CONFRONTING THE STEPMOTHER
CONFRONTING THE STEPMOTHER
Scarlett
+25 BONUS
My eyes lowered as I held the phone. In my previous life, I had paid zero attention to Alistair Gance’s second wife, Clarissa, or her son, Nathan. Back then, I had been desperate to focus on my marriage that had already been rotting from the inside.
By the time I realized Clarissa had been siphoning my father’s wealth for years, it had already become public scandal and too
late. This time would be different.
“Tell Clarissa, I’ll be there,” I replied.
“I thought you might say that. In that case, I believe it’s only right I inform you of the current situation within the Gance household.”
I listened quietly.
“Most of your father’s assets, shares, and estates are legally under your name. However, due to his prolonged illness, the LG group and family affairs have largely been controlled by Clarissa and her son, Nathan.”
Irritation crept beneath my skin. Leeches. That’s exactly what they were. Even after my father’s death, they still clung to his wealth like beggars.
Still, my voice remained composed. “Thank you for informing me.”
“The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Scarlett.”
The call ended shortly after. Tomorrow, I will cut off yet another infection out by the root. The next morning, I arrived at the
Gance residence.
The iron gates opened before me by the guards. Servants lined both sides of the pathway leading to the estate, bowing respectfully as I walked past.
Father’s mansion was exactly as I remembered it: huge and filled with people who pretended to be family.
“You must be Scarlett. Welcome to the family, darling.”
A bright, high-society voice rang through the grand foyer. Clarissa descended the spiral staircase, her light blue silk gown rustling softly.
She looked exactly like the perfect, elegant matriarch. If I didn’t already know what a snake she was from my past life, I might have actually believed the welcoming act.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Clarissa continued, stepping up to me and pulling me into a light, perfumed embrace. She pulled back, her eyes scanning my face with a practiced, patronizing smile. “Look at you. You have your father’s eyes. You’re absolutely beautiful.”
My lips curved into a smile effortlessly-the same smile I had practiced over and on again.
“That’s kind of you to say.”
“Oh!” she exclaimed excitedly. “I almost forgot. I got you a little something.”
She held out a velvet jewelry box. Inside it sat a sparkling diamond bracelet, but I could see through her pathetic attempt.
It was a classic rich-woman tactic: toss a shiny piece of candy to the poor, newly found illegitimate daughter to keep her compliant.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, fastening the bracelet around my wrist. “I’ll treasure it always.”
Clarissa’s smile grew wider, clearly thinking I was just another greedy girl blinded by a bit of sparkle. “Good. Now, come sit with
CONFRONTING THE STEPMOTHER
+25 BONUS
me in the drawing room. Let’s have a real chat.”
Once we settled onto the plush velvet couch, Clarissa’s elegant demeanor shifted She let out a heavy, theatrical sigh and leaned in, her voice dropping into a gentle, motherly tone.
“Scarlett, now that you’re legally part of this family, there’s something we need to discuss honestly. For your own good.” She paused, watching my reaction. “I think it’s best if you officially sign a waiver to give up your father’s inheritance-both the company shares and the money.”
I didn’t even blink. I knew she had no shame, but to demand a newly recognized daughter give up her birthright during their very first meeting?
“Oh?” I murmured, tilting my head.
“Managing a massive conglomerate like the LG Group would only be overwhelming for someone from your… background,” she explained gently, as if she were doing me a favor. “You won’t walk away empty handed, of course. I’ll personally ensure you’re generously compensated with a monthly allowance.”
Compensated with my own money. She wanted to treat the rightful heir like a stray dog begging for scraps. I almost laughed out
loud.
“You make a lot of points, Clarissa,” I said softly, looking down at the diamond bracelet on my wrist. “But I won’t be giving up a single cent of my inheritance.”
The fake maternal warmth vanished from her face instantly. Her jaw set, her eyes turning ice-cold. “Don’t be foolish, Scarlett. You just walked into this world. You don’t have the qualities or the education to handle a company of this scale.”
“And you do?” I scoffed, leaning back against the cushions. “Is that what you’re calling systematic embezzlement these days? Qualities?”
Clarissa stiffened, her face turning an ugly shade of red. “Watch your mouth. I don’t know what garbage you’re implying, but you are a guest in my house.”
“It’s my father’s house,” I corrected smoothly. “And I’m not implying anything. I’m stating a fact.”
I reached into my handbag, pulled out a neat manila folder, and tossed it onto the glass coffee table right in front of her.
“What is this?” she snapped.
“The offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands under your maiden name,” replied, my voice dropping to a calm, deadly whisper. “Specifically, the ledger detailing the five million dollars you siphoned from my father’s medical trust last month. Oh, and the dummy corporations you use to launder money through your charity foundation.”
୮
Clarissa’s face drained of color so fast she looked like a ghost. Her lips parted, but only a choked gasp came out.
These were crimes she was currently committing -secrets she hadn’t even finished hiding yet. In my past life, this wouldn’t be discovered for another two years. There was no paper trail, no leaks. To her, it was mathematically impossible for a girl who just walked through the front door to hold this data.
“H-How…” she stammered, her fingers shaking against her gown. “This is a fabrication! You’re trying to blackmail me!”
“If it’s a fabrication, let’s call the federal auditors right now and let them verify it,” I said, gesturing casually to the files. “If you try to touch my inheritance, this file goes straight to the prosecutor’s office. A massive embezzlement scandal won’t look very good for your son Nathan’s future in the company, will it?”
Panic and rage completely shattered her high-society composure.
“You arrogant little bastard,” she hissed, her voice trembling as she stood up. “Do you really think you can walk into my home and threaten me? You think you’re leaving here alive with those documents? Guards!”
Heavy, rushing footsteps echoed across the marble foyer. Within seconds, four burly security guards flooded the drawing room,
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CONFRONTING THE STEPMOTHER
+25 BONUS
completely surrounding the couch.
I didn’t panic. After dying once already, a few hired thugs didn’t even register as a threat.
Calmly, I pulled my phone out of my handbag and placed it face-up on the glass table. The call screen was glowing, the timer already past twenty minutes.
“Leonard,” I said into the speaker.
“Yes, Mrs. Scarlett?”
“For clarification, my stepmother’s threat was recorded, correct?”
“Every word,” he replied. “The recording is sufficient evidence for unlawful detention and criminal intimidation.”
A slow smile spread across my lips as I fixed my gaze on Clarissa. “Did you hear that?”
Clarissa let out shaky breathing, panicking visibly.
“If anything happens to me after today, you’ll become the primary suspect.”
Just when I had Clarissa concerned, a sharp voice cut through the tension behind her.
“What the hell is going on here?”
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