Chapter 10
My father was the first to break the suffocating silence in the room, his tone thick with forced geniality. “Oh, Clarisse, I’m so proud of your kids–they’ve achieved so much! Come on now, we’re all family here, aren’t we? Let’s stop clinging to the unpleasantness of the past. Just let bygones be bygones. Your kids are thriving -why waste time dwelling on old grudges? Don’t you think so?”
Before I could open my mouth to respond, Genevieve retaliated with sharp precision, cutting through the charade like a blade. “Sorry, but let’s not rewrite history here. You threw Mom out and even signed legal documents severing all ties with her. We’re not your grandchildren, so stop pretending we’re some big happy family. Also,” she
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added, her tone growing icier, “I’ve uncovered some serious quality control issues in PowerCore Dynamics‘ products. I’ve already submitted samples and a detailed report to the authorities. Brace yourself for what’s coming.”
“What?!” he sputtered, his voice cracking under the weight of disbelief. “You’ve already ruined me once, and now you aim to destroy PowerCore Dynamics too?”
The clink of Lachlan’s knife and fork against his wine glass rang sharply through the hall, reclaiming the room’s attention. My three children rose from their seats, their glasses raised high. Together, they offered heartfelt birthday wishes to me, their warmth and sincerity filling the space with a gentle glow.
Their words brought a flush of joy to my cheeks, stretching my smile so wide it
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made my face ache. The Griffins and the Hawkesworths, on the other hand, sat stiffly in their seats, their expressions frozen in an awkward limbo, unsure of how to respond.
Just when I thought the evening had reached ⚫ its emotional peak, Juniper pulled me into
the corner, his voice low and pleading. “Please, I’m begging you–ask Mr. Greer to show us mercy. Just one word from you, and he’ll let Griffergy Tech go. Our stock has crashed to rock bottom, and we’ve sunk everything into overpriced land and desperate attempts to win over clients. We’re on the brink of collapse!”
I yanked my arm free, my voice steady but layered with years of bitterness. “Do you remember back then? You accused me of trying to kill you with peanuts. You knew your dad was cheating on me with Eloise, and when I asked for half of our marital
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assets during the divorce, I asked for one thing–just one thing–from you. A single word of support. It wouldn’t have changed the outcome, but it would have meant something. Did you say it?”
His gaze faltered, the weight of my words. bending him slightly forward. “It’s been so many years,” he murmured, deliberately changing the subject. “Can’t you just let it go? Mom, I’m desperate! If Griffergy Tech collapses again, Juno’s in–laws will treat her like dirt. We’re your children too!”
I met his imploring eyes with a cool, unyielding stare. “Then let’s wait a few years,” I said evenly, “and when the tables have turned, I’ll come to you and ask if you can just let it go. Let’s see what you say then.”
Lachlan wasn’t done delivering blows.
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er
UsUsing a shell company, he quietiletly acqui GiGriffergy Tech’s shares, only to tdudump th at at their peak moments later.ethemem, in a arannouncement, he exposed the susuppos papartnership between his companyranand GrGriffergy Technologies as a farcecca–tatak ththey’d used to inflate their stock priceses none actual intention of collaboration. Para seset in among the shareholders who, now disiisillusioned, began offloading their shane enamasasse. The company’s stock went into freefatiall.
But Lachtantari didn’t stop there. He sent t someone to toribribe Eloise, offering her a he payout to isteaeal Griffergy Tech’s trade sec and siphon of offsits remaining assets. Face with the compaparty’s impending doom and own mountaia of ofedebts, Eloise caved. She handed over confidfederatial files and signed contracts selling ofbfflwhat little the compa had left.ft.
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1
dic
ith
WWhen Juniper discovered hen eebetrayal, h rarage erupted. He dragged Elciséste to cour wlwhere she was ultimately sentenceded to ththan ten years in prison.n
GIGriffergy Tech’s downfall was swiftianand brbrutal. They found themselves drowninging in lovover $2.17 million in external debts anal amacadditional $851.3 million owed to 5494 suppliers/With nothing left to their namen compapany declared bankruptcy and begana liquidadation proceedings.
Orsomolosi siveverything–his luxury cars, s, jewelry, propoperties tall of it vanished in the blink of ameyeyeReduced to nothing, he wa left to grapple with crushing debts once e again.in.
PowerCore Dynamicsosi didn’t escape unscathed. Theirprocoduct quality issues le
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toto substantial fines and a severelylatarnished rereputation. It wasn’t long before theyey, too, filfiled for bankruptcy.
AsAs for Juniper, he spent the rest of his lifefe hididing from creditors, wearing a maskstoto ⚫ avavoid recognition while eking out a meagerer
liviivanges elling trinkets at a street stall. II.
WheneGrGriffergy Tech collapsed, Juno’s ‘s husbanandwasted no time filing for divorce.e. He tossedebener and their daughter out of the e villa without a second thought, refusing g to take any resesponsibility. Homeless and d desperate, duhana turned to my father for help.
But by them, my fafather and Coraline were re barely keeping therebyown heads above watere -old, destitute anhattterly powerless. Out of nothing but pity,tlyblegegan sending them a modest monthly allowancet It was just enough to ensure theiresusurvival.
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Meanwhile, my three children embarked on lives of their own, building families and futures. They often brought my grandchildren to visit me, filling my home with laughter and warmth.
“Grandma!”
“Grandma!”
“Grandma!”
Their little voices carried through the house as they tumbled around me, their affection a constant reminder of how far we’d come.
Surrounded by the love of my children and the unending joy of my grandchildren, I spent the rest of my years in peace, treasured and content at last.
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The End.
Book 2: From Housewife to a Luxury Brand Owner
Before marriage, I was a renowned designer. After marriage, people often praised Nathan Baker and me as the perfect couple.
I thought he would love me forever, until I discovered his frequent visits to a massage parlor.
It turned out, he thought I wasn’t worthy of love–just a plain, aging woman. It turned out the mistress was already carrying his child. It turned out my daughter only complained that I was too strict with her, unlike Mrs. White, who would grant her everything she asked for..
In the end, the happy life I once sought
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had long turned into a distant illusion, like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected on
water.
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