Demon CEO's Hidden Love: Mr Grayson Stole Me From My Abusive Husband-Chapter 172: A Five Million Dollar Dowry

The sound of water gushing into the sink barely drowned out the sound of Cassie’s heavy panting. She raised her watery gaze from the pills next to her phone, to her blood stained lips hung in her reflection.

"Damn kid." She hissed, furiously wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

After a rigorous cleansing, she picked up her vibrating phone and brought it to her eyes. On sight, she picked up the call and placed the phone between her ear and shoulder, whilst her hands got to work, straightening her clothes.

"I’ve been calling you for days! How dare you ignore me?" She lashed out at the person on the other side.

Giving no room to answer she went on, "Tell me you’ve fixed this mess with the degree, I can’t have people talking shit about my reputation any longer." She said.

A low grunt sounded, "Shit’s hit the fan. They’re having a thorough sweep at the university, trying to catch the person who falsified your degree." His tone lowered into a loud whisper, "If I get caught it’ll be all over for me."

Cassie frowned, "I don’t care about that. I’m talking about clearing my name!"

"I don’t think you understand the situation you’re in. Listen up, there is absolutely nothing me or anyone else can do for you! I’m only calling because I need some money to save up."

"Money?" She scoffed, wiping her hands against her clothes, "Do you think I’m going to give you a dime? After you let someone expose me?"

In turn her contact scoffed, "You have no choice. I need some security in case I get singled out and need to skip town. And if you think for a second that I won’t take you down with me, then you have another thing coming."

Giving her no room to insert, he ended the call and followed up with a text message, comprising of his account details and an alarming amount.

Cassie immediately tried to call back, but he didn’t answer. Frustrated, she raised her phone and tried to throw it, but a sharp pain in her abdomen prevented her from doing so.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" She cursed, wrapping an arm around her stomach.

She held onto the sink, taking deep breaths, "When is this pain going to end?!" She gritted her teeth, wondering why the medicines still hadn’t taken effect.

Holding that thought, her phone vibrated, immediately, she unlocked it, hoping it was her insider at the university. Unfortunately, when she looked at the screen, she saw the notification of the start of filming for Brooke’s movie.

Cassie’s eyes lit with rage, she clenched her jaw, staring at the article,"That bitch. This is all her doing..."

When Mallory returned home, she was met by her mother and Vance, who were surprised to see her back so early.

"Why are you here? Did your date leave early what did you do to drive him off?" Amanda bombarded her with questions the second she stepped into the villa.

Mallory balled her fists, the image of the man who looked to be the same age as her father popped into her mind. Goosebumps splattered across her skin, and an irksome look played in her eyes.

"Hey," Vance called out, pulling her by the elbow. "Your mother’s taking to you!"

Mallory narrowed her eyes. "Let me go Vance, this has nothing to do with you."

He chuckled, "But I told you Mallory, a marriage is all you’re worth to this family, so don’t be discouraged with your date. He was the only one willing to meet with you, even after the money we were offering." He taunted.

Mallory clicked her tongue, she turned to her mother who hadn’t said a meaningful thing the entire time. "And you’re okay with this? With having a man no older than your husband trying to marry your daughter?"

Amanda pinched her temples, "You’re no Anna Grayson, you don’t have any features that would attract a man of a higher caliber. But don’t worry, I hear he’s sickly, in a decade or maybe even less, he will be dead, and you will inherit his estate." Her mother explained, stepping into her space.

She peeled Vance’s hands off her and rested both her hands on her shoulders. Leaning in, she said closely into her ear. "Think of your future. You don’t have any life skills to survive on your own, and we can’t take care of you forever. Marrying is your only option."

Mallory shook her head. "I can design! Aunt Rachelle has taught me so much. Just give me a year or two and I’ll be out of your hair."

Vance rolled his eyes, "And whose money will you use to start up this business? Theirs? Isn’t that a bit too much?"

Mallory blinked twice, "Mom?" She turned to Amanda, "We’re not short of money are we? So why would I not depend on the family?" She questioned.

Amanda looked at Vance with contempt on her face, it seemed as though he had gone and said something that she didn’t want him to.

In response, she dry coughed, "Your cousin is right. You can’t expect your father and I to hold your hand through everything. You’re too weak to handle a business, and we’re not willing to throw our money away to watch you fail." Her grip on Mallory’s shoulders tightened.

"Mom, stop you’re hurting me-"

"If you know what’s best for you, you’ll quickly find a man to latch onto, a rich man, who would keep you happy and who knows, maybe even sponsor the foolish dream you have." Amanda lectured, the corners of her mouth lifted into a grin.

But Mallory was pissed, she peeled her mother’s grip and turned to face her. "My dreams aren’t foolish, it’s this family! You won’t support my dreams, but you’re willing to offer a five million dollar dowry just to get me married off!" She revealed, her shoulders raised in intense rage.