No Divorce? The Billionaire's Love Chase! novel Chapter 126

Claudia's parents exchanged a look, and Jessica turned to go to the bedroom.

Claudia instantly knew what her parents intended. With tears in her eyes, she pulled out the bank card York had put in her pocket the night before.

"Since you've checked the accounts, you must have the exact number," she said to the old man.

Old Mr. Ferguson's face was grim. "Since you're so set on divorce, I won't stop you. The principal is 1.45 billion dollars. With interest, the total is 1.5 billion. Pay it back, and I'll have York sign the papers."

The world seemed to tilt, and Claudia nearly lost her footing.

That was the exact amount she'd gotten for her mother's jewelry—1.5 billion.

If they returned all of it, not only would her parents' retirement be gone, but her brother would have to drop out of school.

York moved quickly, steadying her.

His complex gaze fixed on her pale face as he murmured her name in a low, hoarse voice, "Claudia..."

He started to pull her into his arms, but Felix shoved him away, helping his daughter to the sofa.

Claudia watched as Jessica came out of the bedroom with a bank card, and she lowered her head in shame.

She was the one who got involved with the wrong person, dragging her parents and brother down with her.

Jessica took the card from Claudia's hand and placed it on the coffee table. "We'll pay the money. You just write a receipt, and you can take these two cards."

Old Mr. Ferguson rose slowly, supported by his butler. "Since your minds are made up, there's nothing more to discuss. You can have your divorce, but the Watkins family will have to bear all the negative consequences that come with it."

In other words, for York's sake, Claudia had to be the one at fault, shouldering all the negative press to protect his reputation.

Felix's face was ashen with rage. "Don't you push us too far!"

Jessica looked at her daughter with aching love, tears welling in her eyes.

Claudia looked back at her parents, her own eyes red. "Dad, Mom, as long as I can get this divorce, I'll do anything."

Three years of marriage. He knew she couldn't bear to leave him.

Claudia looked him straight in the eye and said, word by word, "I'll pay back the principal. But you won't get a single cent of interest."

The relief on York's face slowly froze.

Sewell reminded her, "Do you have any idea how much profit 1.45 billion could generate in York's hands over three years? If we were to calculate the real value, your family could never afford to pay it back!"

Claudia ignored him.

She stood before York, her eyes red and brimming with unshed tears.

She had to, at the very least, save enough for her brother's tuition.

Her lip trembled as she spoke, each word a painful blow. "Do you think with my face and body, I couldn't have made fifty million in three years if I'd just sold myself to the highest bidder?"

Her face was ghostly pale, her voice choked with tears. "I slept with Mr. Ferguson for three years. Surely Mr. Ferguson doesn't expect to have had me for free?"