Chapter 478
Back then, none of them had bothered to look too deeply into Effie’s background.
They’d all been too busy turning up their noses at where she came from to imagine she might be more than she seemed.
Looking back now, they realized just how much they’d missed.
But regret was useless. No-she refused to regret anything.
Her son was outstanding; he’d meet someone even better in the future.
Still, Adeline couldn’t resist reminding Mitchell, “I ran into Suzan today. Can you believe she actually begged me to let her see you? I threw her out, of course. After everything she’s done to us, she still has the nerve to show up at my door. Unbelievable.”
When Mitchell didn’t react, she pressed on, “Listen to me, don’t be stupid. Stay away from that trash, Suzan. She’ll only drag you down!”
Mitchell finally looked up at her. “You’re the one who pushed me toward her in the first place. You said her uncle was Lionel, remember? Honestly…I got bored of her ages ago.”
Adeline huffed, “How was I supposed to know she was such a walking disaster? If I’d known, I never would’ve let you get involved with her! You have no idea- today, she went crazy in front of Effie, grabbing her hand and causing a scene-“
“Mom, my head’s killing me. Can you please just stop talking for a minute so I can rest?”
Mitchell pressed his fingers to his temples, wincing. Ever since the company ran into trouble, suppliers had been hounding him for payment, demanding he settle the overdue invoices.
He’d made the mistake of listening to bad advice, ramped up production, and now all that extra inventory was just gathering dust in the warehouse-completely unsellable.
If he couldn’t move the product, he couldn’t recoup his costs. And if he couldn’t do that, there was no money left for any of the mounting expenses.
He was barely going to scrape together next month’s payroll.
“Mom, the suppliers are pressing for payment again. Is there any way you
could…” Mitchell trailed off, his voice strained.
Adeline’s jaw tightened. “You think I’d let us lose face over money? How much do you need? I’ll cover it.”
“Eight million,” Mitchell said quietly.
Adeline froze, staring at him in disbelief. “Eight million? Are you kidding? Where am I supposed to pull that kind of money from?”
Mitchell
want to ased stricken. “I don’t of Suzan. She ruined e Decauset
ask, but this is all because
I never have trusted her.”
Adeline rubbed her forehead. “You know I put a lot into the company when you started it. The market’s down, most of my money is tied up. I can scrape together three O million-no more.”
Three million… It wasn’t even close.
“Mom, is there anything else you can do?” Mitchell pleaded.
Adeline stared at him, her fingers tapping anxiously against her arm. Suddenly, an idea struck her.
“There might be one way,” she said slowly. “But…..”
“But what?” Mitchell leaned forward, desperate. “I’m out of options. I’ll try anything.”
Adeline hesitated, then spoke. “Go to Suzan. She started this mess; she should help fix it.”
Mitchell pressed his lips together,
silent. He’d already decided to cut
Suzano
off, and now his mother
wanted him to go crawling back.
“Suzan’s still not over you. The girl’s an idiot-use that while you can. Get her to help you.”
“And if she doesn’t have the money, her uncle certainly does.”
A conflicted look flickered across Mitchell’s face.