Chapter 6

Otto was clearly in a foul mood. He didn't even notice me approaching.

I caught a hint of an indifferent voice on the other end of the call.

"We have solid evidence. We don't mind taking legal action," the caller said.

Then, a sleazy male voice slipped into the conversation. "Mr. Lancaster, can we sign the contract now?"

I thought back to Joey's last text. Suddenly, it all clicked in my mind.

Otto must've dashed out to argue with the company, maybe even call up a lawyer for a lawsuit.

He was always the picture of composure, but right now, even his posture looked a little defeated.

He'd broken away from the Wade family because he couldn't stand the way his father did things.

After that, he fought his way through college, juggling part-time jobs and classes.

Then he went overseas for school, waiting tables just to get by.

Everyone said he was driven, but I knew how much hardship he'd really endured.

Now that he was back from studying abroad, he'd worked himself to the bone just to secure this respectable job.

I went to Joey's office.

The receptionist shot me down, her voice icy.

"Mr. Lancaster has instructed that he doesn't want to see you now. Miss Lancaster, it seems you don't have any official business here."

I was shown out of the building and left standing in the biting wind for more than an hour.

At last, Joey sent me a text, as if tossing me a bone. [Come up.]

Even as I stepped into the elevator, it felt like the wind was still howling in my ears, my head pounding like crazy.

Inside the office, Joey kept his eyes down, signing papers at his own leisurely pace, not even glancing my way.

I couldn't bring myself to rush him.

My head was spinning, my vision swimming as I watched him sign document after document.

After what felt like forever, his voice suddenly cut through the silence. "How long are you going to keep staring?"

I snapped back to reality.

He'd stopped signing at some point, and now he was just staring at me with that icy look.

Deep down, I knew he hated me now. So I didn't bother beating around the bush. I just came straight to the point. "Otto's just an innocent bystander. Could you not drag him into this?"

Joey suddenly slammed his pen down on the desk. The sharp clatter of metal hitting wood felt like a punch to the gut.

He let out a cold laugh, his eyes slicing through me like a blade. "You really think Otto's innocent?

"After our parents were gone, do you know how many Lancaster contracts nearly landed in the Wade family's lap? Nina, still playing dumb?"

I blurted out, "That was Otto's dad trying to swoop in and take advantage. Otto cut ties with his family a long time ago. None of this is his fault."

Joey's voice dripped with hate. He sneered, "You think I'd actually believe that crap?

"He's innocent? And what about you, sending those texts to Mom and Dad during that blizzard? You think you get to call yourself innocent?"

My nails bit into my palm, sharp and painful. I was about to lose it, my voice nearly a scream. "How many times do I have to say it? I didn't send that text."

As soon as the words were out, tears spilled down my cheeks before I even knew it.

They slid to the corner of my mouth, leaving nothing but a sharp, salty sting.

I wiped at them messily, barely caring how desperate I looked.

From the edge of my vision, I caught Joey's usual sneer, only to see it suddenly go stiff.

When I glanced at him again, Joey had awkwardly turned his head away, staring out the window, refusing to meet my eyes.

I could only see the side of his face now, and I couldn't read him at all. I slowly calmed myself down.

In the end, I just let out a quiet sigh. "Whatever. Suit yourself." I turned and walked out of the office.

Behind me, Joey's voice was almost desperate, barely holding it together. "I wish I'd just let Mom and Dad send you away when they wanted to."

I froze in my tracks. The pain seeped into every part of me, invisible but overwhelming.

Years ago, on the night I was at my lowest, Joey was the only one who had my back.

Now, after all these years, he finally started wishing he'd ditched me a long time ago.

It mattered no more. I would be out of here soon anyway.

After all, that was what he wanted.

I didn't look back, my voice rough. "Just pretend I'm gone. Let's not ever see each other again."