After She Left

Chapter 4: I Want A Grand Proposal

LUKE’S POV

“Get out!”

I shout furiously and shove the idiotic barrister out of the house, slamming the door shut. Turning back to face them, I say, “Can y’all see the extent of trouble we’re in? Hazel is back! And she’s targeting us; put your heads together and figure something out, for goodness sake!”

Seething with anger, I storm away from them and shut my bedroom door behind me after stepping in. Feeling drained, I collapse onto the bed and struggle to relax while trying to think of a solution.

Just then, an idea strikes me, prompting me to jump up. I head to my safe and punch in the code.

To my utter disbelief, the cash is missing from my safe. “Could Ruby have collected the funds I kept here?”

On second thought, I check again and abruptly start piecing together what might have happened, as the veins on my forehead throb.

“How on earth did I spend the money I got from selling Hazel’s kidney?”

Burning with frustration, I kick the wooden stool beside me. “How did I waste $800,000? How?”

The more I dwell on it, the more enraged I become. I need answers, proof, or something that could explain what went wrong.

Quickly ,I ransack my cupboard, breathing heavily like a thief caught in the act.

I pull out a stack of receipts and sift through them, desperate to account for every penny.

At that moment, my phone rings persistently, slicing through my thoughts and jolting me back to reality.

I swallow hard when I see the caller ID but know better than to ignore the call.

Amid the tension boiling within, I answer calmly, “Yes, hello.”

“Just in case you’ve forgotten, the deadline for your loan repayment is today. When are we getting our money back?”

Oliver’s voice drips with menace. I compose myself and respond as if his words don’t faze me, “Give me some time; I’ll transfer the money soon.”

“He thinks we’re bluffing,” Oliver sneers, speaking to someone in the background.

I remain silent, waiting to hear what he’ll say next. “Luke, you have three days to pay back your loan of $1,000,000. Don’t make me remind you again; get the money in three days to avoid any trouble.”

“Damn it!” I kick the stool near me with immense fury. Slowly, I sink onto the bed, replaying my actions to figure out how the money disappeared.

Finding no leads, I curse aloud, “Hazel! This is all your fault—you caused this by freezing my account! I’ll do whatever it takes to deal with you! Perhaps, you need another lesson from me.”

Just then, Ruby barges in, staring at my disheveled appearance with disgust etched on her face. “Why do you look like that, Luke?”

I knit my brows and glare at her. “I didn’t realize that I’ve been downgraded to just my name.”

Ruby snaps back, “Why do you look like that?”

Running a hand roughly through my hair, I wonder if she’s serious. “Really, Ruby? Fine, I’ll explain since you seem clueless.”

She sits down, fixing her gaze on me as though awaiting a lecture. “You were right there when the barrister drama unfolded, and you’ve seen everything unraveling since. Why ask such ridiculous questions? Aren’t you affected by Hazel’s issue?”

She scoffs. “I’m not, and I don’t care about her or the people she’s targeting. Got it? I came here for something important.”

I keep quiet and stare into space to suppress my annoyance. Ruby continues, “This is the perfect time for you to officially propose to me.”

Shock floods my face as I turn to her. “Are you serious, Ruby? Can’t you see the situation we’re in?”

Ruby retorts, unfazed, “Two months ago, I told my friends about my engagement happening this month. The best part? They flew back from the US just for it. So, we must proceed with the grand proposal immediately.”

“Grand proposal,” I murmur weakly. “Ruby, can’t we postpone this? Let’s delay it, please.”

Ruby stands abruptly, visibly piqued. “No, we can’t. Find the money, and I’ll handle everything else. A grand proposal is the least the Smith family deserves—or would you prefer to disgrace them?”

I stare at Ruby, wondering how I ended up with such an inconsiderate partner. She casually grabs the remote and switches on the TV.

Hearing the voice of a journalist, I decide to distract myself with the news about the orphanage children; since everything and everyone has sworn to annoy me.

Ruby suddenly drops the remote to the ground, glaring at the TV. “What the hell is this?”

I can’t immediately understand her reaction, so I glance at the headline.

“Billionaire Mistress of the Smith Family Donates $16,000,000 to Eastside Orphanage Charity. Netizen's are curious to know the source of her wealth.”

Seeing Ruby’s picture on the screen, I look at her as if demanding an explanation.

She begins to lose it. “Why are you staring at me like that? You know I don’t have that kind of money! Where could I have gotten such money from? Goddamit!”

I smirk and finally respond. “Oh, I know. I guess you’ll have to care about Hazel now since she’s dragged you into her mess.”

Ruby glares daggers at me and storms out of the room. Once again, I’m left alone with my thoughts.

I grab my phone and attempt to access my hidden Swiss account, but as expected, it’s frozen too.

“I need money to deal with Hazel, money for the proposal, and even more to regain the directors’ trust. I won’t let Hazel win this time. I can't let that happen!”

Amid my frustration, a call comes in from an unknown number. I stay silent, waiting for the caller to speak first.

“I can provide you with any amount you need.”