<b>Chapter </b><b>168 </b>


    Jade’s expression didn’t change. If anything, the slight furrow between her brows suggested she found the whole story annoying rather than moving.


    58


    “If Conrad had known about you, Archer said softly, “I believe he would have lived. He would have had something to live for.” He nced at Frank. “I can only assume that Hazel, with her poor health, felt she couldn’t care for a child


    alone. That’s why she left you at the hospital.”


    Frank cleared his throat. “Your mother seems pretty strong–willed,” he said to Archer. “If Jade decides to go with you, will she… will your mother treat her well?”


    “I swear on my life,” Archer said firmly, no harm wille to her in our home.”


    “Who said I was going anywhere with you?” Jade’s voice cut through the room like ice.


    Archer blinked, surprised by her direct challenge. ‘I… Of course, it’s entirely your choice. Whether you choose to remain with the Morgans ore to the Sullivan household, we’ll respect your decision. Either way, you’re family.”


    Jade’s lips curved into a cold smile.


    “I just said that no matter if you’re willing to return to the Sullivan family or not, we Sullivan family will definitely reward the Morgan family for raising you,” Archer confirmed with a nod.


    “You mean reward Linda for locking me in the basement when I was six because I broke her favorite mug?” Jade asked, her voice eerily calm. “Or for making me sleep on the back porch when I was nine because I got better grades than Emily and she was jealous?”


    Archer’s face drained of color. “What?”


    “Maybe you want to reward her for the cigarette burns on my arms when I was twelve,” Jade continued in the same conversational tone. “Or perhaps for feeding me nothing but cold cereal for a month when I was fourteen because she spent the grocery money on those fake designer purses.” She nodded toward the collection disyed prominently on the shelf.


    Linda’s face had gone pale, her eyes darting nervously between Jade and Archer. “She’s lying,” she said quickly. “Teenagers always exaggerate. We had some disagreements, sure, but-”


    “Ask the neighbors,” Jade suggested to Archer.


    Frank had covered his face with his hands, his shoulders shaking slightly.


    Archer stood up slowly, his face a mask of controlled fury. “Is this true?” he asked Linda.


    Ling


    abandoned her attempt at denial. “Look, raising teenagers is hard, okay? Sometimes discipline gets a little strict. Besides,” she added, her eyes calcting, “if she’s really your fancy Sullivan niece<b>, </b>then you owe us for taking


    care of her all these years.”


    “Owe you?‘ Archer repeated incredulously.


    “Fifty thousand dors,‘ Linda said, crossing her arms. “That’s my price. Fifty thousand and you can take her right


    now.”


    58


    “Linda!” Frank gasped, his head jerking up.


    “Oh, don’t act shocked,” Linda snapped at him. “It’s a fair price. Fifty grand, t rate. You give me the money, you


    take her with you. Simple as that.”


    Archer’s face had hardened into stone. “You’re attempting to sell a child.”


    “I’m not selling anything,” Linda retorted. “I’m asking forpensation for eighteen years of food, clothing, housing. The Sullivan family is loaded–fifty grand is nothing to you people.”


    “She’s not a car, Linda,” Frank said, his voice shaking.


    “You’re right, Linda shot back. “A car would’ve been useful. She’s been nothing but trouble since the day you brought her home. So yeah, fifty grand. The Sullivans owe us that much at least.”


    Archer’s hand trembled slightly as he reached into his jacket pocket. For a moment, Jade thought he might be reaching for his checkbook. Instead, he pulled out his phone.


    “I’m contacting Child Protective Services,” he said coldly. “What you’ve described is criminal child abuse and neglect. And now you’re attempting to sell a minor. The authorities will be very interested.”


    Linda lunged forward, her face contorted with rage. “You can’t prove anything! It’s her word against mine! Who’s going to believe some moody teenager over a mother?”


    “You’re <b>just </b>trying to get out of paying what you owe!‘ Linda shrieked, her voice rising to a painful pitch. “Your family is responsible for all this! If you hadn’t abandoned her mother, none of this would have happened! The Sullivans owe us!”


    “ENOUGH!


    The <b>roar </b>came from Frank, who had stood up from the sofa.


    Badass in Disquise