I took a breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Dad, it's not that I'm being unreasonable. They crossed a line."
"Refusing to pay me back is one thing. But Jarvis took my money and spent it on gold chains and partying."
"When I called him out, he cursed at me. And Uncle took his side."
"I can let go of the fifty thousand. What I can't swallow is being treated like this."
Silence stretched across the line before my father let out a heavy sigh.
"Hailey, I know you've been wronged."
"Jarvis was spoiled rotten, and your uncle and aunt have lost all sense."
"But... they're still family."
"Your uncle said on the phone that if you actually go through with this lawsuit, he'll take the whole family to wail at Grandpa's grave."
"If word gets out, where does that leave us? The whole village will tear us apart."
My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms.
"Dad, don't listen to his nonsense."
"They're the ones in the wrong, not me. I could take this case anywhere and still be in the right."
"Please, just stay out of it. Let me handle this myself."
His voice turned pleading.
"Hailey, I'm begging you."
"If you need that fifty thousand urgently, I have my pension—I'll cover it."
"Just let it go. Think of it as paying for peace."
"Qingming Festival is in a few days. We'll be going back to pay respects. If things get too ugly, how am I supposed to face your grandfather?"
That was my father—a man who would rather suffer in silence than confront anyone.
But his constant yielding had only made my uncle's family push harder every time.
"Dad, I don't want your money."
"And please don't worry about this anymore. I know what I'm doing. I won't put you in an impossible position."
"Get some rest. Take care of yourself."
Before he could say another word, I forced myself to hang up.
I walked to the window and gazed out at the city lights glittering across the night. My resolve hardened with every breath.
You want to play dirty? Fine. Don't blame me for playing to win.
Those eight houses—I had originally planned to honor Grandpa's wishes and give half to my uncle's family.
After all, Grandpa's final wish was to see the brothers live in harmony.
But that was conditional—they had to deserve that bond.
Now it was clear: those eight replacement homes? They wouldn't see a single one.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled to a number I'd saved long ago—Tyler Lambert, Notary Attorney.