“Ten million? Are you trying to send beggars away?”
“The Solana Group is already worth a billion even before it goes public, and it’ll be worth more after. There are over a dozen cars, five properties... and you’re offering ten million?”
I turned to Vale, my gaze cold. So, he had already handed everything over to Hyacinth? And this, this was what he dared to call an accident?
The two children’s eyes lit up at the word billion.
“A billion? Mom, doesn’t that make us billionaires?”
“This is crazy! Once I get the money, I’m buying a private jet and traveling the world, maybe even get a celebrity boyfriend.”
Watching their excitement grow, I spoke slowly and clearly.
“Vale, you should know that I earned money. If I get angry, I can donate every cent or drag the company into bankruptcy. I have no family anyway. What do I care?”
Before Vale could say anything, Percy rushed over and punched me straight in the face.
“Old hag, say that again! You actually want to donate our money?”
“If we don’t have a cent to our name, how are we supposed to eat or drink? You want to ruin us? I’ll break your legs first!”
As he spoke, he kicked my leg hard.
Vale rushed forward and pulled him back.
“You little brat! Speak properly! She’s your Aunt Lettie! How dare you lay a hand on her!”
Hyacinth finally spoke, calm as ever.
“Big sister, you’re older than me. Why are you still so impulsive?”
“Vale slept with you for twenty years. Even if you were paying for a gigolo, that wasn’t free either. At least he gave you warmth, gave you a home.”
“So what if he had kids? And now you’re heartlessly turning your back, ready to toss the three of us onto the streets?”
Vale’s face darkened.
“Lettie, I never thought you’d be this cruel, so heartless.”
“I don’t care about the money. But how can you stomach donating everything and making Percy and Margaret suffer? They’re my children, which makes them yours too, doesn’t it?”
“Oh?”
I looked at Vale with calm indifference.
“Vale, are you saying I should turn a blind eye to your betrayal and generously accept your children?”
“Then tell me, if I had children outside, would you treat them like your own?”
Vale let out a cold snort.
“Of course. If you had kids, they could move in too. They could inherit the company alongside Percy and Margaret.”
“I’m not petty and selfish like you.”
I was already past fifty. After years of business dinners, late nights, and unrelenting pressure, my health, especially my liver, had long deteriorated. Even if I wanted to, having children now was impossible.
Vale was betting on that. Betting I couldn’t have children anymore. But since he said that, I wouldn’t be polite anymore.
With a soft smile, I dialed Larkin.
“Secretary Scott, bring the children over.”
