Linda’s eyes bulged, and her hand shot out instinctively. “Five million?” she gasped, all pretense of indignation forgotten. The broken nail on her index finger caught the light as her hand hovered in midair.
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Emily’s mouth dropped open, her face a mask of disbelief and bitter envy as she stepped further into the room. The stepsister she’d tormented for years was apparently a Sullivan–one of New York’s wealthiest families. All the opportunities, all the privileges that could have been hers if fate had been different. Her cheap shirt suddenly felt even more constricting, the polyester a stark reminder of her status.
The sound of a car door mming outside made them all jump. Frank moved to the window and peered out past the
faded curtains.
“It’s Jade,” he said, his voice a mixture of relief and dread. “She’s back.”
Archer’s hand, still holding the card, froze midair. His face tensed with anticipation, eyes fixed on the front door.
The door swung open without warning. Jade Morgan stepped inside, her sharp eyes immediately taking in the scene before her. She noted Frank’s guilty expression, Linda’s eager gaze fixed on something in Archer’s hand, and Emily’s stunned face. Her attention settled on the stranger in the expensive suit who was staring at her with undisguised
shock.
“Jade,” Frank said, his voice cracking. “You’re… home.”
Archer Sullivan seemed unable to speak, his hand with the ck card still suspended in the air as he turned fully toward the door. Linda nced between Archer and the card, frustration evident as it remained just beyond her
reach.
“What’s going on here?” Jade asked, her voice cold and precise. She dropped her bag by the door.
‘Jade, this is Mr. Archer Sullivan,” Frank began hesitantly, gesturing toward their visitor. “He’s-”
“I have something for you,” Jade interrupted, pulling a man folder from her bag. She walked past Archer Sullivan without acknowledging him and ced the folder on the coffee table with deliberate precision. “Divorce papers. Already drawn up. I need both your signatures.”
Linda’s attention momentarily diverted from the ck card in Archer’s hand to the folder on the table. “What are you talking about?” she demanded, her voice rising in pitch.
“You wanted a divorce. I’m making it happen,” Jade said coolly, flipping the folder open to reveal the legal documents inside. “The house will be split between Frank and Emily. Max and I don’t want any part of it.”
Linda lunged for the papers, her cheap bracelets jangling. “I don’t want a divorce. Your father was just angry when he said that. How could you take it seriously? It was just a…”
“Sign them,” Jade said, “or I go public about how you and Emily stole my physics draft to get her that Princeton early
…
<b>58 </b>
admission spot. How does prison sound, Linda?”
Emily gasped from her position near the kitchen doorway, her face paling to a sickly white. Frank hung his head, unable to look at anyone. Linda’s face contorted with rage and fear, her fingers gripping the edge of the papers so hard they crumpled beneath her grasp.
“What draft? What admission?” Archer Sullivan found his voice atst, looking between the family members with growing confusion. “What’s this about Princeton?”
No one answered him. Frank stared at the stained carpet. Linda’s jaw clenched so tight the muscles worked visibly beneath her skin. Emily had the decency to look ashamed, at least.
“Well?” Archer pressed, his authoritative tone cutting through the tension. “Would someone care to exin?”
“It’s none of your business,” Jade said sharply, turning to face him fully. Her eyes were cold and assessing as they swept over his expensive suit, the ck card still in his hand, and the leather portfolio on the couch. “Now, who are
you and what are you doing in this house?”
1
“Jade, Frank said, finally looking up. “Mr. Sullivan is here because…” He trailed off, unable to find the words.
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