Niamh’s eyes went wide, but Lana just shrugged with a look that said she’d given up.
“Look, just because I’m laid–back most of the time doesn’t mean I’m an idiot. If you hadn’t given them anything, do you really think Elmer’s mother would’ve let you off the hook?”
Even bringing it up got Lana riled.
“It was never your fault Elmer had that car accident! You weren’t even behind the wheel–so why should you be the one stuck with the medical bills?”
The more Lana thought about it, the more indignant she became, her words tumbling out in defense of Niamh.
“You never told me how much you gave them, but I know you. There’s no way it was just a few thousand–you must’ve shelled out tens or even hundreds of thousands at least… Now that you’re in a tight spot, just tell them to hold off for a while! It’s not like Elmer’s family can’t afford it…”
Lana honestly thought she was being perfectly reasonable.
Niamh just smiled faintly, saying nothing.
The truth was, what she’d given Elmer’s family wasn’t tens or even hundreds of
thousands.
It was ten million a year.
Without the dividends she got from FY, she could never have managed it.
Right before she left for Blackspire, Elmer’s mother had called, demanding she double the amount to twenty million a year, paid in two installments.
Which meant that in just a few days, Niamh would have to wire another ten million to Elmer’s mother.
Once that was done, her studio would have no choice but to file for bankruptcy.
Niamh didn’t say much more about Elmer, and Lana, picking up on her reluctance, let it go and switched topics, soon launching into another rant about Jonathan.
The next morning, Niamh and Lana slept well past sunrise, sprawled out on the floor. Thankfully, the underfloor heating kept them from catching a chill.
Lana had taken the day off, wanting to help Niamh clear her head.
14:30
Chapter 339
Staying cooped up inside would only make things worse.
But Niamh insisted on taking care of business first.
With Lana in tow, she headed for the courthouse.
But before she could even file for bankruptcy, the bank had already beaten her to the punch and filed for a court–ordered liquidation.
When Niamh and Lana arrived at her studio, the bank’s collections manager was already there with a notary, taking inventory of her assets.
“Well, well, look who it is.”
A voice dripping with mockery sounded behind them.
Niamh and Lana turned around to see Marina striding toward them, flanked by Lily
and Olive, her nose in the air.
Compared to Niamh, who looked pale and worn out, Marina was the picture of health, cheeks flushed, practically glowing with satisfaction.
“If it isn’t the world–famous designer Niamh–featured on the cover of Shine magazine, no less! But look at this… your studio’s under lock and key now, huh?”
“Exactly!” Lily chimed in, her tone saccharine and cruel. “So much talent, but a little infidelity here and there, a couple of flings while married–how does that lead to bankruptcy and a forced liquidation?”
Olive joined in, her voice sharp. “Where are all those big shots you slept with, huh? Not one of them stepping up to help you?”
Lana was ready to slap both of them, and would have, if Niamh hadn’t held her
back.
“Darius!” Marina called out, making her way to the collections manager.
“Can’t believe we’re running into each other here.”
Darius’s eyes lit up
school.
when he saw her–he’d been a year ahead of Marina in middle
Niamh watched as Marina cozied up to Darius, and it didn’t take a genius to guess she had her eye on something in the studio.
Sure enough, everything else was seized, but when it came to her design sketches, Darius handed them all straight to Marina–every single page.
“You can’t give those to her,” Niamh protested firmly. “Those sketches are
14:30
Chapter 339
intellectual property–they’re intangible assets and should be valued and auctioned off.”
Darius just sneered, shoving Niamh aside without hesitation.
intellectual property–they’re intangible assets and should be valued and auctioned
off.”
Darius just sneered, shoving Niamh aside without hesitation./
Chapter 340
