immediately flipped the device face-down. While the photos weren't overtly explicit, the look of intoxication and messiness in them was disgraceful.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sir, Cassidy is threatening to leak those photos. She isn't just looking to ruin me—she’s prepared to drag the Montgomery name into the mud with her,\" Jonah added.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward understood the gravity of the situation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I understand. I will see that she is kept under control.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Then I’m relieved. If the contract is in order, you can sign it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The deal was struck.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As Jonah walked past the adjoining office, he caught a glimpse of a familiar, beautiful figure inside. He lingered for a moment, but ultimately left without a word.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline, the young Mr. Harrison was hovering at the door for ages. He had such a lovesick look in his eyes!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline poked the junior assistant who had been gossiping. \"Millie, get back to work!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes, ma'am!\" Millie pouted, rubbing her forehead, and hurried back to her desk.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That evening, when Cassidy returned to the estate, she found a pair of security guards standing by the entrance. She entered the foyer, confused. \"Mom, why are there bodyguards at the door?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Edward and Marilyn looked at her, their expressions freezing her in her tracks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Cassidy, what did you promise me today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy felt her heart plummet. \"Dad...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you insist on keeping this child, the Montgomerys can afford to raise it! But if you pull another stunt like this, don't blame me when I throw you out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dad, you're kicking me out?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If your threats against Jonah had actually been carried out, have you considered the damage it would have done to the company?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If you want to terminate the pregnancy, we’ll find you the best surgeons. If you don't, you stay in this house until the baby is born! If I catch you playing games again, I will issue a public notice immediately and disown you!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dad... no, please!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Cassidy dropped to her knees, clutching Edward’s leg in desperation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get her! Take the second mistress upstairs!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272911134]