Chapter b28 /b

Ste fixed her gate on Emily.

Emily squirmed under Ste‘

ing pare, her face à niix of guilt and confusion. “Ste, w why are you staring

Ste looked at Emily and said, “I always knew money makes the world go round, but I never thought I’d see it happen so close to home Emily, year Duly disappointed me.”

Emily tried to exin, “Ste, it’s not what you think. I came to you because I sincerely hope you can calm down and be close sisters with dena. If you two could get along, we could all still be friends. Wouldn’t that be wonderful!”

Ste turned her back in silence.

Emily hurried after her. “Ste, I truly believe you’ve got Anna all wrong in so many ways. She really cares about you as her sister

“We’ve been practically inseparable for the past three years, and I’ve really gotten to know her, I’m your childhood

and best friend. I’d never hurt you

Before Emily could finish, Ste fixed her with an icy stare. “Emily,” she said coldly, “we’re done as friends. Now, please get out of my room.”

Emily was stunned. Then her face twisted in anger as

or as she snapped, “Ste, byou’re /balways like this, judging others as you want. Did you really think ever

wanted to be your friend?

“You know what? bI’ve /balways hated you. The only reason I stayed by your side was because…” Emily suddenly stopped, her face freezing as she realized she’d said something wrong.

Ste merely cast her a cold nce and remained silent.

Emily shot Ste onest look, then turned and stormed out. Momentster, the sound of her choked sobs dried in from the hallway.

Anna pushed open the door. “Ste, what did you do to Emily? Why is she crying?”

Emily’s crying also caught the attention of Andrew and Fiona downstairs, and they immediately rushed upstairs.

“Ste, what have you done? Emily came all this way to see you. How could you make her cry?” Fiona demanded.

Andrew pointed a finger at her. “Ste, you’ve truly disappointed mel We’ve coddled and pampered you all this time. Was that not enough? Do you have to bring down the whole family before you’re satisfied?”

Max’s usations also came crashing down, leaving Ste gasping for air. Without a word, she mmed the door shut

As their fists pounded on the door, Ste instantly locked it and pressed herself against the bwall/b, her head spinning

Emily wasn’t crying anymore, but she was still sniffling. “Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Max, thank you. Please don’t me Ste. It’s only natural for her to be upset with me. bWe’ll /bmake up in a few days. I’m sure of it.”

Fiona said, “Oh, you’re such a sensible girl, Emily. It’s all bSte’s /bfault for making you upset. Don’t be sad anymoreb” /b

“it’s gettingte, Mr. and Mrs, Hayes. I should probably head off now,” Emily finally said

Anna offered, “Emily, let Max drive you home.

Emily said shyly, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble Max like that.”

“Let’s just go,” Max said.

Freu

Gradually, silence fell outside.

Ste sank to the floor, her body wracked with excruciating pain, but none of itpared to the agony

Ste thought bittedly, “My parents never loved me fine fut edy did even Emily, my childhand best friend, betray me, ton? Am I really that fembre?

Ste ended up sleeping on the floor all night, Strangely enough, she slept soundly.

she woke to the sound of voices alreadying from outside,

Now so gaunt and light footed, Ste emerged without the four of them ven noticing her.

Andrew shot Fiona ba /bbnce/b. “We must find a way to make Ste agree to marry Henry today. As long as thepany’s in trouble, my mom’s condition won’t improve”

Fiona sighed. “You know how stubborn bthat /bgirl is. I’m afraid this isn’t going to be easy”

Andrew said, “Just ask her if she wants Eleanor to die. If the Hayes Group copses, we won’t be able to pay for Eleanor’s medical treatment, and she won’tst long without proper bcare/b.

“isn’t Ste supposed to be a considerate granddaughter? Can’t she even bmake /ba little sacrifice for her own grandmother?”

“Alright, I got it,” Fiona said, turning baround/bb, /bonly to find Ste standing there

The entire family followed bFiona’s /bgaze and froze when they saw Ste standing there.

Given Ste’s past behavior, Max instantly positioned himself protectively in front of the other three, ring at her. “What are you up to this time?”

Ste’s face remained utterly expressionless as she steadily bdescended /bthe stairs.

In the past, Ste’s every thought had been written inly on her face. But now, her expression gave nothing away. That nk mask was downright unnerving to the others.

As Ste approached, Max stood tensely, his eyes burning with wariness.

Ste looked him in the eye. “Weren’t you trying to marry me off? Fine. I‘

I’ll do A

Hearing this, Fiona beamed with delight. She rushed bover/b, seizing Ste’s hand and squeezing it tightly. She said excitedly, “Ste, that’s wonderful. bYou’ve /be to your senses! Don’t worry, sweetheart. Your father and I love you dearly.

“Henry called earlier and said you two had already met. Sure. He’s a bit older than you, but he’s very caring. Since he’s been married before, he really knows how to treat a woman right. You know what I mean, don’t you? |—”

Before Fiona could finish, Ste discreetly withdrew her hand. “But i have conditions,” she said tly

Fiona’s smile froze, her face instantly darkening.

Is, or I won’t spare you just because you’re

Andrew snorted coldly. “I know you weren’t that selfless, Ste. Don’t push your luck with outrageous demands, my daughter.”

“My condition is 20% of the Hayes Group’s shares. I’m not getting married without it.” S

Ste bdered/b.

Andrew jabbed his bfinger /bat her forcefully, just like the night before. “Ste, you’ve really gone too far! How dare you ask for 20%7 Even your brother only bgets /b30%. Looks like you’ve learned a few tricks since you left.”

Ste said bcoolly/bb, /b“When Ih, Thadn’t even turned eighteen. After I was gone, you celebrated Anna’s eighteenth birthday and publicly announced she’d pet 20 of Hayes Group shares, didn’t you?it Anna gets 20%, then why shouldn’t I?”

Andrew shifted ufortably. “H–how did you know?”

Wed,

b“/bWith howected the world is now, everyone over there knew I was from the Hayes family. When they tried to pressure me into submission, they made sure to tell me everything you did after Fleh,” she said.

Max felt a sharp pang. He had confronted his parents about this before, and they had promised him that when Ste returned, she would also receive 20% of the Hayes Group share

With so much time having passed, he’dpletely forgotten until Ste brought it up. Now, faring Andrew, he said firmly, “Dad, this isn’t a demand. You promised her this before. Now it’s just about honoring your word.”

“Enough” Andrew snapped, shooting Max a re.

bMax /bstood stunned. Fiona instinctively turned to look at Ste, whose face was utterly nk, and it was exactly that impassive expression that sent shivers down their spines.

No shares, no marriage.” With that, Ste turned on her heel and walked away.

Andrew yelled with rage; “She’s truly audacious. How dare she try to bargain with me? That’s her own grandmother is she not going to save her?”

C