Shattered Then Healed By His Love (by Haley Blanton) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37 Did He Just Show Up

Chapter 37 Did He Just Show Up

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A child’s mind was, after all, simple; someone must have been whispering in his ear, twisting the story until he believed it had been her doing.

Just like back then, when he had stood beside Victoria and testified against her in court.

She could never forget the unwavering conviction in their eyes, father and son both. Still, there was one thing he’d said that rang true–what was done was done…

Her heart had already shattered once; now it had been reborn from the ashes.

“I don’t want the deposit anymore. Rent it to whoever you want.”

Natalie shot Zoey a flat look, then turned toward the door.

Luckily, the deposit hadn’t been much—just a thousand dollars.

“My dad stopped looking for other tenants the moment he heard you were taking the place,” Zoey said sharply. “Now, if we have to start over, it’s going to waste a ton of time. If you’re backing out, then you’ll cover one month’s rent plus my dad’s trouble and emotional damages -thirty thousand in total!”

Natalie froze mid–step.

She turned her head, her eyes sharp as they pinned Zoey. “Who taught you to do math like that?”

“I don’t care!” Zoey snapped, clearly bluffing now. “I’m telling you to pay me that much, or I’ll take you to court!”

A cold laugh escaped Natalie. “The contract hasn’t even been signed. Where exactly are you going to sue me?”

“If you don’t pay, I have plenty of ways to make you regret it.”

Her meaning clear, Natalie finally understood. Maybe this place had been a setup from the start; Zoey had never actually planned to rent it to her. Pretty clever little scheme, isn’t it?

Natalie was just about to respond when a low, frosty voice cut in.

“Quite the tone you’ve got there, Ms. Zoey. And how exactly were you planning to deal with

her?”

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10:57 Sat, Sep 27

Chapter 37 Did He Just Show Up

Every head turned toward the sound.

And when they saw the man walking in, everyone froze.

Natalie’s spine stiffened. Marcus.

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If his appearance at the orphanage had been a coincidence, there was no way this was one.

His arrival not only rattled Zoey but also wiped the smug look right off Victoria’s face.

No one in Brookvale understood better than her how powerful this man was.

You could cross anyone–except him.

And it was clear whose side he was on.

“Mr. Collins,” Victoria said quickly, her tone suddenly sweet and measured, “my friend was just joking with Ms. Foster. She’s a little… straightforward; she probably just wanted to push for a quick deal. She never actually intended to make things difficult for Ms. Foster.”

Natalie almost rolled her eyes at the performance but held it back.

Marcus let out a cold, amused laugh and turned his gaze on Zoey. “If it was just a joke, then return her deposit.”

The words were barely out before Natalie had to fight the urge to laugh. Power was power, after all; and sharp, too.

Not only was he refusing to let them take advantage of her, but now he was making sure she got her deposit back.

“Mr. Collins, you’re a businessman yourself,” Zoey said, keeping her tone light. “You know deposits are non–refundable when there’s no deal. Granted, it’s not a lot of money, but still—”

“Even a small amount is still money,” Marcus cut her off smoothly.

Natalie couldn’t hold it in this time; a laugh slipped out.

The flash of amusement on her face only fueled Zoey’s anger, but when she met the cold, razor–edged look in Marcus‘ eyes, her bravado crumbled,

Her voice shrank to a murmur. “Fine. Since Mr. Collins himself is asking, I’ll return the thousand dollars.”

Natalie hadn’t expected it to be resolved so easily, let alone that she’d actually get her money

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