103
Lornaâs cheeks flushed a hint of displeasure, and Cordelia noticed it with a tinge of confusion. Perhaps Cordella was too indifferent to familial drama, finding Laurindaâs demands rather perplexing.
Sanderson frowned, âMom, weâve already gone our separate ways in terms of finances.â
But Laurinda was quick to retort, âSo just because weâve split the inheritance, that means youâre not my anymore? Does it mean you no longer owe me any respect? Youâre the big brother. The Kermit family is struggling right now, canât you lend a hand? Your money, if not for Kermit, are you planning to leave it all to Lorna and Cordelia, those outsiders?â
Sanderson asserted with a sober tone, They are my wife and daughter, not outsiders.â
Unfazed, Laurinda continued, âEnough of thisâ¦â
âZip it,â Steward cut her off, âKermit already said, even if he had to beg, he wouldnât ask Sanderson for money.â
Kermit, shameless as ever, wailed, âI was drunk, okay? Sanderson, please donât take it to heart. I was wrong. and Iâm just not cut out for business. We never shouldâve split up. Canât we just forget it?â
Steward, overhearing this, felt embarrassed on behalf of Kermit.
âEnough with the waterworks.â he barked, âAs long as Laurinda and I around, you wonât starve.â
With that, Steward headed toward the dining room, effectively cutting off the discussion.
The others had no choice but to follow, trailing behind him.
Cordelia followed Lorna into the living room, and then they both sat down beside Sanderson.
Rachel glanced at Lorna, then at Sanderson, and blurted out, âWeâre all Delaneys here. Liaâs shoes are nearly ten grand, and our bank accountâs balance is barely two thousand. How on earth are we supposed to live like this.â
Laurindaâs gaze turned sharp as she eyed Cordeliaâs footwear, and upon recognizing the pricey shoes, she scolded, âWhatâs a kid doing with such expensive shoes? Lorna, since you left the family you seem to have lost all sense.
âearned money isnât there for you to squander.â
After a pause, she turned her wrath on Sanderson, âAnd you, be wiser with your money. Donât just hand it over to someone who might secretly funnel it to their own family. What then?â
Sanderson, avoiding confrontation, quietly turned to Lorna, âSpeaking of family, we ought to invite your parents over from the countryside sometime soon.â
Lorna was taken aback. Ever since her father Lacy fell ill, she had wanted to take care of him. But living with the Delaneys meant she couldnât have her parents over without them feeling out of place, especially with Laurindaâs disapproval.
After moving to a new home, Lorna had prepared an extra master bedroom, contemplating the future when she could bring them over. Sheâd been grappling with how to approach Sanderson about it, only to have him suggest it himself.
Touched, she nodded, âAlright.â
âSnap,â Laurinda slammed her utensils down on the table, creating a sharp clatter, âSanderson, youâre just doing this to get under my skin,â she accused, âSteward, Iâm the one who raised Sanderson and now heâs turning his back on his wifeâs family.â
Sanderson remained calm, âMom, Dad, youâre welcome to stay at my place whenever
Laurinda was visibly upset, gasping for air.
you wish.â
Kermit, meanwhile, seemed inattentive, casting occasional glances at Sanderson before finally speaking up, âSanderson, about the money that was scammed, do you really think the cops can recover it?
12-40
Chapter 103
Rachel sighed, âThey havenât even caught a glimpse of Calvert yet. Itâs been a week, and the moneyâs probably been scattered and moved.
But Sandersonâs gaze was resolute, âWe have to have faith in the police. With such a large sum, theyâre bound to retrieve it.ââ
Kermitâs eyes flickered, âYou really believe that? Youâre not just consoling me?â
Sanderson nodded in affirmation.
Kermit blurted out, âBut who knows when itâll be recovered. Why donât I just count it as $48 million against what
I owe you? I need the money urgently, and after all, weâll get it back sooner or later. Youâll make a clean $2 million profit, how about that?â
Sanderson was taken aback.
He put his fork down, feeling like he was being taken for a fool. Everyone knew that recovering scammed money was a matter of , and if it get even half back, they were lucky. A week had passed, and the chances of a full covery were slim to none.
How could Kermit have the audacity to make such a proposition?
But Laurinda chimed in, âI think itâs a reasonable offer.â
Sanderson scoffed, âWhen we divided the inheritance, we got less than $30 million in cash, I donât have the funds youâre asking for.â
Kermit, unconvinced, pressed, âI donât believe you donât have any savings stashed away.â
Sandersonâs reply was firm, âI donât.â
Kermit frowned, exchanging a with Rachel. They finally conceded, âAlright, $30 million will do.â
Having been defrauded of such an amount wasnât unheard of, and typically, theyâd be lucky to recover . Plus, they needed cash desperately.
Sanderson laughed coldly, âYou think Iâd agree to that?â
Rachel turned to Laurinda with a heavy sigh, âSanderson, weâre offering you this discount because we want to pay back Momâs investment. Weâre young and can make do, but Mom put $20 million into the investment. Iâm unfilial, I know, but I canât stand to see her suffer with us.â
So that was why they readily had $50 million in cash. Laurinda had invested too. Sandersonâs heart sank further.
Upon hearing this, Laurinda became frantic, âSanderson, you must give this money. You see, Kermit is willing to take a loss for me. Canât you do something for me? Do you have to drive me to my grave before youâre satisfied?â
After her outburst, she clutched at her chest and began to sob, âWhy is my life so filled with suffering? To Sanderson, money is worth more than my very life.â
It was the classic tantrum, crying causing a scene, and threatening the extreme.
Sanderson felt a pang in his heart, almost as if it was being by an invisible hand. How could he have ended up with such a biased and selfish mother?
He took a deep breath and turned to look at Lorna.
Years of marriage meant they understood each other with just a glance.
Standing up, Sanderson broke the silence, âMom, I can agree, but I have one condition.â
Laurindaâs tears and tantrums ceased abruptly, âWhat condition?â
He held her gaze steadily. âIf you insist on pressuring me into this, then consider this money my final act of filial piety.â
His words were crystal clear. If Laurinda was going to force his hand, then they might as well sever their
motherâson ties.
Stewardâs face turned pale, about to interject but Laurinda, without hesitation and without a hint of regret,