SWNOVELS Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Chapter 8 Twenty Million Dollars
Ophelia furrowed her brow, rendered speechless.
Just hours ago, she thought she knew Osborne well.
But now, seeing him in this frenzied state, surrounded by groaning guards on the ground, she realized he was no longer the timid man she once knew.
Before, he wouldn’t have dared to break into the Caldwell Manor alone, let alone strap himself with explosives to force her into a divorce settlement.
Osborne was a different man now.
“Why has he become so unhinged?
Could it be that he actually loves me this much? Is the shock of our divorce driving him mad?” Ophelia wondered, sensing a possible advantage.
She softened her tone. “Osborne, I know you’ve been treated unfairly. The decision to leave you with nothing was made by The Wise Order, not me. In truth, I still have feelings for you.
“Let’s make a deal. I’ll order the people in the hospital to leave now, and you can put down the detonator. We can talk things through.
Chapter 8 Twenty Million Dollars “Perhaps we can find a better solution.
“I… I don’t really want to divorce you.”
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Ophelia’s expression softened, but to Osborne, it felt insincere and revolting.
“You don’t need to pretend,” Osborne sneered coldly.
“You might not know me, but I know you very well. Your acting is pitiful! First, get the people out, then give me a fair divorce settlement. Otherwise, we’ll both go to hell together!
“You’re the heir to a wealthy family, with control over billions of dollars, and hold such a prestigious status. I’m just an orphan, a commoner, without power or influence. It wouldn’t be a loss for me to go to hell with you!”
“You!”
Ophelia clenched her teeth, her expression a mix of anger and frustration.
She felt stifled, overwhelmed by a deep sense of powerlessness.
She had thought she could easily control the situation, but now she realized Osborne had been in control all along.
Once regarded as worthless in her eyes, Osborne now held absolute sway in their confrontation.
In fact, he was single–handedly challenging the entire Caldwell
Chapter 8 Twenty Million Dollars
family.
Ophelia was shaken.
What had transformed Osborne into such a formidable
opponent after their divorce?
Did she have any means left to turn the tables?
Did she really have to pay him the divorce settlement?
Ophelia felt powerless.
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At least for today, with Osborne strapped with explosives, ready to descend into hell with her at any moment, she had no other choice.
She didn’t dare to bet on him not detonating the bomb, and she certainly didn’t want to die.
She had just become the heiress and hadn’t yet enjoyed wealth and power.
With these thoughts, Ophelia finally relented.
Through clenched teeth, she conceded, “Alright, fine. I agree. I’ll offer you a divorce settlement!
“We can draft a new divorce agreement. On behalf of the Caldwell family, I’ll compensate you with two million dollars for the divorce!”
Chapter 8 Twenty Million Dollars
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Though it fell short by a long shot, only two million dollars compared to the ten million dollars Osborne needed to pass the test, she had yielded. Now, it was all about negotiations.
Osborne let out a sigh of relief, but his laughter was cold. “Two
like some million dollars? Are you trying to toss me away beggar?
“I’ve given three years of my life to your family, enduring humiliation and insults. Is that what you think it’s worth? Well, maybe I should just blow us all up!”
With that, Osborne raised the bomb remote, threatening to press the button.
Ophelia paled. “Stop!
“How much do you want then? A hundred million dollars is out of the question! You know, even as the Caldwell family’s heiress, I can’t decide on such a huge sum. There’s The Wise Order
above me!
“If you insist on it, go ahead and detonate the bomb.”
After Ophelia spoke, Osborne pretended to think it over.
He knew the Caldwell family’s situation well enough. Ophelia couldn’t possibly produce a hundred million dollars in cash for him. Demanding such an exorbitant amount was just a tactic to start negotiations.
It was like asking for a window in a wall and facing objections,
Chapter 8 Twenty Million Dollars
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but proposing to tear down the entire roof made everyone agree to the window.
If Osborne had asked for ten million dollars upfront, he would have never gotten it. But by aiming for a hundred million dollars, the Caldwell family would agree to pay ten million dollars, maybe even
more.
At this moment, Osborne wasn’t in a hurry as he held all the cards.
After some back and forth, they finally struck a deal.
The Caldwell family would compensate Osborne with twenty million dollars.
It was five times less than what he had initially asked for but twice as much as what the Godfather’s first test required.
Osborne seemed satisfied, though he feigned a look of loss, asking Ophelia to draft the new divorce compensation agreement.
Not long after, twenty million dollars was deposited, and he finally relaxed.
He had done it!
He had passed the Godfather’s first test as the heir!