An Unhinged Arrival

I stared at my phone, calculating the numbers again in my head. Eight million for my share of the villa was less than I deserved, but I'd rather take a loss than owe Alistair anything more.

"Are you sure?" Alistair asked for the third time. "I'm perfectly willing to give you fifteen million. The property's value has increased substantially."

"Eight million is fair for my investment." My voice remained cold. "I just want what I put into it, nothing more."

"This isn't about fairness, Hazel. You deserve—"

"I said eight million." I cut him off sharply. "Transfer the funds today, and I'll meet you tomorrow at the government center to sign over the deed."

Silence stretched across the line before Alistair sighed. "Fine. Have it your way."

After hanging up, I sank onto my couch and ran through the numbers again. The eight million plus my savings would give me roughly twenty-five million. The auction house estimated my mother's jade bracelet would go for at least a hundred million.