Chapter 691 Stop Lending Him Money
It was undeniable that Crosby was an incredible man and no one knew how he did it. Not only was he able to get Jayden released, but the debt collectors also said Jayden was not allowed to gamble in their territory anymore. In other words, they were indirectly banning him from gambling.
In a way, it was a happy ending.
When Jayden was freed, his face was covered with bruises, and his lips were swollen like sausages.
“Oh, my poor son. Why did they beat you up like that?” Ophelia cried out.
However, her cries only made Jayden’s head hurt.
“Mom, can you be quiet? My head hurts terribly, and I’m starving. Please make me something to eat.” Jayden said.
Ophelia said hurriedly, “Okay. Okay. I’ll go make you some food now.”
“Mom, I want to eat meat. I’m famished. Please put in lots of meat, okay?”
“Okay. Get some rest. I’ll make you some food now.” Ophelia answered.
When she left, Tiffany said, “Dad, why don’t you go and help Mom? I can take care of Jayden here.”
Reginald nodded.
The moment Reginald left the room, Tiffany’s face turned grim instantly.
Jayden shuddered and subconsciously avoided Tiffany’s gaze, which looked as if she was going to gobble him up.
“Jayden, don’t you have anything to say to me?” Tiffany questioned, crossing her arms across her chest.
Jayden blinked intensely, clearly feeling extremely guilty.
“Tiff, I didn’t do it on purpose. I just had the itch, and someone egged me on, saying he could help me win lots of money. I couldn’t control myself and entered the place again. But I promise this is the last time. If I gamble again, I’ll chop off both of my hands. I mean it,” Jayden promised, gulping.
“What’s the point of making promises when you never keep them?” Tiffany said frustratedly. “You’re going to be forty years old soon. How could you believe such stupid instigations? If money could be won so easily, then everyone would be gambling now. Are you brainless or just pure stupid? You could’ve worked hard to earn that money, but no, you just had to pick up bad habits like gambling. Are you trying to ruin our family?”
Jayden licked his lips and said awkwardly, “Tiff, I just couldn’t accept how things have turned out. I couldn’t believe that I would be so unlucky. So, I wanted to try gambling again, thinking maybe I could turn the situation around. I never expected that I’d end up with such a huge debt.”
Tiffany scoffed out loud.
“You never expected it? I bet even pigs are smarter than you.” She was too tired to scold him. “If it weren’t for Mr. Clinton, I’m sure your limbs would’ve been chopped off already. Mr. Clinton is a busy man. He can’t possibly rescue you every time. I’d advise you to start behaving yourself in the future. Don’t blame me for being a heartless sister if something actually happens next time.”
Jayden held his silence.
Tiffany was so livid that she could only point at him, not knowing what else to say.
Amelia comforted, “Tiff, don’t be mad. It’s great enough that he’s home. Then again, it’s all thanks to Crosby this time. We should arrange a time to treat him to a meal to thank him.”
Tiffany nodded.
Jayden gave Amelia an excited glance. “Mrs. Clinton, did you just say Crosby saved me? Is he the big shot in the real estate industry?”
“That’s right. You know him?”
“Of course. How could I not? He’s a legend among the locals. There’s practically no news related to him apart from the few financial magazines that featured him. He’s a legend who rarely makes a public appearance. I’ve been wanting to meet him. It’s just that a nobody like me won’t have the slightest chance of talking to him, let alone meet him.”
Tiffany cut in. “Jayden, stop messing around and live a proper life with your wife. Just focus on bringing up your children and stop thinking so much about anything else.”
Jayden panicked. “Tiff, what do you mean? He’s my savior. What’s wrong with me thanking him?”
“I’ll be more than happy if you don’t cause trouble for me.”
Jayden was beginning to feel angry at that point.
Amelia piped up, “Jayden, Crosby told us before that he’s extremely busy. He usually won’t meet strangers. Besides, you said he is a big shot in the real estate industry. He doesn’t simply meet people on normal days. So, stop being mad at Tiff. For the past few days, she’s been working hard because of your matters. In fact, she got so anxious that she almost fell ill. She’s feeling angry because she wants you to live a better life and stop being obsessed with gambling. After all, gambling isn’t a good habit. Many unlucky people have lost their wealth and were separated from their family members. She’s your sister. I’m sure she doesn’t want to see such an ending.”
Jayden’s tense expression finally eased up.
He glanced at Tiffany and said awkwardly, “I’m sorry, Tiff. I promise I won’t do it again.”
Tiffany snorted and said rudely, “We’ll talk more when you actually fulfill your promise. Otherwise, your promises are useless.”
Jayden kept silent.
Instantly, the atmosphere grew tense.
Right then, Ophelia entered with some food, breaking the awkward silence that hung in the air.
“Your food’s here, Jayden,” Ophelia said. “Tiff, tell Derrick and your friend to come over and eat.”
Soon, everyone sat down to have a meal.
After the meal, Ophelia dismissed Jayden so he could get some rest. Then, she turned to Tiffany, saying, “Tiff, don’t be too hard on your brother. He knows he’s wrong too. As his younger sister, you shouldn’t be so disrespectful toward him.”
