Ricky, standing off to the side with a frown, chimed in, "Don''t go begging him for me. What I did was my fault, and I''ll face the music! Jail''s just jail. I''lle out tougher!" Selena gave him a light smack on the forehead. "Oh, hush!"


    Ricky''s good-looking face had a stubborn expression as he muttered, "Just don''t go asking him for anything!" Selena took a deep breath. She knew Ricky had never liked Everett as his inw because he could see Everett didn''t truly care for her.


    Everett married her but always made her feel small, even though she put on a brave face around him. Plus, Ricky grew up attending a fancy private school, rubbing shoulders with the kids of the elite. Those kids either judged their family for ''reaching above their status'' by getting close to the Bet family or gossiped about Everett''s flings. This only made Ricky more protective of Selena.


    Selena was one of the most cherished women in his life, someone he couldn''t stand to see mistreated.


    After getting Ricky home and warning him to stay out of trouble, Selena headed back to Joy''s residence. She pulled out her phone, opened the blocked list, and there was Everett''s number just sitting there.


    She remembered her bold words from that night and regretted burning bridges. It was always wise to leave some room for negotiation!


    After a moment''s hesitation, she unblocked his number and dialed. She didn''t expect Everett to pick up, but to her surprise, he answered almost immediately, catching her off guard.


    His cold, impatient voice cut through, "Did you call just to stay silent?"


    She was in disbelief. Oh, he really knew how to push her buttons!


    Selena swallowed hard, then spoke in a customer service tone. "Hey, Mr. Everett, I was just calling to see when we might finalize the divorce."


    Everett, apparently used to this question, replied in an even tone, "Be patient."


    Last time, he said he''d proceed judging from her behavior, but now he was just saying, ''Wait.''


    Clearly, he wasn''t going to make it easy. But that suited her just fine. With a grin, Selena said, "If a divorce isn''t on the table right now, Mr. Everett, I need a little favor!"


    Taken aback by her brazenness, Everett let out a small chuckle. "You''ve got some guts."


    She wasn''t asking for help; she was stating her right!


    "As long as I''m still your wife, I have every right to ask my husband for a little assistance, don''t I?" Selena pressed on with confidence. If they divorced, she''d lose those perks, but he was dragging it out! Everettughed in exasperation, but he was used to her shameless demeanor. He strolled over to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the view, "Alright, let''s hear it."


    Selena exined, "Ricky got into aFrom N?velDrama.Org.


    scrap with the Campbell kid, and


    now the kid''s in the hospital. His mother Sydney''s insisting on


    pressing charges. So, could you


    maybe have a word with them and


    see if they can agree to settle? We''re ready to meet any demands they might have."


    Regardless, starting a fight was wrong. The Bet and Campbell families had always had a friendly rtionship, with business ties and close interactions among the younger crowd. If Everett stepped in, Sydney would likely consider dropping charges.


    This was a minor issue for Everett, but after hearing her out, he stayed silent.


    Selena thought quickly, and added with a hint of ttery, "Mr. Everett, we''re family, and thick as thieves. If my cousin ends up in prison, it won''t look good for you too, right? If the tabloids catch wind, who knows what stories they might spin? It could tarnish your sterling reputation, couldn''t it?"