Chapter 17 Pride Is All You’ve Got Left
The Moores dared to throw 30,000 in an attempt to humiliate them.
What a joke!
“How much do you want? Just name your price!” Drake bit his lip, his eyes narrowing as he continued, “But Teresa, you’d better not push your luck. Even patience has its limits!”
Teresa reached into her pocket, pulled out another jade pendant, and smashed it to the ground. “Fine! If you’re so insistent on breaking the engagement. I’ll grant your wish. From now on, the marriage agreement between our families is null and void! We’re done with each other, completely and utterly! Don’t come crawling back later!”
Crawling back? Did Teresa seriously think the Quades were some kind of prized catch?
Ruby’s eyes gleamed with scorn. “Teresa, make sure you remember what you did today. Don’t regret it later. And don’t make a spectacle of yourself by going back on your word.”
Ruby had no intention of getting tangled up with a family as fallen as the Quades.
If they were cutting ties, then it needed to be clean, with no lingering threads..
That way, there’d be no chance for the Quades to drag them into any messes in the future.
Drake, unbothered, pulled a few extra bills from his wallet and set them on the tray. “Teresa, our families have shared many years of history. Consider this extra money a gesture of goodwill. You and your widowed mother have it tough out there. If you ever hit rock bottom and end up on the streets, feel free to come to us for help. We’ve got a few spare rooms for the help. so consider it charity.”
Since the gloves were off, there was no need for pretense. The Quades were nothing but a broken, destitute family now.
Teresa grabbed the remaining jade pendant, turned on her heel, and helped Myrtle to her feet. Fury blazed across her face. “Mom, let’s go!
Myrtle, ever the composed matriarch, maintained her dignity despite her obvious anger.
Teresa, you forgot your money Drake instructed a servant to bring it over.
Teresa turned slightly, and for the first time in her life, swore. “The Quàdes don’t need your filthy money! Use it to buy your family a coffin!”
Drake burst into laughter, clapping his hands. “Bravo! What spirit! Today, I finally understand what it means to be so poor that pride is all you’ve got left”
If the Quades had just been a little more humble and showed a bit more desperation, maybe he would’ve taken pity on them when they ended up homeless.
But now? Not a chance.
The Quades were an ungrateful lot, undeserving of any more attention.
Their lives–or deaths–were no concern of his anymore.
Teresa helped Myrtle out the door.
A discreet black business car, unmarked and understated, was parked by the entrance.
The driver stepped out immediately, opening the door for them. “Mrs. Myrtle, Mrs. Teresa
Teresa’s expression was unreadable. She simply said, “Back to the estate. And let Kaine know they don’t need to come anymore.”
The assistant in the front passenger seat turned back. “Kaine and his team are already on their way.”
Chapter 17 Pride is All You’ve Got Left
Finished
Tell them to turn back.”
The assistant hesitated but quickly complied. “Understood.”
Neither Myrtle nor Teresa said a word as they sat in the back seat. The air inside the car was thick with tension.
Not until they reached the estate did Teresa finally explode, her anger boiling over. “How dare he! I can’t believe Drake would stoop so low!”
Myrtle placed a calming hand on her daughter’s. Don’t waste your breath on him. Teresa Caleb can have his pick of any woman he wants Ruby isn’t worthy of the Quades, much less Caleb While this situation may feel like a loss now, we’ve gained clarity. We’ve seen their true colors, and that’s invaluable.”
Ruby might be pretty, but she was nothing compared to the refined daughters of Pinecrest’s elite.
Plenty of women dreamed of marrying Caleb, but Ruby was too ignorant to realize what she had.
Teresa suddenly regretted not handling the situation better. “Mom, I should’ve thrown that money right at Drake’s smug face. I wish I’d made him bleed“”
As the lady of a prestigious household. Teresa was used to being revered wherever she went
She had never been treated with such contempt
But she’d been so furious earlier that she hadn’t thought things through.
“Why stoop to their level? Don’t let it bother you, Myrtle said with a reassuring smile. They’ve shown their ignorance today. One day, they’ll regret it
“You’re right”
Teresa took a deep breath and nodded, finally feeling some of her anger dissipate.
“Now that this engagement is over. Mom, should we head back to Pinecrest?
After all, they’d only come here because of the marriage arrangement.