Tiffany scoffed out loud and said in a slightly mocking manner, “Mom, it’s my money he spent. He used up millions in less than three months. Don’t I get the right to scold him? Fine, I don’t want to scold him, either. Just get him to return my money. We should address financial matters clearly. Besides, I’m a daughter who’s married off to another family. I shouldn’t be paying for his mistake, right?”
Ophelia sighed and said guiltily, “Now that you’re rich, I’m sure you won’t be in need of those couple of millions. Why do you have to be so calculative with Jayden? Do you know how much he loved you when you were younger?”
Tiffany smirked.
Suddenly, Amelia shook her head and said, “Mrs. Winters, you haven’t been sleeping well for the past few nights because of Jayden’s matters. I’m sure you must be tired. Why don’t you and Mr. Winters get some rest?”
Ophelia responded, “Okay. Then, we’ll go get some rest. Let me know if you need anything.”
Amelia nodded.
Once the older couple left, Amelia said, “Tiff, your parents are having a hard time too. It’s great news that this matter is solved. Don’t be mad already. It’s not a good idea to disrupt the peace in your family.”
Tiffany said angrily, “Babe, I don’t want to be angry, either. But did you see my parent’s reaction? Ugh, fine. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. They’re still my family no matter how bad they are.”
Amelia could only pat Tiffany on the back as a silent gesture of consolation.
Amelia rested in Tiffany’s house for the rest of the day. The next day, she received a call from Crosby, saying he wanted to treat her and Oscar to a meal.
Amelia said, “Crosby, my friend and her husband want to meet you too. Do you mind if they come along?”
“Of course not! Your friends are my friends. Just bring them along.”
That night, Amelia and Oscar brought Derrick and Tiffany to meet Crosby and his family.
In the private room, Amelia met Crosby’s wife, whom she had been looking forward to meeting. She thought the mischievous woman Crosby had been talking about would dress up in conventional clothes. To Amelia’s surprise, his wife was dressed fashionably. On top of that, she had delicate features, a petite figure, and beautiful, long, curly, blonde hair. She looked extremely young just like a barbie doll. Moreover, she looked like an obedient partner as she stood beside Crosby as if they were a couple consisting of an uncle and a niece.
“Hello. You must be Amelia. I’m Soleil Yandel York. My dad’s surname is York, and my mom’s surname is Yandel. I was born on a sunny day; hence, I was given the name Soleil. Don’t you think my name is very easy to remember?” Soleil said graciously.
Amelia smiled warmly and greeted, “Hello. I’m Amelia Winters.”
Soleil gave Amelia a warm hug. “You’re just as pretty as Crosby describes. So, I’ll forgive him for tricking me into bringing me here. I’d like to be your friend. I hope you don’t mind that.”
Amelia glanced at Crosby, who shrugged, indicating he had nothing to do with Soleil’s decision to come.
“Amelia, who’s this?” Soleil asked, looking at Tiffany.
“She’s my friend, Tiffany.”
Soleil nodded as a form of acknowledgment. Her gaze then landed on Derrick, and she exclaimed, “Who’s this celebrity? He looks amazing!”
Tiffany wrapped her arms around Derrick’s and said in a possessive manner, “He’s my husband.”
Soleil’s eyes darted between her and Derrick before the former finally smiled. “Both of you are quite a match.”
Tiffany’s expression finally relaxed after hearing that. She inquired, “Don’t you think our looks don’t really match each other?”
“A little. His looks are too striking, while you look pretty, though not striking enough. Based on looks, both of you aren’t really a good match. But so what? Don’t you think people who judge others based on looks are too shallow? Anyway, I can see this handsome man really loves you,” Soleil said nonchalantly.
Tiffany could not help but give Soleil another glance.
Just then, Crosby walked over and circled his arms around Soleil’s waist. “Honey, they’re meeting you for the first time. Don’t frighten them.”
Soleil shrugged in response.
After everyone took their seats, they ordered their favorite dishes.
Throughout the meal, Amelia truly understood what Crosby meant by his wife being mischievous.
Soleil was someone who spoke freely. Most of the time, she would say and even do things that were unexpected. Though her actions seem casual, she was not a willful person. On top of that, she was smart. From their conversations, Amelia could sense that she was a smart, understanding, and knowledgeable person. That explained how Soleil managed to capture Crosby’s heart.
What Amelia did not expect was that she would become best friends with Soleil, and the latter would help her out countless times.
It was an encounter by chance; yet, she gained a friendship that would last a lifetime. Perhaps it was fated long ago.
When the meal came to an end, Soleil said in a casual manner, “Amelia, Tiffany, can I have your numbers? When I go to Tayhaven one day, I’ll ask you girls out. I think both of you are quite interesting and easy to get along with.”
Hence, Amelia provided all her contact details. With a smile, she said, “We’d love to have you in Tayhaven. I believe we’ll become good friends.”
“I think so too. Besides, Crosby told me you’ve given birth to a cute child. We must talk about our childcare experiences when I go to Tayhaven one day.”
“Sure.”
Soleil then turned to look at Tiffany, who also gave the former her contact details. After saving them, Soleil said, “Tiffany, you should give birth to one soon. That way, all three of our children can grow up together.”
Amelia and Tiffany burst into laughter at her words.
