The Organ Bride's Revenge - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

The silence between us stretched uncomfortably until I finally leaned back in my chair with a casual shrug. "The only people I hate are my parents and sister, so relax, Mr. Sterling. A wealthy guy like you? You're practically untouchable to someone like me."
Jasper's gaze remained unreadable as he studied me. "Fine. Then tell me—what would you choose?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I lifted my phone just enough to tilt the screen toward him.
Money first. T.
His hesitation lasted less than a heartbeat. A few taps later, my offshore account pinged—$10 million richer.
Good. At least he knows how to play the game.
The second the transfer cleared, I met his eyes and gave him what he wanted.
Jasper leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You ever hear the saying 'All's fair in love and war'? Why can't I have you and the title of richest man in the world?"
I matched his smirk. "Because of this."
I slid a single, thin folder across the table.
Jasper's expression didn't so much as flicker as he picked it up. But as he read, his face darkened. His grip tightened, knuckles turning white.
No surprise there. That folder held everything—his secrets, the truth about Eloise, every dirty deal he'd ever buried. Not enough to land him in prison, but enough to ruin him.
One leak, and the media would feast. His rivals would pounce. The government would come sniffing.
I watched the muscle in his jaw twitch as reality sank in.
"These won't kill you," I said coolly. "But they'll destroy you. And Eloise? How long before she cracks under the pressure?"
Jasper's hands trembled slightly around the papers.
Before he could speak, I cut in. "I told you I've been reborn. You really think I'd come unprepared?" I tapped the folder lightly. "This is my insurance. If I die, it goes public. Every last page."
With a sharp growl, Jasper ripped the document in half. "You—"
I raised a hand, unfazed. "Relax." Then, calmly, I slid another file toward him.
His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"This," I said, watching him closely, "is my latest medical report."
His frown deepened as he scanned it—then froze.
I let the silence stretch before smiling slowly. "After being reborn, I made sure to do one thing." I leaned in, dropping my voice to a whisper. "I injected myself with HIV."
Jasper's head snapped up, face pale. His breath hitched.
I smiled sweetly. "I'm already infected. Still want my organs?"
For the first time since we'd met, Jasper Sterling was speechless.
He exhaled harshly, dragging a hand through his hair. "Fine! Damn it, you win." His voice was rough with frustration. "You're ruthless, I'll give you that."
I stayed quiet, waiting.
Jasper clenched his jaw, finally meeting my gaze. "I'll let you go." A pause. "But on one condition."
I didn't let him finish. "If I walk away, your secrets stay buried. You get time to clean up your mess. And—" I tilted my head, smile fading—"you'll make sure the Montclair family pays. Understood?"
Jasper's jaw tightened. Then—a single nod.
Without another word, he turned and stormed out.
The next day, I boarded a plane and never looked back.
Six months later, my phone rang. Jasper's name flashed on the screen—but the panic in his voice was new.
"Why?" he demanded, words rushed. "I held up my end! Why are you sabotaging me?!"
I leaned back, smirking. Even from halfway across the world, I'd kept tabs. His empire was crumbling.
"Sabotage?" I echoed, amused. "Jasper, I told you Crescent Ventures would make you the richest man alive. Did you pick it?"
Silence.
The kind that said everything.
I sighed. "You didn't, did you?"
I could practically hear his teeth grinding. "You knew I wouldn't listen," he spat. "You knew I'd choose Alderbridge!"
A soft laugh. "Obviously."
Jasper exhaled sharply, frustration boiling over. "This is on you. You played me!"
I didn't deny it. "Yep."
Another beat of silence.
Then, quietly, I added, "Funny thing? In my past life, you actually chose right."