Chapter 3The Price of a Mistress

Although he is the group CEO, evidence of favoritism towards his mistress should be worth a lot.

The next second, his phone rang.

Julian hastily grabbed the agreement.

"I'll take this to read. We'll discuss details tomorrow."

"Okay. Hope you get what you wish for."

That night, sleep was impossible.

Custody of my son.

Direction of the future.

Everything was unknown.

But I understood one thing: the father-son bond cannot be broken.

I can protect wealth for my son, but I can't give him the future he wants.

I know everyone would advise me to work hard, fight for a bright future for my son, and make the scumbag regret.

But the reality is I am almost forty.

My best youth was dedicated to this family.

Now, one sentence from him overturned my entire decade.

When the sky turned pale, Julian sent a message:

"Joanna, can you get to City Hall by 9? Let's negotiate details in person."

Sent at 4:58 AM.

He really didn't want to wait a minute longer.

I opened my swollen eyes a slit.

Staring at that sentence for a long time.

I replied one word:

"Okay."

Dealing with that Ivy League woman taught me a lesson:

Except for the mother, no one truly wants custody.

So from the start, I couldn't show any desire.

I wanted Julian to willingly push our son back to me.

When I arrived at City Hall, the two were waiting.

"You're finally here."

The man stood up, pulling out a chair for me habitually.

"About the house... I think, the big house has nearly $2 million in mortgage left, you can't afford it. So you can have the small apartment, plus $500,000 compensation. Enough for you and Leo."

He paused.

"Vivian is still young. It's unfair for her to take care of Leo right away. Besides... we will have our own children."

I looked at their hands tightly clasped under the table and understood instantly.

He wasn't afraid of my threat.

This recording couldn't directly prove embezzlement or conflict of interest.

Her promotion could have countless explanations.

For my son, I didn't dare make a scene at his company.

So, he regained control.

I took a deep breath, feigning weakness:

"The big house is mine, and you pay off the mortgage. That's my bottom line."

Hearing this, Julian looked troubled.

"Joanna, most of my cash and bonuses are in company stock options. The industry is bad, cashing out now means losing half the value... Mom's illness two years ago took a lot of my money. I really can't do it now."

"But! Leo is my heart. I promise I won't skimp on child support. Name a number, if I can do it, I will."

Looking at this face I once loved deeply, now full of calculation, I laughed lightly.

They looked at me confused.

"What are you laughing at?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I took a printed list from my bag.

I looked up at the Ivy League woman.

"Miss Vivian, you heard him. The way a man cries poverty to his old love might be the reality you face one day."

"He says he has no money, I believe him. But as long as this joint debt exists, he and I will be bound forever."

"So the only one who can solve this problem is you."

The woman frowned.

"Me?"