bChapter /bb73 /b

Eleanor’s brows snapped together, her gaze sharpening with displeasure. “Andrew,” her voice cut through the air, “what is the meaning of this?”

Andrew narrowed his eyes. “Things got ugly just now, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is all part of Jordan’s scheme.

Ste, you are my daughter. I’d never hurt you. Sure, you two are legally married. But without my blessing, it’s doomed to fail.”

Ste felt no surprise, only weary contempt. Their hypocrisy was a familiar, ugly pattern. A cold, knowing smile touched Ste’s lips. “The bride price. That’s what this is really about.”

Andrew’sposure slipped, revealing his shock at her directness.

Fiona rushed forward,yering on false concern. “Darling girl, we think only of your future. Marrying without a proper bride price? How could the Erwin family possibly respect you?”

Ste gave ba /bsarcastic nod. “Fine, you want the bride price? Then hand over that 1 billion dors you stole from me.”

She added with a smirk, “Haven’t you ever wondered where that fortune came from? Jordan gave it to me.”

Fiona gasped, her eyes widening in disbelief. “Jordan gave you that much?”

“Exactly. So, does that cover the bride price? Or would you rather I sue you again? Last time, you blocked mywyers. But the Erwin Group’s legal feam?” A chilling smile. “Your influence won’t touch them.

“You dragged our name through the mud once. I have no qualms about doing it again.”

Andrew trembled with fury. “Ste, how dare you threaten us?!”

“It’s not a threatb,/b” Ste countered, her voice cial. “It’s a statement of fact. Grandma, wouldn’t you agree?”

Eleanor stood tall, her voice ringing with authority. “Ste speaks the truth. That fortune was hers, entrusted to her by Jordan. Stealing it was unforgivable.

“That she hasn’t demanded its return is grace enough. To demand more from her husband now?” Eleanor’s voice dripped with . “It is beyond shameful!”

Andrew switched tactics, desperation creeping in. “Mom, think of Ste’s standing. If Jordan pays nothing, what value will he ce on her? I do this for her.”

Ste met his bgaze/b, her bown /bburning. “Shall I spell it out for Jordan? That you’re a parasite, bleeding your daughter dry?”

Andrew flinched as if struck, speechless.

“Go, Ste. bLeave /bwith your husband,” Eleanormanded, her tone brooking no argument.

“Yes, Grandma,” Ste replied.

‘The debt isn’t settled, Ste thought fiercely as she turned away. Thepany will bbe /bmine. And every wrong they’ve done? I will collect. With interest!

Ste and Jordan left, leaving the stifling tension behind.

Seeing the Altair Karman drive off, Andrew turned to Eleanor, “Mom, how could you side with her against us? She

“Enough!” Eleanor’s voice cracked like thunder. “Max needs a hospital, not your misced me. Look inward. Reflect on bthe /bcruelty you’ve shown Ste for years. Were it not for my presence, she would have abandoned you long ago.”

Her re swept over them, filled with contempt. “And yet you keep pushing your luck–have you no shame left?” With that, she turned and ascended the stairs, supported by Mary.

Andrew and Fiona rushed Max to the hospital. After a bseries /bof examinations, the doctors confirmed he had only suffered superficial injuries–no broken bones.

Fiona’s face twisted in distress. “Woe is mel” Fiona walled between sobs. “What curse gave me such a viper for a daughter?

“All these years, I carried guilt for her misfortunes, and how does she repay me? By wielding it like a weapon. By torturing my precious boy!”

Andrew seethed silently, his fists clenched. He felt heartbroken seeing Max like this. ‘If Jordan hadn’t interfered, if Mom hadn’t been there, I’d have beaten Ste senseless–made sure she looked just as bad as Max! She’s growing far too bold, he thought.

Anna’s eyes also welled up with tears, her face the picture of distressed sisterhood.

Lionel stood frozen, struggling to reconcile the gentle Ste he remembered with the image of her wielding a belt against her brother.

“Lionel,” Ann? ventured, her voiceced with faux concern, “I’ve been terribly worried. Ste’s behavior is unhinged. Perhaps she needs professional help? It’s frightening. Who knows what she might do next?”

“You think she has mental problems?” Lionel asked, a note of surprise in his voice.

Anna said, her tone carefully measured. “We all know that after everything she’s been through, it’s no wonder she’s be so….. twisted. Honestly, we should’ve gotten her into therapy from the beginning, then things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.”

Lionel’s frown deepened. The brutality of the act–a sister inflicting that on her brother–seemed unfathomable. “Is Anna right? bHad /btrauma truly broken Ste?”

“Oh, by the way, Lionel,” Anna said, “I almost forgot to tell you–Ste’s married.”

“Married?!” Lionel eximed, disbelief flooding his voice. He looked visibly stunned.

Anna felt deeply unsettled by his reaction. Her lips forming a pout of grievance, she asked softly, “Lionel, do you still care for

Ste?”

Lionel flinched. The memory of Ste’s bright smile felt like a physical blow. “Who?” The word was a harsh rasp,

Anna’s heart sank when Lionel ignored her question. ‘He’s still only thinking about Ste,‘ she thought bitterly. But to sever hisst shred of hope, Anna said tly, “Jordan Erwin.”

*Jordan Erwin? Impossible!” Jordan and Ste moved inpletely different circles. How could she possibly marry him?” “Honestly, I was shocked too. But today, Ste brought Jordan home, and they had their marriage license. We all saw it. It’s real

“if it weren’t for Jordan backing her up, egging her on, Ste would never have dared beat Max like that. He’s behind it all” Lionel stood frozen, his beyes /bbetraying unconceble anguish.

19:36 Thu, 31 Jul Va

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Chapter b73 /b

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Anna’s heart ached with bitterness, unconcealed hatred zing in her eyes. The truth was, the scheme to marry Ste off to Troy had been Anna’s idea all along-

Lionel never let on in front of Anna that he still loved Ste, but she knew he cared. Just look at now, that flicker of deep feeling, unconscious and raw, was something Anna had never seen directed at her.

She had thought that only if Ste ended up with bTroy/b, severing Lionel’sst hope, would he finally be herspletely. But then Kevin appeared… and now Jordan! Anna thought bitterly. “Why does every man fall for Ste? Why never for me?

“You’re certain about all this?” Lionel demanded, his voice tight.

“Would I lie to you?” Anna replied. “I heard they were online friends. They knew each other years ago.”

“Online friends?” Lionel echoed.

Anna nodded. “Yeah, you bwere /bso close to her back then. Didn’t she ever mention her online friend to you?”

Lionel realized with a pang. But he’d brushed it off, bnever /bdreamed it could be Jordan. A bitter thought struck him, “Did I push her toward him?‘

“I’ve got to go. Max just needs rest. Don’t bworry/b.” Lionel turned and hurried out without another word.

Anna knew exactly where Lionel was going, yet she couldn’t stop herself from stepping into his path. “Lionel, wait-”

Lionel didn’t spare her a nce, let alone a response.

E