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Novel Catalog
Chapter_74
bribe?” Yvette’s voice was cool, almost teasing as she waved the check back and forth, her eyes glinting with amusement. “You think I’m just some poor girl you can buy off?”
Yulia blinked, startled by the sudden shift in Yvette’s demeanor. She had expected resistance, perhaps anger or even tears, but not this calm, almost mocking detachment. It threw her off balance. The check, now dangling like a worthless piece of paper, suddenly felt heavy with the weight of her own assumptions.
“I-I didn’t mean it like that,” Yulia stammered, her confidence faltering. “It’s just… I thought you’d want something for your trouble. This is a gesture to make things right.”
Yvette leaned back in her chair, her posture relaxed, but there was something sharper in her gaze now—a knowing look, as if she had seen right through Yulia’s intentions. “Make things right?” she repeated with a dry laugh. “By throwing money at me? Do you think that’ll fix everything?”
Yulia’s eyes flickered with unease. She was used to people taking what she offered, especially when it came to money. But Yvette wasn’t like the others. The girl didn’t seem to care for wealth, status, or the things Yulia could offer.
“The agreement is already broken,” Yvette continued, her voice quiet but firm. “You’ve got nothing left to offer me, Mrs. Carier. As for Victor, he can marry whoever he wants. I’m not interested in any of this anymore.”
Yulia’s face flushed, her pride stung. She had expected Yvette to put up a fight, to demand something—anything—in return. But instead, Yvette was brushing her off like an inconvenience. The calmness in her voice only served to amplify the sense of unease growing in Yulia’s chest. She had underestimated Yvette, and now, she realized, that was a mistake.
“Yvette…” Yulia began, her voice faltering. “Don’t you want to at least hear what we’re offering? Don’t you think you deserve something for your troubles? For the things you’ve been through?”
Yvette stood up, her expression unreadable. “I’ve been through a lot. But it’s not about money or some broken agreement. It’s about moving on. I don’t need anything from you, Mrs. Carier. Nothing at all.”
With that, she turned on her heel and began walking toward the door. Yulia’s words died on her lips as she watched Yvette leave, the cool breeze from the door sweeping into the room, leaving her with a sense of emptiness.
Outside, Yvette’s steps were purposeful, her mind already drifting back to other concerns. She wasn’t interested in Victor or his family’s manipulations. She wasn’t interested in the money or the broken promises. All she wanted was freedom. Freedom from the past, from the expectations that others placed on her. And as she walked away from the café, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief wash over her.
Back at the university, Bonnie paced nervously outside the café, her thoughts a whirlwind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Yulia, with her polished appearance and forced politeness, had been up to something—she could feel it in her gut. But what? And why was she so determined to involve Yvette?
When Yvette reappeared, Bonnie’s expression softened with relief. “Yve, you’re back. Is everything okay?”
Yvette’s eyes flickered with amusement. “Everything’s fine. She just wanted to throw money at me and call it a day. Can you believe that?”
Bonnie’s eyes widened, her mind racing. “What? Money? That woman—she’s just trying to buy you off!”
Yvette shrugged, nonchalant. “If she thinks I’ll bite, she’s sorely mistaken. Now, let’s get to class. I’ve had enough drama for today.”
As the two of them walked back toward campus, Bonnie couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of respect for Yvette. Despite everything, despite the manipulations and the pressure, Yvette stood her ground. She wasn’t interested in the games or the money. She was in control of her own fate.
And that, Bonnie realized, was something truly powerful.
