Chapter 463 Seven Million for Me
Burl, riding shotgun, grumbled, "I thought you two would keep that up until noon before calling it quits."
Upon getting into the car, Chicago earnestly addressed Burl, "Uncle Burl, with your straight guy act, you're going to remain single. What a waste of a good-looking face!"
Chicago's comment took aback both Burl and Fiona.
"Who taught you to talk like that? Your godmother?" asked Burl.
"It was the grandma at the kebab shop," Chicago proudly explained.
Burl was at a loss for words.
"Did your godmother and godfather take you out for kebabs?" Fiona asked faintly.
Charles facepalmed.
Chicago gave an awkward laugh.
Busted.
There was an agreement that day with the godmother.
This was something Chicago couldn't tell Mommy.
Oh no, she has let her godmother down!
Unaware of being ratted out by Chicago, Thalassa hummed tunes all the way to work. Her company's office was a rented space, with the team having just recently become fully staffed and operational. There had been too much drama recently for her to bother with a grand opening ceremony. She planned to wait until the main building was completed before holding a significant launch event.
She had visited many times. By now, the receptionist on the first floor recognized her instantly and greeted her eagerly as she walked in.
Thalassa courteously replied, but before she could make her way to the turnstiles leading to the elevator, the receptionist came running out.
"Miss Carey, someone's looking for you," she said, with a trace of sympathy in her expression.
Thalassa followed her gaze.
In the lobby's lounge area, quite a few people were sitting.
"Thalassa!"
Before Thalassa could snap out of it, a familiar voice rose from the crowd.
And then, she saw a haggard, substantially aged Maria getting up and rushing toward her.
Thalassa's smile froze in an instant.
When Maria got close, Thalassa said, "What are you doing here? No, that's not right—why are you here at all?"
"I'm your mother. Can't I come to see you at your company?" Maria's eyes were red with emotion. "I never would have thought, after all the hardships of raising you, you'd turn out like this. Do you even care whether I live or die?"
The receptionist looked somewhat embarrassed.
Yet, she didn't move, seemingly eager to witness the drama unfold.
Thalassa let out a mocking laugh, clearly frustrated, "Let's not talk about how you raised me. As for whether I care about your well-being, have you forgotten all the money I've sent? The transaction records amount to millions. The villa you are living in back home, the Hermes bag you're clutching—didn't I pay for all of that? And you say I don't care?"
Maria's face stiffened, then glaring at Thalassa with tears streaming down her face; she asked, "So, now you want to settle accounts with your mother?"
"Firstly, we've already severed our mother-daughter relationship, and secondly, yes, I do want to settle accounts. Do you dare to settle with me?" Thalassa asked pointedly, word by word.
She could never have imagined this.
Maria tracking her down to her company's building!
This immediately reminded Thalassa of those parents who, having failed to extort money from their children, would cause a scene at their workplace.
She had never thought Maria would be that kind of parent.
"Madam, have you and your daughter reached an agreement? When are you going to settle the construction payments you owe us?" At that moment, the group seated in the lounge stood up and began approaching.
They were a mix of folks from all walks of life.
Thalassa glanced at them, her gaze finally resting on Maria's face, "So, this was never about alimony. You were trying to lure me to Justin's company, then pressurize me into paying these people?"
"You know Chris has supported you for years..." Maria wouldn't meet Thalassa's eyes, a lack of conviction in her voice, "The total debt here is seven hundred thirty-six thousand dollars. You... you... just pay them."
"Seven hundred thirty-six thousand dollars?" Thalassa laughed out of disbelief, "Mom, do you think I'm some ATM? You expect me to accept a debt of over seven hundred thousand dollars because you say so? Are you really my mother? Why would you do this to me?"
Any remaining affection for her mother was fading fast.
The fragile tendrils of nostalgia spun from fantasies and maybes that had clung on—shattered in an instant.
"Look, if you and your daughter need to have it out, do it later. We've all got bills to pay and mouths to feed," said the leader of the group, a rough edge to his voice as he stared down Thalassa. "If we don't get our money today, I can't square things away back home, and your mom is going to be my collateral."
"I don't care who owes you. Go after them because I'm not your debtor!"
With those words, Thalassa turned to leave.
Maria, witnessing this, frantically grabbed at Thalassa's sleeve. "Thalassa, please don't be like this. You can't just ignore your mother. If they don't get their money today, they really will take her away!"
"Where's the money I gave you?" Thalassa demanded.
Again, Maria avoided her gaze.
"You gave it to Justin, didn't you?" Thalassa realized.
Angered, Maria shot back, "Why would you sabotage our company's deals? Without these guys, would your brother Chris have ever faced a cash crunch?"
That shook Thalassa.
"It was the Shaws who crossed the line time and again, angering my friends. And now you're pinning it on me?" She scoffed. "Seriously... Grandma handed you dad's pension – all of it went to Justin. Now, even the money for your retirement I gave you, you passed to Justin. Do you love him that much?"
"This is the first and last time I'm asking you for money, Thalassa. You..." Maria's plea, drenched in tears, drowned out whatever Thalassa was saying as she clutched at her arm.
"I don't have money," Thalassa snapped, trying to shake off her grip.
Then Maria cried out, "No money? Borrow some! Isn't your friend wealthy, married to Darwin? A few million is nothing for her!"
Thalassa's blood turned ice in her veins.
Kenny's face flashed before her eyes, sparking a thought. Thankfully, the Shaws hadn’t learned about Kenny's background, or else, what a mess it would be.
"Let go!" Thalassa struggled to free her hand.
Maria, incensed by the effort, pushed harder. "Don't pretend I don't know about the prime office space you're renting and the new skyscraper you're planning to build. You can't spare seven or eight million? If you really care about family, Thalassa, then you won't blame me for playing hardball. Give me the money, or I swear, I'll end it all right here!"
By now, bystanders had gathered, increasing in number.
Thalassa looked at Maria as if she were a stranger, a madwoman. Calmly, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number with practiced ease. After just two rings, the call was picked up.
"Thalassa," Justin's voice came through from the other side.
Thalassa looked at Maria, her tone ice-cold, "Justin, you're despicable." "
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