Chapter 83

The sharp voice made Brandon lift his head suddenly, his hands curling into tight fists.

It was Alexia.

She had the guts to show up again. If she hadn't seduced Waylon, he wouldn't be in this disaster now.

Roger looked up and saw Alexia step in, the light behind her outlining her figure.

Ever since the divorce talk, she seemed to shine more each time he saw her. There was something different about her-stronger, sharper. Roger found himself watching her, unable to look away, which had never happened in the past.

And truth be told, he hated how his feelings had changed.

Alexia had slapped him three times in the courthouse, yet the only thing stuck in his mind afterward was the look in her eyes-hurt and furious.He couildn't get that out of his head.

Gloria quickly got up and stepped protectively in front of Brandon. "Alexia, what do you want?" she demanded, her tone sharp and defensive.

Alexia gave a cold smile. "I came to deal with Roger and Brandon." She threw a glance at Roger. "Where's Marilee? Isn't she usually glued to your side?"

Roger avoided her eyes. "Marilee had things to do.Not everyone is as free as you."

The truth was, Eleanor had told him not to bring Marilee home. He didn't want to risk upsetting his grandmother, sohe didn't argue.

When Eleanor saw Alexia, her usual cold face softened a little. She waved kindly. "Come sit,Alexia."

Alexia replied calmly, "Thanks, but I'll stand."

Eleanor looked a bit let down by her answer.

Brandon shoved Gloria aside and stormed toward her. "You've got some nerve showing up! I swear, I'll make you pay!"

But before he could get any closer, Roger stepped in and blocked him. "What the hell are you doing?"

Brandon, now even angrier, glared at Roger. "I should be asking you! Why are you stopping me from giving her what she deserves?"

Roger let out an annoyed sigh. "If anything happens to her, you'll lose your remaining fingers too."

He didn't support the idea of Allen going after Waylon for answers either.

When Brandon got kidnapped, Waylon had given Roger the heads-up to rescue him. If Waylon really meant harm, he wouldn't have sent any warning at all.

Both of Brandon and Alexia were kidnapped. If Brandon hadn't sold Alexia out and messed everything up, Roger could've flipped the situation and pressured the Black Tiger Gang to wipe Brandon's debt clean.

But sadly, Brandon was more of a burden than help.

Brandon let out a mocking laugh. "You're scared-even in our own territory! I thought you had guts,Roger. Clearly, I was wrong!"

Alexia smirked coldly. "Why so worked up, Brandon?Didn't losing two fingers knock some sense into you?Maybe Waylon should've cut off all of your fingers."

"Grandpa, are you hearing this? How can she talk like that?" Brandon exploded with rage. "She ruined me,and she still dares to mock me!"

"That's enough!" Allen tapped his cane hard on the floor, his tone tight with control as he looked at Alexia."Why are you here?"

Alexia's voice dripped with sarcasm. "I came to talk about the divorce terms. Roger wants to kick me out with nothing. Everyone says your family's known for being generous, but I guess that generosity doesn't extend to the women you cast aside."

"What? Roger's leaving you wwith nothing?" Eleanor's fury surged, her finger trembling as she pointed at Roger. "Is this how you treat her? What about all those promises you made?"

Roger's expression turned cold. "She signed the prenup herself. She wasn't supposed to get much from the start. And now that she has Waylon backing her, she doesn't need a dime from me. Sure, I cheated, but she's no saint either. I don't plan on giving her a cent."

Gloria added with a scoff, "Yeah, like you actually need the money. That outfit alone probably costs tens of thousands-it's a limited edition from some luxury brand. It looks to me like you're living quite comfortably. So why go after my son's money? lf you're strapped for cash, just hit up Waylon. Or are you saving up in case he dumps you one day and you end up with nothing? That would be a smart move-very clever of you."

Gloria had always had a sharp tongue. From the day Alexia married into the family, she became Gloria's favorite target-someone to mock and nitpick at every chance. While Gloria basked in the surface-level respect Alexia showed her as an elder, deep down, she never truly wished Alexia well.