The Organ Bride's Revenge - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

"The whole Cathy and the brooch situation? That was part of my plan from the beginning," I said, keeping my tone casual.
Jasper narrowed his eyes, sizing me up. "What are you getting at? Are you seriously trying to con your way into marrying a rich guy like me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Believe it or not, not every woman is dying to be Mrs. Jasper Montclair. In fact, I'm not interested. The reason I did all this? I've been reborn."
His expression flickered—just for a second—before amusement took over. He arched a skeptical brow. "Reborn? Seriously?" A slow, mocking smirk spread across his face. "I knew you had guts, but now I'm starting to think you've lost your mind."
I exhaled, realizing there was no point in easing him into it.
"In my past life, the Montclairs sold me to you. You put me on that operating table, and I died from an infection." I leaned in slightly, watching his smirk vanish. "So this time, I made sure Cathy went after you first. Not just to dig her own grave, but for one thing—revenge."
Jasper let out a sharp laugh, like I'd just delivered the punchline to a joke.
"Revenge?" He shook his head, chuckling. "Are you hearing yourself right now? Cassandra, do you have any idea how insane you sound?"
I didn't flinch. "The reason you're using marriage to save your sister—who, by the way, isn't even related to you—isn't because you're some noble, selfless brother." I tilted my head, watching his amusement fade into wariness. "No, it's because you two share a special connection. Am I right?"
The laughter died.
His jaw tensed, fingers flexing at his sides.
"You're quiet now," I murmured. "Wonder why."
Jasper's eyes darkened. "Watch your mouth, Cassandra."
I gave him a faint smile. "Your sister—the one who's been locked up in that house for years—barely ever leaves. But she craves freedom. She loves standing by the fountain, letting the wind run through her hair."
His entire body went rigid.
I let the silence stretch before dropping the bomb. "Even though you two live on separate floors, there's something in her room, isn't there?"
His face paled.
"Shut up," he snapped, voice dangerously low. "Just shut the hell up."
I shrugged. "Just curious, Jasper. If I hadn't been reborn, how would I know any of this?"
He stared at me, gaze hard and unreadable. The weight of my words settled between us, thick and suffocating.
For the first time, he hesitated.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he exhaled, his voice dropping into something darker.
"So what if you've been reborn?" He took a slow step toward me. "I only wanted to give Eloise more donor options, but now that you've dug up all these secrets…" His tone turned lethal. "How could I ever let you go?"
The threat was unmistakable. The air crackled with danger.
But I stayed calm.
"Oh, relax, Jasper. Don't get ahead of yourself." I leaned back, keeping my posture loose. "I haven't even finished talking."
His brow furrowed.
"In my past life, you were still the polished, charming fiancé. You weren't this… aggressive," I mused. "But I do remember something."
I watched his expression closely. "You've been torn between two investments lately—Alderbridge Enterprises and Crescent Ventures, right?"
The tension in his face sharpened.
I had him now.
"Even though you're the richest man in the country, your assets are stretched thin," I continued smoothly. "You don't have as much liquid cash as people think."
Jasper didn't confirm or deny it, but his silence spoke volumes.
I smirked. "Here's the thing: if you pick the right investment, you won't just be the richest man in the country—you'll be the richest man in the world. You'll land on the Forbes Billionaires List, and your influence will explode. And guess what? The richer you are, the more options your sister has."
Jasper's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable. But I could feel the shift in the air—the doubt creeping in.
"Last time, you made the wrong call," I pressed. "And it cost you. But this time, I can tell you exactly which move to make."
Jasper let out a cold chuckle. "Let me guess. In return, you want me to let you walk away?"
I shook my head.
"No, I already told you. If you play this right, you'll own the world, and your sister will have access to the best donors out there. Letting me go is just the bare minimum."
I leaned forward, locking eyes with him.
"But I don't just want that."
I let the words hang before delivering the final blow.
"I want ten million dollars."
Jasper's brows lifted slightly.
For the first time, the tension in his expression wasn't hostile—it was calculating.
If I'd asked for nothing, he would've been suspicious.
But a deal worth billions?
Ten million was pocket change.
I watched the gears turn in his head as logic won out.
"You're sharp," Jasper admitted, a new respect in his voice. "Sharp enough to know exactly how to play this."
Seizing the moment, I pushed forward. "I don't hate you, Jasper. In my past life, you were actually decent to me. The infection that killed me? That was on me, not you. If I'd lived, you would've treated me well—kept me as your perfect little trophy wife forever."
I let that sink in before adding, "So don't get any ideas. I'm not here to ruin you. I'm just making sure I get what's fair."
Jasper studied me in silence.