"Melanie, send them abroad right away. I can give them $10 million for living expenses, or we can settle this at the police station today."
The moment I finished speaking, Hector slammed his hand on the table, clearly enraged.
"$10 million? You think we're beggars? Gregory Corp. is worth at least a billion, even before it goes public. After the IPO, it'll be worth even more. We've got a dozen cars, five properties, and you want to send us off with just ten million?"
I turned my gaze toward Melanie.
So, she had already handed over all of my assets to Hector?
And this was what she called an accident?
The twins lit up at the mention of a billion.
"A billion? Mom, that means Sis and I are billionaires!"
"Awesome! When we get the money, the first thing I'm buying is a private jet. I'll fly around the world and find myself a celebrity boyfriend."
Watching them get all excited like that was enough to set my teeth on edge.
I spoke slowly, trying to maintain control. "Melanie, you understand that this is my money, right? If I feel like it, I could donate every cent. I could even drive the company into bankruptcy. I've got no wife, no kids, and nothing left to lose."
Before Melanie could say a word, Archie suddenly lunged at me and threw a punch straight into my face.
"You old bastard! Say that again! You're actually thinking of donating our money. What are we supposed to eat and drink without any money? You wanna ruin us? I'll break your damn legs first!"
Then, he kicked me hard in the leg.
Melanie rushed over, grabbing Archie by the arm.
"You little punk! Speak properly. That's your Uncle Zach. How can you raise your hand against him?"
Smirking, Hector finally chimed in, "Zach, you're older than me. Why are you so hot-tempered? Melanie gave you twenty years of her life. Even if she were just a hooker, you didn't pay her for the service. Not to mention, she gave you warmth and family."
"So what if she had a kid?" Hector continued, "Is that really worth turning your back on them? Letting a mother and her two kids starve on the street?"
Now, even Melanie's face darkened with anger.
"Zachary, I never thought you'd be so heartless! I don't care about the money, but how can you be so cruel to Archie and Noelle? They're my children, which means they are yours too!"
"Oh?" I looked at her coldly.
Then I finally said, "Melanie, are you seriously saying I shouldn't be upset that you cheated on me, and I should just graciously accept your kids as my own? Then what if I had kids out there? Would you be just as gracious and accept them as yours?"
Unbothered, Melanie scoffed, "Of course, if you had children out there, bring them home. Let them inherit the company alongside Archie and Noelle. I'm not as petty and selfish as you."
I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
I was over fifty now. My health wasn't exactly excellent. My liver had taken a beating from years of stress and drinking.
Even if I wanted kids, it wasn't possible anymore.
But Melanie was sure I would never have children, and since she said it so confidently, I wasn't going to hold back either.
I turned and smiled, dialed Charlotte's number, and said, "Ms. Monroe, bring the children over."
