Chapter 32
Laila’s POV
Ava’s breathing had finally evened out, turning soft and steady.
I sat beside her bed, running my fingers through her dark hair. She looked so small in that hospital bed. Too fragile,
The machines beeped around us. Heart monitor steady, but reminding me how precarious everything was.
Her surgery was next week, and there were always risks.
My phone buzzed on the bedside table. I glanced at it, expecting another text from work. They had been increasing as I spent more time at the hospital, spearheaded by a board member named Sheila, who was gossiping about how the “stress of my personal life” was preventing me from leading the company properly.
Instead, the name on the caller ID made my blood run cold.
Victor Harper. Vanessa’s grandfather.
I hadn’t heard from him in months. I had hoped that silence would continue indefinitely.
Nothing good ever came from the Harper family calling.
I stepped out into the hallway before answering, keeping my voice low so Ava wouldn’t hear.
“Hello?”
“Where is my money?” Victor’s voice came through sharp and demanding. No greeting. No pretense of caring about his supposed daughter or granddaughter.
Just brash and straight to the point. That was Victor Harper in a nutshell.
“I transferred the monthly dividend two weeks ago,” I said calmly. Professional. As if this were a business transaction and nothing more.
Because that’s all it was to them.
“That pittance? I’m talking about real money, girl. The kind you’ve been hoarding while your family struggles.”
My jaw clenched. Family. Right.
“The dividend agreement is generous,” I said. Each word carefully controlled. “It’s more than the company profits justify given your complete lack of involvement.”
“Don’t you dare lecture me about involvement. That company exists because of Harper money.”
“Vanessa’s company exists because Vanessa built it from nothing.” The correction came out sharper than I’d intended, “The seed money was repaid years ago with interest.”
Victor scoffed, “Speaking about yourself in the third person, Vanessa. Really?”
Silence settled uncomfortably before Victor’s voice came back colder. More calculating,
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Chapter 32
+25 Bonus
“We need to discuss your future, Vanessa. You’ve been dragging your feet with William long enough.”
There it was. The real reason for his call.
“My relationship with William is none of your concern.”
“Everything about you is my concern. You’re a Harper. And Harpers don’t waste opportunities.” He paused. Letting that sink in. “William Chen comes from serious money. His family has connections we need. When are you going to stop playing games and marry the man?”
“I’m not playing games. And I’m certainly not getting married just to give you business connections.”
“Listen carefully.” His voice dropped to that dangerous tone. “Jessica and Hannah are living under my roof. Eating my food.”
My heart stuttered at the mention of Vanessa’s younger sisters.
“Don’t,” I warned. “Don’t you dare-”
“They’re half–breeds. Barely worth the trouble. But I’ve been patient. Because you’re family.” The implication was clear. “I have a business deal pending. A major one. But the investors want assurances. Strategic partnerships.‘
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“What kind of deal?”
“The kind that will save this family.”
I almost laughed. Save the family? Vanessa had told me everything about his gambling debts, his failed investments, his constant bleeding of company funds.
“The dividend agreement stands. Nothing more.”
“You’re forgetting something. I have access to certain information. Family secrets that might interest your business partners.” His words were poison. “Do you really want to start talking about how that little girl of yours doesn’t have a father?”
Ice flooded my veins. “What are you talking about?”
“The truth. Oh, I know people assume William is the dad, but what if they came to learn that he’s not, and that maybe you don’t actually know either, thanks to the fast and loose lifestyle you were living at the time.”
“So, you plan to gossip about me.”
“I plan to sow the seeds that would permanently damage your reputation.”
I could practically hear the self–satisfied smirk through his words.
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