Claimed By The Arrogant Billionaire

Chapter 5

Eva's POV

Arriving at the white gate, Cruz parked the red Audi in front of the gate, and I asked, "How about the other houses? Are they all the same?"

"No. Houses in this White Estate are expensive. Only billionaires can afford to live here," Cruz replied calmly as he waited for the gate man to open the gate.

"So your wife is a billionaire? Then tell her to pay Jacob Stone for us?" I asked, and he laughed.

"It's easier said than done. Maddison is not a billionaire. Moreover, you incurred the debt. You should think of how to earn money to pay Jacob off before he comes to arrest you," Cruz said, starting the car and driving into the compound.

"Why would Jacob come to arrest me? I didn't steal from him or intentionally cheat on him. And where will I get work that pays me enough to cover a ten-million debt? At Almond Tech, they offered me a job with a salary of two hundred thousand. How many months would I have to work to pay Jacob?" I said, not wanting to mention Ethan Owen to my brother.

"Eva, you should have thought about all this. If you can't pay Jacob, you should go back and beg him. I'm sure he will forgive you and take you back. He loves you very much," Cruz advised, and I sighed as he turned off the car.

"Eva, Jacob did so much for you. Try to reach out and ask for his forgiveness. I'm sure he'll forgive you and accept you back. But I can't ask Maddison for any more help. It's enough that I helped you get a job at Almond Tech. I don't think she'll want to get involved in your scandal," Cruz said, and I nodded.

"It's fine. I'll find a way to reach out to Jacob later," I replied. Cruz nodded and added, "That reminds me. Maddison's younger brother, Noah, is home. You shouldn't get on their bad side." He unlocked his door and got out, and I followed.

The sunny wind bathed my head and blew against my slim body as I stepped out in my green midi dress and looked at the white duplex that loomed before me.

The last time I was here was one year ago, when Cruz and Maddison had just welcomed their son. Now I was here again.

Maddison looked down on my family because she considered us poor, but because Cruz loved her, he tolerated her behavior.

Ringing the doorbell, Cruz waited for someone to open the door, even though it was his own house.

The entrance door swung open, and a tall young man in a blue top and black jeans stood there, peering at us.

His eyes fell on me, and he smiled as Cruz and I entered the living room.

The young man resembled Maddison; I didn't need anyone to tell me who he was.

"Welcome, brother-in-law," he said.

"Yeah. Noah, this is my sister, Eva," Cruz introduced us, and I smiled at Noah. I had seen him once—on the day of Cruz and Maddison's wedding.

"I know, brother-in-law. You don't have to introduce us," Noah replied, his tone playful as his brown eyes shamelessly raked over my body.

Unable to hide his curiosity, Noah asked, "Why does Eva have hickeys all over her body? Or is it an allergy?"

"Noah!" Cruz's expression hardened.

Maddison strode downstairs, her steps slow as she peered at me. She wore a pink top and a short skirt with black slippers. Her long hair cascaded down her back.

"Cruz, why would you bring your sister here? Her scandal is the talk of the internet—that she cheated on her fiancé and was disowned by her parents—and yet you brought her here," Maddison's sharp voice cut through the air, and Cruz turned to face her.

"Babe, Eva didn't deliberately cheat on Jacob. They can still settle their differences. Just let her stay with us for a few days until she can find her way and sort things out with my parents," Cruz tried to explain, even though he was the man of the house.

"No," Maddison said sharply. "What do you want my friends, our family, and business partners to say? First, your sister cannot work with us at Almond Tech, because her scandal is all over the internet—that she refused to let her fiancé touch her, yet she secretly hooks up with any available rich man she can find," Maddison shouted, glaring at me.

"Babe! Eva is my sister. She is not that type of woman. She didn't intentionally agree to do it. Just let her stay here for a while," Cruz begged his wife on my behalf, but she refused.

"No, Cruz. I don't want your sister here with us. Let her find her own way or go back to Jacob Stone. She is not welcome. Didn't you see the news? That billionaire CEO, Jacob Stone, is demanding fifteen million from your family. Are you going to help Eva pay it? Let her leave!" Maddison shrieked, and I tried to speak.

"Sister-in-law—"

"Don't call me that. I am not your sister-in-law!" Maddison yelled, her eyes shooting daggers at me.

"I cannot be sister-in-law to a cheap slut like you. Get out of my house before you corrupt my son or sleep with my brother for money," she accused. My jaw dropped, and I stood speechless.

"What? Big sister, how can you accuse me of such a thing?" Noah said, laughing despite her anger.

"Who knows what Eva is capable of when she can't keep her eyes off rich guys," Maddison stated, her voice cold.

Cruz raised his voice at her.

"Babe, Eva is my youngest sister. She is not leaving this house if your brother stays. If you don't want my sister to stay, then your brother is leaving too," Cruz stated, refusing to let me leave. But I didn't like that they were quarreling because of me.

"It's okay, brother. I will go. You don't have to fight with your wife because of me," I said, but my brother shook his head.

"No, Eva. Maddison doesn't allow you or Elora to come here, but she allows her own siblings. Isn't that unfair?" Cruz asked, sadness laced in his voice, and I sighed.

"It's fine. I'll find a hotel to stay at until I can get an apartment," I replied, wanting to leave, but my brother stopped me.

"No. I said you're not leaving. Let Maddison try to throw you out. Let me see," Cruz insisted. Maddison stood speechless, peering at us.

"Come on, let me show you to the guest room," my brother insisted, but I shook my head.

"No, Cruz, let me go. You don't have to quarrel with your wife because of me," I said, but he shook his head.

"If I don't stand up for you, who will? You are my sister, and I won't cast you away just because you made a mistake. You helped me at my lowest. So if Maddison wants to end our marriage because of you, that's fine. She can send us out together," my brother said, his tone firm, and Maddison stood there, shocked.