Chapter 777:

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“I didn’t want to tell you,” he said, putting the toast down. “But… my investment, the one I was counting on, fell through. Because of the bad press.”

“What bad press?”

“The rumors!” Xander exclaimed. “Your friends, Aurora and that other one, spread rumors about me in the industry. Nobody will hire me because of the arrest record in Hong Kong. They found out about the fraud charges. I’m untouchable, Ximena.”

“Aurora wouldn’t do that,” Ximena said reflexively. “And the arrest was your fault.”

“Oh, wouldn’t she?” Xander sneered. “She cut your funding, didn’t she? She hates me. She wants us to fail. And the arrest? I told you, I was set up. But now I have a criminal record because of them. I can’t get a corporate job.”

He stood and walked behind her chair, massaging her shoulders. His grip was tight.

“But there is a way.”

“What way?”

“Aurora feels guilty,” Xander whispered in her ear. “I know these rich types. They act tough, but they care about their image. If you went to her humbly and told her we’re starving, she’d crack.”

𝖬𝗈rе 𝗇𝘰𝘃𝗲𝘭s о𝘯 𝗴a𝗅𝗻𝗈𝗏е𝘭𝘴.сom

Ximena stiffened. “You want me to beg?”

“I want you to claim what’s yours!” Xander said. “She owes you! You were friends for years. Just ask for a project. A small contract. Anything to get cash flowing. Do it for us. Do it for the family.”

“I can’t,” Ximena whispered. “I blocked her.”

Xander reached into his pocket and pulled out a burner phone, a cheap plastic flip phone.

“I anticipated that,” he smiled. “Use this. It’s a new number. She won’t know it’s you until she answers.”

Ximena stared at the phone. It felt like holding a grenade.

“Do it,” Mrs. Tate grunted from the couch. “Unless you want to lose the house.”

Ximena took the phone, her hands shaking, and dialed the number she knew by heart.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

“This is Aurora Vance.” The voice was crisp, professional, and achingly familiar.

Ximena squeezed her eyes shut. “Aurora… it’s me.”

A long, heavy silence followed.

“Ximena.” Aurora’s voice didn’t soften. It remained cool. “You’re calling from a burner.”

“Yes. Listen, Aurora. I know things ended badly. But the studio. Please. Just release the funds, or give me a small project. I’m… we’re struggling.”

She felt Xander breathing down her neck, urging her on.

“We?” Aurora asked. “Is he standing right there? Telling you what to say?”

Ximena flinched. “No. I’m alone.”

“You’re lying,” Aurora said. “I can hear the TV in the background. Ximena, listen to me carefully. I will not give Xander Tate a single cent. I will not fund his lifestyle. I will not pay for his mother’s cigarettes.”

“It’s for me!” Ximena cried. “It’s my house!”

“Then kick him out,” Aurora said ruthlessly. “Come to my office alone. With divorce papers. And I will give you everything. I will pay off your mortgage. I will fund your studio for ten years. But as long as that leech is attached to you, the vault is closed.”

“You’re cruel,” Ximena whispered.

“I’m consistent,” Aurora replied. “Call me when you’re free.”

Click.

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