Chapter 14

Vanessa was all action-no hesitation. First, she stormed into the brokerage firm and offloaded her stocks in record time. Then, she hit up the black market and sold off every piece of jewelry she had. By the end of the day, she'd scraped together 5.5 million in cash. Xander followed her around, still trying to process what just happened. The way Vanessa moved-sharp, decisive, totally fearless-it was like she'd become a whole new person. He couldn't help but be a little stunned. "So, Sis, what's the plan for the money?" he asked, eyes full of admiration. Whatever Vanessa was doing, he was all in. "Buy a place," she said. She'd already scoped out an apartment in the city, super close to their school. It had great transport links and top-notch security. She knew John and Grace were starting to get suspicious. Staying at the Wallace place any longer was asking for trouble. It was better to get out while they could. "Buy-buy a house?!" Xander's eyes lit up like fireworks. After all those years of living under someone else's roof, the idea of having their own place? It was unreal. He'd dreamed about it forever, but as a student, he had no way to make it happen-not anytime soon, anyway. But Vanessa didn't just dream-she made it real. And fast. She flicked his forehead with her finger and shot him a look. "Don't get all emotional on me. What? You actually feel bad leaving Grace behind? You treating her like your real mom or something?" Xander practically jumped like he'd sat on a hot stove. "Me? Hell no! That witch? I'd love nothing more than to take her down-" Vanessa laughed and cut him off. "Good. Let's go house hunting." She'd figured from the start that Xander wasn't actually as easygoing with Grace as he pretended. The kid was sharp. While the Brooks sibs were out making real estate moves, Leander had a question for his right-hand man, David Armstrong. "What's that Vanessa girl up to?" David smirked. "Buying a place." "Hmm?" Leander raised an eyebrow. David filled him in on what Vanessa and Xander had been up to all day. Leander's mouth curled into an amused grin. "So she's a sly little fox after all. Interesting. David, grab a gift. We're dropping by the Wallaces tonight." David blinked in surprise. "Boss, you're not seriously-" "You managing my personal life now?" Leander's smile vanished as he shot David a pointed look that shut him up instantly. As Vanessa had guessed, it didn't take long for Grace to find out where that money had come from. The moment she and Xander signed the deal and had the property title in their hands, the phone rang-Grace demanding they come home ASAP. Vanessa already knew what was coming. Stepping into the Wallace house, Xander placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Vanessa, whatever happens, I've got your back. Always." Trying to lighten the mood, Vanessa shot him a side-eye. "Obviously. What, you gonna side with Grace? Please. You aren't that dumb." Her sarcastic jab took the edge off, and Xander exhaled. "Jeez, you're rough." Hearing movement at the door, Chloe was already itching to explode. She flung it open before they could even ring the bell and started shouting, "Vanessa, you shameless thief! Give me back my money!" Vanessa's face stayed calm-she had expected this mess from the start. Back when she tricked Chloe, she already knew that once Grace and John found out, they'd demand everything back. That's why she burned through it fast-it was the only smart move. Just a moment ago, Vanessa was full of confidence, but now her shoulders hunched slightly, and she squeezed out a few tears. She nudged past Chloe, stormed in, and pinched Xander's ear hard. Looking at Grace, she burst out crying, "Auntie, I'm so sorry! Xander's been such a disaster... He owed tons to loan sharks! They even threatened to break his legs if we don't repay soon..." Xander yelped in genuine pain-Vanessa wasn't holding back. He bellowed, half from pain, half pretending. Man, this girl really threw him under the bus. But honestly, he didn't mind. If this little drama saved their new house, it was worth it. With that in mind, he scrunched up his face and hollered, "Vanessa, you little devil! Why are you so mean?! I only asked for a bit of help, and you go full psycho on me-I hate you!" Originally, Grace and John came ready to rip Vanessa apart and force her to hand over everything. But after watching this circus, their anger died down. Now they just stood there, stunned. "Aunt, Uncle, I messed up. I brought this useless brother back-do whatever you want with him... I just... how am I supposed to face our dead parents? He's their only son left, you know?" She cried harder now, tears streaming down her face like a heartbroken drama queen. John and Grace were seething inside, but couldn't do a thing about Xander. Everything Vanessa said was laced with subtle threats. Everyone knew her late parents had been nothing but generous to her uncle's family. And if harm came to Xander, well-there'd be consequences, especially with the inheritance. John's brows furrowed, and he barked loudly, "Xander! Talk. What's going on? Don't you dare lie, or you'll regret it." Vanessa finally released his ear and covered her face, whimpering. Xander slouched, head down so low it nearly touched his chest as he muttered, "I was just... playing games," he murmured. "Someone invited me to this bubble-popping thing. At first, I was winning a lot, but then... I kept losing. I thought I could win it back, so I borrowed money. And then more. And more. It just spiraled out of control..." With every borrowed "more", his voice dropped, and Grace and John's hearts sunk along with it. That damn Vanessa used the Hayes family token to cover his debt-over five million gone in a blink. For the first time ever, they started seriously regretting spoiling Xander into such a spoiled brat. Chloe? She was dumbfounded. She thought once she got the token from Vanessa and her parents stepped in, they could pressure Vanessa into giving up her money without hurting a hair on her head. Too bad. All that planning? Useless. Things completely blew up.