Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

After dropping Briar off at the upscale neighborhood, Ashton said from the back seat, “Start looking into houses for sale near Shoneport University

tomorrow.”

Brandon was caught off guard but nodded. “Got it.”

He figured Ashton was only interested because Briar mentioned wanting to buy a place there. Brandon thought, ‘Wherever she moves, Mr. Wade is probably planning to buy the house right next door!

Briar, of course, had no clue about this. The next morning, she rode her motorcycle to Ellen’s place. When Ellen came down, Briar tossed her a helmet. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go have some fun.”

Ellen hadn’t slept well the night before. She kept worrying that everything had just been a dream.

It wasn’t until Briar called her that morning that she felt a little more grounded. Her brother really had found her, and he really did send someone kind and cool to look after her. Now that person was right in front of her.

Ellen fumbled with the helmet and climbed on the back of the bike. She didn’t know how to sit properly and wobbled a bit, but Briar didn’t laugh at her or say anything mean.

They rode to a small diner near Shoneport University for breakfast. They had pasta and waffles, and Ellen swore it was the best pasta she’d ever tasted.

At 8 AM, right after they finished eating, Briar got a call from a real estate agent. After confirming the meeting point, she drove Ellen to their first choice- Moonspring Estate, a small, upscale villa neighborhood near Shoneport University.

The agent was already waiting at the entrance, but when he saw that the potential buyers were two teenage girls, his enthusiasm noticeably cooled.

The cheapest home in the neighborhood started at 6 million dollars, and the one Briar had asked about was 18 million dollars. She might’ve looked put together, but the agent seriously doubted a girl her age could afford something like that.

Still, he stayed professional and showed them around, explaining the details of the house.

to him. She already liked the house and was busy imagining how she’d design a hidden room

what do you think, Miss Jennings?” the agent asked,

Briar said. “I’ll take it. I’ll pay in

full?” The agent blinked,

wrap up the paperwork today, if possible.” Briar pulled out a bank

about to dial when

practically trembling–this would be his biggest

any other houses for sale in the

to buy another one?” He could barely hold his phone steady from

felt like he’d just hit the jackpot–two villas in one

Briar said. “I’ll take that

a moment–I’ll call our manager right away to assist you with the paperwork,” the agent

Chapter 18

phone.

the largest real estate agency in Shoneport, they prided themselves on handling everything for clients as long as the money

call, he sounded thrilled. He said he’d be

dropped 24 million dollars on two homes in Moonspring Estate–one for

entire time. Now with the deed in her hands, her head felt light, her steps unsteady, like

her name. Just yesterday, something like that would’ve felt

felt like a stretch.