Chapter 5
That night, a group of thugs showed up at my door.
They were Underground lenders.
“David’s dead, but the debt’s not.”
“You’re paying up,” their leader, a man with a scar on his face, threatened.
“First, I’ve renounced all claims to David’s estate.”
“My mother–in–law inherited everything, including the debts.”
“Second, David borrowed the money, not me. And third, all that money went to his mistress. I didn’t see a penny of it. Why should I pay?”
I handed them a stack of financial records.
The thug looked through them but still refused to back down.
“You’re David’s wife. You’re responsible for his debts.”
“If you don’t pay, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
“Go ahead. Do your worst,”
Said, my voice steady.
Just then, a tall, middle–aged man walked in.
Three days earlier, through my lawyer, I’d met Captain Johnson from the anti–crime task force.
I’d called him before opening the door.
The thug froze as soon as he saw Captain Johnson, terror flickering across his face.
“Scarface, you’ve got some nerve threatening my friend. Want to go back to jail?”
Captain Johnson said, slapping the thug’s head.
The Ruined Pride of Velvet Nights
82.1%
Chapter 5
“Captain, I didn’t know she was your friend! I swear, I wouldn’t have dared if I’d known!” the thug
stammered.
“Get out of here. If I catch you bothering her again, you’re done for.”
The thugs scurried off, disappearing into the night.
After that, the underground lenders shifted their focus to my mother in law and Sarah, tormenting
them without mercy.
They were relentless, using every tactic they could.
My mother–in–law sold her house, and Sarah sold the car David had bought her, but the interest on the debt kept accumulating.
The original million debt had swelled to million, and it was still growing.
One evening, I came home to find my mother–in–law and Sarah sitting on my doorstep, looking worn
and defeated.
“Emily, thank God you’re back. You have to help us,” my mother–in–law pleaded.
“What’s going on?”
I asked, pretending to be unaware.
“Those underground lenders are after us.”
“We’re out of options. Please, help us,” she begged.
“David borrowed that money for you two. It’s only fair that you pay it back.”
“Besides, I don’t have the money to help,” I responded coldly.
“Emily, don’t you have any savings?” my mother–in–law asked, desperation creeping into her voice.
I laughed bitterly. “Even if I did, why would I help you?”
“We’re family! I’ve always treated you like a daughter.”
“How can you be so heartless?”
10:18
The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights
82.3%
Chapter 5
I scoffed.
“You’ve got some nerve. We’ve never gotten along, and you’ve always been selfish.”
“David’s ashes have been sitting at home for weeks.”
“Have you even thought about arranging a funeral?”
“Or buying a burial plot?”
My mother–in–law had no response.
“This house is being repossessed by the bank in two days. Don’t come back after that,” I said, slamming the door.
In my previous life, I’d suffered because of their greed.
Now, it was their turn to face the consequences.
Two days later, the bank seized the house.
I moved in with my mom, and we went to the lottery office to claim the prize.
The money was deposited into her account.
With the money, I bought a luxury car and a villa.
One day, I brought an interior designer to the villa, only to find my mother–in–law and Sarah had
tracked me down.
They must have realized I was staying with my mom.
I sent the designer away.
“You thief! I knew you stole the lottery ticket. Hand over the money!” my mother–in–law shouted.
“What lottery ticket?” I feigned innocence.
“Stop pretending!”
“David told me before he died–he won 0 million.”
10:18
The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights
82.59%
Chapter 5
“No wonder I couldn’t find the sicket. You mole in the accused
“Fine, keep the villa and the car. Just give us the rest of the money, Sarah demanded shamelesiy
“Sarah, have you no shame?”
“Even if David had won that money, it would’ve been marital property. What makes you think you’re entitled to it?” I shot back.
Tm carrying David’s child. That makes me entitled”
“Prove it. Once the baby’s born, we’ll do a DNA test.”
“I’ll prove it. I’m 100% sure it’s David’s.*
“Good luck with that. David’s ashes can’t be used for a DNA test.”
“Even if the baby’s born, it won’t prove anything.”
“Don’t think you’ve won. I can have the baby tested against David’s mother.”
“You clearly don’t understand how DNA works.”
“A match with David’s mother only proves a blood relation, not paternity.”
“Go ask a doctor if you don’t believe me,” I said coldly.
Sarah was stunned.