Back to My Worst Birthday and Starting Anew
Chapter 133 It’s All Because of Charmaine
The Read residence
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After spiraling into madness over his failed ambitions, Bennett found himself drowning in a repayment crisis.
Desperate to secure the project, he had borrowed millions, convinced of his inevitable success. On the same day, he splurged on a luxury car, rare antiques, and even ordered a fish pond worth millions, believing it would symbolize his future wealth.
However, his dreams crumbled in an instant.
Now, faced with mounting interest and daily threats from loan sharks after losing the bid, Bennett scrambled to borrow money from anyone who might help him patch the gaping financial hole.
Yet no matter how much he begged or groveled, no one was willing to help.
His desperation deepened when he tried to sell the antiques he had bought at exorbitant prices–only to find no buyers.
Even pawn shops turned him away.
“Mr. Read,” the shop owner said, his tone cautious, “it’s not that I don’t want your antique vase, but think carefully about who you might have offended lately. Your items won’t sell anytime soon–unless it’s to someone in your own family.”
Bennett’s face twisted in frustration, his mind racing with paranoia.
Who was sabotaging me?
It had to be a competitor–a cowardly one who could not beat him in business and resorted to underhanded tricks instead.
“I’ll make a comeback,” Bennett muttered to himself, his eyes blazing with desperation. “And when I do, I’ll crush every sneaky b*st*rds who dared to use such despicable tactics!”
Out of options, Bennett turned to Leah, crying and pleading as he clung to a shred of hope.
Leah, however, looked at him with nothing but disgust. His disheveled appearance–dark circles under his eyes, an unshaven face–made her recoil.
Her mind wandered back to her days at Nelson Mansion. Even during their hardest times, Willard and Jonah had maintained their composure and elegance.
Compared to them, Bennett’s rural origins and lack of refinement were glaringly obvious. No amount of money could mask it.
Rushing his hand away, Leah said coldly, “Seven million? Even if you kill me, I don’t have that kind of money to give you.”
Bennett’s eyes filled with desperation, but then a glint of greed flickered in them. “Leah, I know you don’t have the money–but Willard and Jonah do!”
12:35 Sat, Feb 22 )·
Chapter 133 It’s All Because of Charmaine
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+8 Pearls
you allowances, buy you jewelry, luxury items… it must all add up! Leah, you have to help me, or they’ll really cut off my hand!”
Hearing Bennett’s plea, Leah felt like she was listening to a ridiculous fantasy.
Was he out of his mind? That was her money–the wealth she had carefully accumulated over the years. And now he expected her to hand it all over to him?
Not a chance.
“No way!” Leah said firmly.
Seeing Bennett’s face twist in frustration, she quickly changed her tone, adopting a look of helplessness and sorrow.
“Daddy, you know Charmaine is always watching me. She is waiting for a chance to drag me down,” she said, her voice trembling.
“Have you forgotten? Last time when the Nelsons were in trouble, I didn’t sell those things for cash. If they find out I sold their gifts to give you money, what would they think of me? Would they still treat me well? Would I still have the chance to help the Reads gain any benefits in the future?”
Her eyes filled with tears, making her seem heartbreakingly helpless.
“I want to help you–I really do. Seeing you like this makes me so sad. But what can I do? All of this happened because of Charmaine!” Leah cried, tears streaming down her face.
“If she hadn’t appeared out of nowhere and told Milo and Jonah not to bid, would Jonah have sent someone to track her and found out about you, Dad?”
She wiped her tears, her voice breaking. “Now Milo and Jonah both side with Charmaine. I’m already devastated, and you’re still pressuring me like this…
Bennett’s face darkened, his expression turning icy and hostile.
“Yes, it’s all because of Charmaine. That little b*tch is the reason I ended up like this!” he growled.
Leah’s face lit with a glimmer of resolve as she clutched Bennett’s hand. “Daddy, if you truly want me to help you, I’ll do whatever you say. You’re my father–without you, there would be no Leah. If you ask me to sell everything, I’ll do it. No matter how the Nelsons view me, no matter the consequences, I’ll give up everything for you!”
Her tone was resolute, her attitude unwavering as though she was genuinely prepared to sacrifice it all for him.
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