Regret Is Only the Beginning - Chapter 15

Grandma’s suspicious gaze fell on me immediately.

Since the last time I had seen Evie, she had undergone a dramatic transformation. Now, she was draped in gold and diamonds like she had fully integrated into high society.

Ignoring her taunts, I said flatly, “So, what’s the plan this time? How are you going to frame me now? But before you try anything, you might want to check if there are any security cameras in here. Otherwise, if something happens, you won’t be able to explain yourself.”

Evie’s face stiffened. She glanced around uneasily and cleared her throat.

“Jillian, I came here today to tell you that you’ve already taken plenty from the company. Now you’ve got a new business, and you’re living in a prime location like Meadowlark Heights. So from now on, stop asking Archie for money.”

Grandma chimed in, “Evie’s right. Jillian, you have more than enough to live comfortably. Try not to talk to Archie if you don’t have to. But don’t worry. I’ll ask him to give your new company some special treatment.”

I looked at them coolly. “How considerate of you, making a special trip just to say this. But this is my home, and you’re not welcome here. Are you going to leave on your own, or should I throw you out?”

Grandma frowned. “What kind of attitude is this, Jillian? I’m your grandmother. Is this how you treat me?”

I had long since given up on family affection.

“It’s precisely because I still acknowledge you as an elder that I’m giving you a choice.” I let out a mocking laugh. “When you were acting like a family to me, did you ever consider my feelings? Like you said, let’s stop keeping in touch if we don’t have to.”

Evie fanned the flames. “Marlene, look at her! She doesn’t even have a shred of respect for you. And let’s not forget–this house belongs to the Houghton family. You and Archie pitied her, so you didn’t take it back. And now she’s trying to kick us out?”

That struck a nerve with Grandma. Her face darkened. “Jillian, if I had known, I wouldn’t have left you a single property!”

That was a low blow.

Without another word, I called Archie.

“Archie, you have 30 minutes to get to Meadowlark Heights. If you’re late, I’m throwing them out myself.”

“Jillian-”

I hung up at once.

Evie panicked the moment she heard I had called Archie. “What’s that supposed to mean? You think Archie will take your side? Don’t forget. We’re his real family!”

Archie arrived within 30 minutes.

His hair was a mess, and dark circles lingered under his eyes. As soon as he arrived, he apologized. “I’ll take them away right now. Sorry for the trouble.”

I waved him off.

Archie turned to Evie and Grandma, trying to persuade them, but his stance only made Evie explode.

“What the hell, Archie? You’re siding with her? Do you even know what she just did? She’s trying to kick us out!”

Grandma also looked displeased.

Archie raked a hand through his hair, looking like he was on the verge of losing it. “I have enough to deal with the trouble at the company! Can you two stop making things worse?”

His outburst startled both of them.

The moment they heard the company was in trouble, Evie and Grandma forgot everything else and rushed to ask what was going on.

“We’ll talk at home,” Archie said. Then, he turned to me. “We’ll be leaving now.”

I hummed in acknowledgment.

As they walked out, I could still hear Evie demanding, “Archie, what’s happening with the company? Wasn’t everything running smoothly?”

Archie’s frustrated voice snapped back, “Smooth? All you do is spend money! Do you even know how many projects are bleeding cash right now?”