CHAPTER 554: CHAPTER 554: HUSH MONEY

"Sweetie, be honest with Dad, how much money did the old witch give you?"

Mr. Price started probing Leon’s mother, thinking that if the dowager gave her a lot of money, he would ask for a bigger share for Lucas since Jackie is his real grandson. The money in Jackie’s hands is truly in the hands of the Price family.

Although Leon’s mother is his daughter, she married into the Kane family, so she took the Kane surname and became one of them.

Mr. Price was very "clear-headed".

"Huh? Dad, why are you asking this?"

"Oh, nothing much, just wanting to share in your happiness. Quickly tell Dad, how much did she give you?"

"This..."

Leon’s mother hesitated, feeling she couldn’t contain her excitement. Such a joyous matter; she couldn’t share it with Leon and could only share it with Mr. Price. But what kind of person is Mr. Price? He’s someone whose eyes sparkle at the sight of money, ever demanding. She only wanted to give Mr. Price two billion and had no intention of giving more.

"What? You ungrateful girl, keeping such things from Dad? Do you think Dad is a thief in your eyes? Tell Dad! Would I go to your house to steal money?"

"Dad, what are you talking about? I didn’t think that."

"You definitely did. If not, why won’t you tell me?"

Leon’s mother couldn’t reason with the meddlesome Mr. Price, who never talked sense and only twisted logic. If she continued speaking with him, he’d bring up her childhood incidents and scold her for being unfilial.

"I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, fifty-two billion. Dad, satisfied now?" Leon’s mother no longer wanted Mr. Price to be on her case, so she continued, "Dad, I can only give you two billion, the rest of the money is for Leon. When the dowager gave it to me, she specifically instructed that it was for Leon, and I can’t misuse a penny."

Mr. Price widened his eyes in surprise, disbelieving Leon’s mother. Not use a penny? She immediately transferred two billion to him?

Leon’s mother, being such a miser, got fifty-two billion and only wanted to settle with scraps?

"Sweetie, I’m asking you, do you really consider me your dad?"

Mr. Price’s tone suddenly dropped.

"Dad, what do you mean by this?"

Leon’s mother’s heart skipped a beat.

"You say."

"Of course, you’re my dad. If I don’t consider you my dad, who else would I?"

"Alright then, transfer another twenty billion."

Leon’s mother was stunned, almost dropping the phone from her hand.

Leon’s mother couldn’t believe Mr. Price would be so greedy, making such outrageous demands for twenty billion.

He was more terrifying than a vampire.

Leon’s mother suddenly regretted getting carried away after receiving the money and promptly transferring two billion to Mr. Price.

"Impossible."

Leon’s mother took a deep breath and refused.

"Hmph." Mr. Price, now angry, said, "You speak nicely of considering me your dad, yet actually, you don’t at all! Don’t think I don’t know; the old witch gave that money to you. If she wanted to give it to Leon, she’d have done it directly. Why go through you?"

"You’re just stingy. Having received such a large sum, you can’t even help out your own family. The Kane family is so wealthy, and the Kane Group is massive, look at the Price family now. In such a situation, we have to ask for your charity for a few billion; does that make any sense? You give Leon fifty billion, which is neither here nor there for him, yet you refuse to give twenty billion to the Price family? I’ve truly raised an ungrateful child."

Hearing Mr. Price’s scolding over the phone made Leon’s mother feel cold and shudder; tears began falling rapidly.

"Dad, I’ve already given plenty to the Price family. Why can’t you all be satisfied?"

"Plenty? How much have you given to the Price family? Can you even say it’s plenty? Look at my old comrade’s daughter, Melody’s family. She married worse off than you, only had one house in Ravenswood, and even forced her husband to put it under her brother’s name. When he refused, she divorced and managed to get the house for her brother’s marriage, renting with her kids afterward."

"That’s someone who’s truly dedicated to her family. And you? Kane Group has so much wealth, and you only spare a few billion for the family. Now you have fifty billion, and I ask for twenty billion, yet you refuse. You can’t compare to Melody. Both daughters, how did I end up with an ungrateful child like you? It’s a sin!"

Mr. Price cried and fussed over the phone.

Leon’s heartbroken mother couldn’t listen any longer and hung up the phone, squatting down and crying with her face in her hands.

Soon after.

Mr. Price called again.

Leon’s mother didn’t answer.

Mr. Price sent a message apologizing, leaving Leon’s mother momentarily stunned. When he called again, she picked up.

"Sweetie! It’s Dad’s fault; my tone earlier was a bit heavy. Don’t take it to heart!"

"No."

Leon’s mother thought Mr. Price realized his mistake and felt a bit moved.

Then Mr. Price continued.

"Sweetie, well... I know the Kane Group faced issues, and you bribed that Hong guy..."

Lucas whispered in Mr. Price’s ear: "Harrison Horn."

Mr. Price continued, "Right, that manager called Harrison Horn, which caused the Kane Group’s financial disruption..."

Leon’s mother’s face turned drastically: "Dad, what are you talking about?"

Mr. Price chuckled, "Lucas told me everything, Sweetie; you don’t need to hide it from me. Though I may be old, I’m not senile yet."

The feeling of being moved shattered Leon’s mother’s heart. Her eyes swelled with tears, her voice choked: "Dad, what exactly do you and Lucas want?"

Mr. Price laughed, "Twenty billion, Lucas and my hush money."

Leon’s mother’s fingers tightly gripped the phone, too angry to speak, thinking Mr. Price truly knew his fault but realized the apology was just a ruse for her to answer, so they could continue asking for money.

"Fine, I’ll give you twenty billion, and from now on, we’re done. I’m not your daughter anymore, and whatever happens, don’t come to me again."

Leon’s mother was resolute this time.

"Sweetie, don’t be like this. I do this all for the Price family; in time, when the Price family prospers, won’t it be your honor too? In case the Kane Group collapses, Lucas could be your support."

"With Leon around, the Kane Group will never fall."

Leon’s mother said firmly, hanging up the phone and transferring twenty billion, collapsing onto the couch, exhausted.

About five minutes later, another call came.

"What? Ivana was taken back by Leon? Then... then..."

"I’m really sorry, Mrs. Kane, those idiots exposed you as well. President Kane will likely seek you out, you should start preparing."