Chapter 6
692words
After my parents' repeated failures, my grandmother took her turn.
She was halted at the estate gates, where she immediately began making a scene—wailing and shrieking that the Hawkins family was using their power to bully people, that I was an ungrateful granddaughter who'd forgotten her roots after marrying into money.
Franklin approached me with a troubled expression, seeking instructions.
Before I could respond, Ethan frowned from his bed.
"Too damn noisy."
I patted his hand reassuringly and said to Franklin, "Let her in. I'll meet her in the downstairs living room."
I changed and went downstairs. Grandmother sat perched on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, her greedy eyes cataloging every expensive item in the room.
When she saw me enter, she instantly masked her avarice behind a veneer of elderly dignity.
"Zoe, there you are. Just look at you—marrying into the Hawkins family is quite the achievement, yet you couldn't be bothered to inform your own grandmother."
Without responding, I took a seat on the sofa opposite her.
"Your parents are being ridiculous—getting upset with your sister over such a trivial matter! We're family, after all. Everything can be worked out. Now that you're Mrs. Hawkins, you can't be tight-fisted. You must help your own flesh and blood when they need it."
She rambled on, clearly viewing me as nothing more than the Gray family's personal ATM.
I listened silently until she paused to take a sip of water. Only then did I speak.
"Grandmother, how did my mother die?"
Her expression froze, her eyes darting away from mine. "Why bring up that woman out of nowhere? She had bad luck, got sick, and couldn't recover."
"Is that so?" I stared directly into her eyes, enunciating each word. "Wasn't it because she discovered Dad's affair, and was driven to depression by your collective harassment, until finally someone cut off her medication and she died alone in that tiny room?"
Grandmother's face turned ashen instantly.
"You... what nonsense are you spouting!"
"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know the truth." I stood up, looking down at her. "I remember exactly how you all treated my mother—and how you treated me. Now you want me to bail out the Gray family? Fine."
I watched her eyes light up with hope, and smiled coldly as I delivered the second half of my sentence.
"When all of you visit my mother's grave, kneel down, and confess your sins—then perhaps I'll consider leaving the Gray family a lifeline."
Ethan's awakening had breathed new life into the Hawkins family, but for me, this was merely the opening act of my revenge.
Grandmother's face contorted with rage as she jabbed a finger at me. "You ungrateful little bitch! If the Gray family hadn't raised you, would you be standing where you are today?"
I laughed coldly. "Raised me? You locked me in the attic, left me freezing in winter and sweltering in summer, feeding me Pamela's scraps. You call that raising a child?"
Grandmother sputtered before launching into a theatrical fit. "Help! Someone help! Mrs. Hawkins is abusing an old woman!"
I gave Franklin a subtle nod, and he immediately summoned security. Grandmother continued shrieking as they escorted her out: "Zoe, you'll regret this!"
When I returned upstairs, Ethan was sitting up in bed. The doctor had declared his recovery remarkable—in just two weeks, he might be able to walk.
"All handled?" he asked.
I nodded and sat beside him. He reached for my hand, his palm warm and firm—nothing like the cold, limp hand from before.
"Zoe, what do you want to do about the Gray family?" he asked directly.
I looked up at him. "Will you help me?"
"Of course." His eyes hardened with determination. "You saved my life ten years ago. Now it's my turn to protect yours."
Warmth bloomed in my chest as I outlined my plan step by step...
Three days later, breaking financial news sent shockwaves through the markets: Gray Group was under investigation for massive financial fraud. Their stock price nosedived.
This was my first substantial gift to the Gray family.
