Lost Me, Gained Regret (Jane and Bryant Ferguson) novel Chapter 138

Bryant stood there, a vision in his tailored dark suit, his demeanor icy, his gaze chilling. Despite the coldness, an oppressive air of authority enveloped him, a natural-born leader through and through.

I was momentarily stunned.

Instantly, Allen's aggressive bravado deflated like a popped balloon. Gone was his earlier swagger as he rubbed his hands together, a sheepish grin spreading across his face as he approached Bryant. Bowing and scraping, he said, “Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Ferguson, what brings you here? I was just giving this little lady a piece of my mind.”

My pride felt trampled underfoot by Allen's words. Even though divorce was on the horizon, I didn't want Bryant to see me in such a disheveled state.

Or to witness such an unsavory family scene.

“Let’s leave, this doesn’t involve you,” I urged, pushing Bryant towards the exit.

I didn’t want my uncle meddling in my affairs, and I certainly didn’t want Bryant dragged into this mess.

“You scared?” Allen blocked the door, raising his voice. “Afraid your husband will find out how ungrateful you are?”

I was so frustrated I was almost speechless.

Before I could retort, he self-righteously accused, “It’s not your fault for finding someone new, it’s her. She’s so unreasonable, so inconsiderate! With her temper, how could someone like you possibly tolerate her!”

Bryant glanced at me, his expression loaded with meaning. “Oh? She does have quite the temper, doesn’t she?”

“I’m not wrong, am I?” Allen, feeling vindicated, grew even more animated. “Not to mention, she’s completely ungrateful! You know, it wasn’t easy for her aunt and me raising her, and now when it’s her turn to take care of us, she turns her back.”

“Hmm, that’s not right,” Bryant casually pulled up a chair and sat down, crossing his long legs, his voice very light. “You tell me, how should she take care of you? For matters like this, come to me, not her. She doesn’t call the shots in our home.”

I frowned.

What did he mean by coming to him, by saying I didn’t call the shots in our home?

A downtown apartment with four bedrooms and two living rooms, even at its cheapest, would cost a fortune.

Such a dream was unimaginable for them before, never expecting to be handed such a windfall.

Yet, suddenly, I wasn’t in a hurry to object.

This didn’t seem like Bryant’s usual way of playing the good guy.

Sure enough, Bryant adjusted his cufflinks, his lips parting slightly, “I think that’s not enough. After all, raising someone is not less than giving life to them. It should be repaid a thousandfold, a millionfold.”

Allen and Leroy exchanged glances, seeing the thrill in each other's eyes.

Bryant’s lips curled into a smirk, his gaze leisurely settling on Allen. “How about this? You compile a rough list of expenses spent on Jane over the years, like tuition, pocket money, extra tutoring, clothing, food, accommodation... everything counts. For every expense on her, I’ll pay back ten thousand times its value, settling it all in one go. How does that sound?”