Chapter 419

Refusal to Help

Harper huffed. “Mom said you need to come home. If you don’t, you’ll never see her again.”

Edward let out a sigh. “Fine. I got it.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go.” Harper sounded annoyed.

Edward took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady. “I need to grab something. Wait here.”

He turned and started walking toward the building.

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“Edward.” Arabella stopped him. She lowered her voice and quickly filled him in on the situation with Clark Group and the Johnstons.

Something told her Freya dragging him back home now had to be connected.

Edward’s eyes flickered with surprise for just a moment, then he nodded calmly. “Got it.”

Arabella trusted that he’d handle it. He knew what he was doing.

“I’ll be back in a minute. Just grabbing a jacket, then I’ll head over to the Macdonalds‘,” Edward said, then disappeared inside.

“Edward–wait for me!” Harper tried to follow, but the security guard blocked her again.

“Let go of me, you idiots! That’s my brother in there!” The guard didn’t even blink.

Harper whipped around to glare at Arabella. “Tell them to let me through. This isn’t your building–it’s my brother’s company. Who do you think you are?”

Arabella’s voice was cold. “Guess you haven’t learned your lesson yet, Harper. Keep yelling like that, and soon you won’t even be allowed to stand here.”

Harper’s face twisted with rage, but she clamped her mouth shut. She knew Arabella meant every word.

Arabella didn’t have the patience for Harper’s dramatics. She got in the car with Lucas and left.

A few minutes later, Edward came back out with his jacket. He glanced at Harper. “Get in.”

At his nod, the guard finally let her through.

Once they were in the car, Harper’s frustration boiled over, “Sometimes I seriously wonder if you were switched at birth too–like Arabella,”

Why did he actually care about Arabella, but treat her like she was nothing? She was his real sister.

Edward exhaled. “Harper. We were kids when the switch happened. That was on the adults. Why do you two hold so much against Arabella? What did she ever do to you? You’ve found your real parents, and you’re living a good life. You should be grateful. But what about Arabella? Have you ever even stopped to think about her?”

Harper snorted. “She’s not even a real Macdonald. She lived off this family for years–are you saying the Macdonalds owe her something?”

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Chapter 419 Refusal to Help

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That life–that comfort–should have been hers.

Edward’s face tightened. “You’re impossible.”

He didn’t say another word. Just gripped the wheel and drove.

Harper had never seen him like this–so closed off, so cold. It unsettled her.

She opened her mouth, then thought better of it and looked away.

When they got to Macdonald Villa, Edward walked straight into the living room.

“Why am I here?” He didn’t bother with pleasantries.

Freya frowned. “That’s how you talk to me?”

“If there’s nothing, I’m leaving.” He turned.

“Stop right there!” Freya’s voice rose. “Are you trying to kill me?”

Edward stopped, looked back. “Let’s not waste time. You didn’t send Harper to threaten me just to trade insults.”

Freya huffed, forcing herself to calm down. “Sit.”

Edward chose the farthest chair–a stiff single seater by the wall.

Freya bit back her irritation. She needed something from him, so she’d play nice. For now.

“Your uncle’s project is in trouble. I hear your company’s doing well. Transfer some funds to help him out.”

It was softer than before, but still sounded like an order.

“No.”

Just one word.

Before he’d even walked in, after what Arabella told him, Edward had already guessed this was coming. Still, part of him had hoped he was wrong.

He wasn’t.

“It’s a loan. He’ll pay it back when things turn around.” Freya’s patience was wearing thin

“No.” Edward’s voice was flat, cold. “My company’s struggling. You and my uncle are the ones who put my company in this mess”

Freya’s face went pale, “You-”

Harper cut in, indignant. “You’re really gonna let Uncle’s company fail?”

Edward didn’t flinch. “You didn’t seem to care when you were screwing me over.”

Funny how they wanted sympathy now.

Freya’s voice shook with anger. “You have no conscience. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be where you are today.”

Refusal to Help

Edward let out a short, humorless laugh. “You’re right. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am.” His eyes met hers, cold. “I’d be a hell of a lot better off.”