When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 329

Walton had been dodging debt collectors everywhere he went lately.

His wife had run off with someone else, and even his own kid refused to call him Dad anymore. All of this, he blamed on Dorothea.

He would never mess with Dorothea, but he wasn’t about to let Elise off the hook.

He showed up at Elise’s tiny apartment. “Elise, you look pretty comfortable, hiding out here and living the good life, huh?”

Elise frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Even though she said that, she still let Walton inside.

She thought maybe Walton had heard she was sick, and for a moment, she let herself hope for a little family warmth.

But his next words shattered that fantasy.

“Elise, this is all your fault. Now everyone’s after me for money. I don’t care what you say, you have to help me pay it back.”

Elise pressed a hand to her chest. “You... how did you end up in debt? You worked at the hotel for years. Didn’t you save anything?”

Good question. Where did all that money go?

After he left the hotel, he sank everything he had into a bar. Lost it all. Then he tried to open a B&B and burned through the rest. Half his savings had already gone to his ex-wife, and what was left, he gambled away in the stock market. Nothing left.

He sold his car and his house, hoping he could win it all back in Macau.

Instead, he ended up owing the bank a fortune and another huge chunk to loan sharks. Debt collectors were banging on his door, and the only apartment he had left was already mortgaged. He was completely out of options.

He tried to go to Alfonso for help, but Alfonso wouldn’t even open the door. That cut deep.

With nowhere else to turn, he ended up at Elise’s.

“It’s gone. All of it. I owe the bank ten million, and the loan sharks five. You need to get me the money now, or they’ll break my arms and legs.”

“You—how am I supposed to come up with fifteen million? You’re out of your mind!”

Walton didn’t care. “Your apartment’s worth five million. Go ask your daughter and her husband for the other ten. Simple.”

“And your ex-husband has money too. Don’t tell me you walked away from the divorce with Layton and didn’t get a dime.”

Just hearing about the divorce was like twisting a knife in Elise’s chest.

She really did leave with nothing. She didn’t have the heart or the energy to fight Layton for anything.

Besides, when they divorced, Layton’s company was falling apart because he’d pissed off Latham. He could barely keep himself afloat.

So she just walked away.

“I don’t have any money. If you don’t believe me, go ask Layton yourself. Do you really think I’m lying to you?”

Walton snorted. “What about your daughter? She can’t be broke too.”

“We’re not family anymore. Didn’t you know?” Elise was done pretending. “Walton, I have cancer. I’ve got three months left. Pushing me won’t get you anywhere.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she coughed up a mouthful of blood right in front of Walton.

His face changed, but when he realized he wasn’t getting a single cent, he just grunted, turned, and slammed the door on his way out.

Elise covered her face and broke down crying.

This was the younger brother she’d protected for years. To stand up for Walton, she’d even slapped Dorothea once.

In the end, that slap had come back to hit her.

...

After signing the contract and getting paid for four episodes in advance, Dorothea felt great.

In the end, they decided to just shoot the show at home.

“If it’s inconvenient, you can always rent a place like the others did. That way it won’t mess up your daily life,” the staff suggested.

“No need,” Latham said right away. “We’ve got plenty of houses. After filming, we’ll just move.”

Mamie didn’t have a clue.

She tucked their son in as usual and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Sitting at her vanity, she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to put away Tammie’s card.

She’d been looking into the connection between Vince and her mother’s fall, but to prove anything, she needed real evidence. Guesswork wasn’t enough to take to the police.

She’d left her meeting with the lawyer feeling discouraged, and her mood hadn’t picked up since.

After blow-drying her hair, she turned around and saw Scott standing by the closet door. “Do you need to change?”

Scott didn’t answer. He walked right over. “Is your hair dry?”

He slid his fingers through her damp hair. “Still wet. If you sleep with wet hair, you’ll get a headache. Let me dry it for you.”

He picked up the hair dryer and gently pressed her down in front of the mirror.

Mamie was surprised, but she didn’t stop him.

Ten minutes later, Scott finished.

“Your hair’s dry now.”

Mamie gave a polite nod. “Thanks.”

They’d kissed before, but she still felt a little nervous around this man.

“You’re welcome.”

Mamie noticed he was still blocking her way.

“What are you doing?”

Scott’s dark eyes caught hers. “Mamie, do you really hate me that much? We just got married, and you’re already thinking about leaving me a second time?”