Divorced, But Queen - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

Nathan had started the fight, but it had been in defense of a female student who'd been bullied. He was in the right.
Aria looked at Valerie. "So, it was mutual fighting?"
Valerie nodded. "You could say that."
Aria then glanced at Tavion's leg. "Is his leg really broken?"
Valerie hesitated. "The school doctor said the bone's fine, but Tavion says it hurts."
Maelis chimed in, hands on her hips, "Your school doctor's downplaying it. My son's leg is definitely broken. You'd better pay up so we can take him to the hospital."
Her wide hips bumped the dean, who subtly moved away to avoid the conflict.
Aria gave a slight nod and turned her attention to the other person in the room. "And what about the skinny guy?"
The "skinny guy," Leofric Morvaine, scowled. "My name's Leofric Morvaine."
He didn't appear to be injured, except for his right hand, which was bandaged.
Valerie spoke up again. "Leofric is the top student at Stonemere High. He came here to represent his school in a basketball competition. During the fight, he accidentally sprained his hand."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like an accident."
"Shut up!" Elric Morvaine cursed angrily, his cheek muscles twitching with fury. "My son wouldn't have been hurt if that little brat hadn't started the fight!"
Aria, not yet in her twenties, wasn't even acknowledged by Elric.
Seeing her sitting there only fueled his anger. Without a second thought, he reached out to pull her up.
"What are you doing?" Nathan was quick to act, grabbing Elric's arm and throwing it aside. "Why get physical?"
Seren Morvaine quickly stepped in, grabbing her husband's arm. "Don't act impulsively. We're here to resolve this, not escalate it."
Elric, embarrassed, shook off Seren's grip with force. "Don't tell me what to do! All you ever do is cry. Just shut up and stay out of it!"
Leofric hurried over to support his mother, lips pressed tightly together, his eyes dark with frustration.
The tension in the room thickened.
Aria, unfazed, extended a finger and pushed Nathan aside, moving straight to the point. "How much compensation are you asking for?"
"Ten million dollars," Thorne said, his face calm, though his trembling lips betrayed his excitement.
Nathan exploded. "Ten million? Why not just rob a bank?"
Thorne snorted. "My son's injury is the worst. The medical bills and hospital fees are already going to be a lot. His leg's ruined, and his life's ruined. Ten million isn't too much to ask."
Aria nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. Ten million isn't too much."
The eyes of the Morvaines glimmered with greed.
Nathan's face twisted in anger. "You've lost it!
"Aria, if you're not going to handle this properly, then leave! What are you even doing here?"
If ten million was paid, his parents wouldn't blame Aria. He'd take the heat.
Micah cut in. "Mr. Saxon has left this matter entirely to Ms. Saxon, Mr. Nathan. Please step aside."
Nathan shot Aria a glare that could pierce through steel. "I'll handle my own business. I don't need her here. She can leave!"
Micah grabbed Nathan's arm, pulling him aside. "Sir, don't disturb Ms. Saxon."
Nathan seethed, "You actually listen to her?"
He tried to break free from Micah's grip, but he failed.
"Can you call the shots? When is the ten million coming?" Thorne pressed eagerly, nearly unable to contain his greed.
Elric's excitement grew. He was already calculating the payout in his mind.
Aria smiled faintly. "I can give you ten million, but how do I know your son's leg is really that bad? What if you're trying to scam me?"
Nathan exploded again. "Are you stupid? They're just trying to scam you!"
"Micah, he's too noisy," Aria ordered.
"Understood, Ms. Saxon." Micah turned to Nathan, threatening, "Mr. Nathan, if you don't quiet down, I'll have to cover your mouth. I didn't wash my hands after using the restroom earlier."
Nathan froze in anger.
Elric sneered. "I'll bring you a certificate of injury."
With ten million on the line, faking a certificate was easy.
Aria glanced at Tavion's leg, a small smile curling on her lips. "Ten million's no problem, but with an injury this severe, I'm guessing amputation's in order, right?"