Page 78 of Made For Ruin

Two million is a fraction of what that land is worth, and they know it. They're trying to take advantage of my situation, the debt thatDerrick'smistakes have saddled us with.

I take a long sip of water, trying to steady my nerves.

"I appreciate your interest," I say slowly, placing my glass down with a clink. "But the diner isn't for sale. It's my family legacy, and I intend to keep it that way."

The temperature at the table drops by several degrees.

Jessica and Adam exchange a look, something cold and calculating in their eyes.

"Hang on a second, Lainey," Derrick cuts in, his voice strained. "The Van Burens are offering us an incredible opportunity here."

Red-hot anger licks up my spine, chasing away the last of my nerves. How dare he try to ambush

"If you'll excuse me," I say tightly, standing so quickly my chair screeches against the floor. "I need a minute."

I don't wait for a response, just stride toward the restrooms on shaking legs, blood roaring in my ears. I barely make it around the corner before Derrick catches up to me, his fingers closing around my elbow.

"What the hell, Lainey?" he hisses. "Do you have any idea how many strings I had to pull to set this up?"

I wrench my arm from his grip, vibrating with fury.

“I don’t care how long it took you to set this up. What makes you think I would ever sell our family’s diner for a fraction of what it's worth?"

Derrick's expression softens.

"Lainey, I know you're sentimental about the diner. Believe me, I get it. It's where we grew up, where Dad built his dream from the ground up. But just think about what you could do with two million dollars. You could travel, go back to school, start a whole new life. Isn't there something you've always wanted to do, something you've put on hold to keep the diner going?"

I shake my head, my throat tight.

"The diner is what I want, Derrick. It's what I've always wanted. It's not just a building or a business. It's our family's heart and soul. Dad's legacy. How can you even think about selling it?"

Derrick runs a hand through his hair, frustration etched in every line of his face.

"Because I need this, Lainey. I really, really need this deal to happen."

A sick feeling settles in my gut as the pieces click into place. The desperation in Derrick's eyes, the way he's pushing so hard for me to sell.

"You're in debt again, aren’t you?”

Derrick's silence is all the confirmation I need. I let out a shaky breath, anger and disappointment warring in my chest.

"Lainey, please," Derrick pleads, desperation etched into every line of his handsome face. "You don't understand. Enzo is closing in. He wants his money, and he wants it now. I don't have a choice."

I stare at my brother in disbelief, my heart hammering against my ribs. The bustling sounds of the restaurant fade into the background as his words sink in.

"Are you serious right now? After everything we've been through, after all the sacrifices I've made to keep the diner afloat, you've gotten yourself mixed up with Enzo again?"

Derrick flinches at the sharpness in my tone, but I can't bring myself to feel guilty. Not when the future of our family legacy hangs in the balance.

"It's not like that," he insists, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. "I had a sure thing, Lainey. An investment that was going to pay off big time. But then the deal fell through, and now I'm in too deep."

I shake my head, anger and disappointment swirling in my gut like a toxic cocktail.

"Wake up, Derrick! Can't you see that Enzo is using you? He wants you to be in debt. He thrives on having power over people, on pulling their strings like some twisted puppet master."

Derrick's jaw clenches, a muscle ticking beneath his skin.

"You don't know him like I do. He's not all bad. He's just a businessman."

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