?Chapter 686:


    As soon as Jordy left, Isabe turned to Denis andined, “What now? Brenna wouldn’t even budge for thirteen million. That’s already a generous offer. Sure, she is the daughter of the Harper family and Ethan’s girlfriend. But so what? She thinks she’s too good for thirteen million? How dare she ask for so much more? She is too greedy!”


    Denis nced at her, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face. Isabe was always in his corner, always thinking from his side. That loyalty meant more to him than he liked to admit.


    He said, “Didn’t your mother raise her? Maybe she could talk some sense into Brenna. She might soften if ites from your mother.”


    At that, Isabe’s face clouded over. “My mom? Come on, Denis. You really don’t know, do you? She’s the reason my family fell apart. We went bankrupt because of her. When my family had nowhere to turn, we went to Brenna’s ce and begged for help, but she mmed the door in our faces. Brenna is heartless. She would never listen to my mom.”


    Denis’s mood soured. The deal was slipping through his fingers, but he refused to lose half the profit to secure it.


    He said, “Just try. What if she softens up? Have your mom y the part. Beg Brenna if she has to. Brenna can’t be that heartless.”


    Isabe nodded. “Fine. I’ll call my mom and ask her to try.”


    “Good.”


    Meanwhile, Brenna and Joe had found a table on the first floor of the restaurant and ordered a simple meal.


    Joe leaned back in his chair and nced around with an easy smile. “Nice ce. It seems popr.”


    Across the room, Jordy stood near the staircase. He watched Brenna and Joe from a distance. He figured it was better to give Brenna some space; maybe she would change her mind soon.


    And with Joe there, Jordy knew it wasn’t the right time for him to approach Brenna.


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    If he wanted to bring up the past, it would have to be when they were alone.


    After lunch, Brenna and Joe left the restaurant together and headed back to the office.


    When it was time to get off work, Brenna received a call from Ruby.


    The moment she answered the call, Ruby’s voice came through. It was unexpectedly soft and almost unfamiliar. “Brenna, mommy misses you. Let’s have dinner tonight. Just the two of us.”


    Brenna’s fingers tightened around her phone. She didn’t want to waste her time on Ruby at all.


    “I can’t. I have ns tonight. If that’s all, I’m hanging up,” she replied tly.


    Ruby panicked. “Don’t hang up! Please, Brenna, I really miss you. I know I treated you badly before. I know you hate me. I’ve been thinking about youtely and feeling so guilty. Please… just give me a chance. There’s so much I want to say to you.”


    Ruby disconnected the call, her smile disappearing as her face contorted with spite. “That little brat hasn’t changed—still so smug and cold. What kind of behavior is that? How did I raise such a thing?”


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