The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Chapter 484

Sasha added, "He'll go from being the prince of the upper-crust society to a pathetic pauper! Let's see where that ego gets him after that."

I warned her from getting ahead of herself, "I doubt he'd fall so quickly in such a short time. He'd likely parade around as a prince for a while longer." "Why?" Sasha gave me a baffled look.

I explained patiently, "Think about it. Shane's father dotes on him, and even if he publicly announced he wouldn't pay a penny for Shane, no one would take his word for it. They'd believe he still cares about Shane enough to pay his debts. "Everyone would likely bribe Shane into putting in a good word for them to Mr. Winslow in hopes of making an impression. That way, they could angle for a collaboration with Mr. Winslow once the father-son duo bury the hatchet." Sasha processed everything I said and scowled. "No way. Would they really pull something as ridiculous as that to get into Mr. Winslow's good graces?"

"We might think it's ridiculous," I said with a laugh. "But to them, it's a strategic move."

She grew disgruntled. "So, what, I'm getting excited over nothing?"

"Not exactly." I elaborated, "Mr. Winslow must want to punish Shane and teach him a lesson by publicly cutting him off. He wants Shane to change for the better.

Mr. Winslow would either seek out these potential collaborators or find a way to tell them he would not be paying off Shane's debts. Once everyone sees how serious Mr. Winslow is, they'd hesitate to lend Shane money." Sasha's jaw dropped. "Wow! So what you're saying is that

that," I confirmed

salt in his wound! That prick! He brought this on himself, you know. He shouldn't have picked on me and gotten in the way

she could call

begin with. If she went up to him and called him a

letting nature take its course. She had work to focus on, anyway, and Shane should be the

ladies

voice suddenly rang out from behind. Sasha jumped, letting out a gasp. It wasn't until she got a better look

over my shoulder at Eric.

"I've got the latest gossip

I leaned forward.