I took a breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Dad, it's not that I'm being unreasonable. They crossed a line."
"Refusing to pay me back is one thing. But Jarvis took my money and spent it on gold chains and partying."
"When I called him out, he cursed at me. And Uncle took his side."
"I can let go of the fifty thousand. What I can't swallow is being treated like this."
Silence stretched across the line before my father let out a heavy sigh.
"Hailey, I know you've been wronged."
"Jarvis was spoiled rotten, and your uncle and aunt have lost all sense."
"But... they're still family."
"Your uncle said on the phone that if you actually go through with this lawsuit, he'll take the whole family to wail at Grandpa's grave."
"If word gets out, where does that leave us? The whole village will tear us apart."
My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms.
"Dad, don't listen to his nonsense."
"They're the ones in the wrong, not me. I could take this case anywhere and still be in the right."
"Please, just stay out of it. Let me handle this myself."
His voice turned pleading.
"Hailey, I'm begging you."
"If you need that fifty thousand urgently, I have my pension—I'll cover it."