Chapter 103

Lorna’s cheeks flushed a hint of displeasure, and Cordelia noticed it with a tinge of confusion.Perhaps Cordella was too indifferent to familial drama, finding Laurinda’s demands ratherperplexing.

Sanderson frowned, “Mom, we’ve already gone our separate ways in terms of finances.”

But Laurinda was quick to retort, “So just because we’ve split the inheritance, that means you’re notmy anymore? Does it mean you no longer owe me any respect? You’re the big brother. The Kermitfamily is struggling right now, can’t you lend a hand? Your money, if not for Kermit, are you planningto leave it all to Lorna and Cordelia, those outsiders?”

Sanderson asserted with a sober tone, They are my wife and daughter, not outsiders.”

Unfazed, Laurinda continued, “Enough of this…”

“Zip it,” Steward cut her off, “Kermit already said, even if he had to beg, he wouldn’t ask Sandersonfor money.”

Kermit, shameless as ever, wailed, “I was drunk, okay? Sanderson, please don’t take it to heart. Iwas wrong. and I’m just not cut out for business. We never should’ve split up. Can’t we just forgetit?”

Steward, overhearing this, felt embarrassed on behalf of Kermit.

“Enough with the waterworks.” he barked, “As long as Laurinda and I are around, you won’tstarve.”

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, “We’re all Delaneys here. Lia’s shoesare nearly ten grand, and our bank account’s balance is barely two thousand. How on earth are wesupposed to live like this.”

Laurinda’s gaze turned sharp as she eyed Cordelia’s footwear, and upon recognizing the priceyshoes, she scolded, “What’s a kid doing with such expensive shoes? Lorna, ever since you left thefamily fold, you seem to have lost all sense. Sanderson’s hard–earned money isn’t there for you tosquander.”

After a pause, she turned her wrath on Sanderson, “And you, be wiser with your money. Don’t justhand it over to someone who might secretly funnel it to their own family. What then?”

Sanderson, avoiding confrontation, quietly turned to Lorna, “Speaking of family, we ought to inviteyour parents over from the countryside sometime soon.”

Lorna was taken aback. Ever since her father Lacy fell ill, she had wanted to take care of him. Butliving with the Delaneys meant she couldn’t have her parents over without them feeling out of place,especially with Laurinda’s disapproval.

After moving to a new home, Lorna had prepared an extra master bedroom, contemplating thefuture when she could bring them over. She’d been grappling with how to approach Sandersonabout it, only to have him suggest it himself.

Touched, she nodded, “Alright.”

“Snap,” Laurinda slammed her utensils down on the table, creating a sharp clatter, “Sanderson,you’re just doing this to get under my skin,” she accused, “Steward, I’m the one who raised Sanderson and now he’s turning his back on his wife’s family.”

Sanderson remained calm, “Mom, Dad, you’re welcome to stay at my place whenever Laurinda was visibly upset, gasping for air.

you wish.”

Kermit, meanwhile, seemed inattentive, casting occasional glances at Sanderson before finallyspeaking up, “Sanderson, about the money that was scammed, do you really think the cops canrecover it?”

12-40 Rachel sighed, “They haven’t even caught a glimpse of Calvert yet. It’s been a week, and themoney’s probably been scattered and moved.”

But Sanderson’s gaze was resolute, “We have to have faith in the police. With such a large sum,they’re bound to retrieve it.””

Kermit’s eyes flickered, “You really believe that? You’re not just consoling me?”

Sanderson nodded in affirmation.

Kermit blurted out, “But who knows when it’ll be recovered. Why don’t I just count it as $48 millionagainst what I owe you? I need the money urgently, and after all, we’ll get it back sooner or later. You’ll make aclean $2 million profit, how about that?”

Sanderson was taken aback.

He put his fork down, feeling like he was being taken for a fool. Everyone knew that recoveringscammed money was a matter of luck, and if it could get even half back, they were lucky. A weekhad 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, “I think it’s a reasonable offer.”

Sanderson scoffed, “When we divided the inheritance, we got less than $30 million in cash, I don’thave the funds you’re asking for.”

Kermit, unconvinced, pressed, “I don’t believe you don’t have any savings stashed away.”

Sanderson’s reply was firm, “I don’t.”

Kermit frowned, exchanging a glance with Rachel. They finally conceded, “Alright, $30 million willdo.”

Having been defrauded of such an amount wasn’t unheard of, and typically, they’d be lucky torecover half. Plus, they needed cash desperately.

Sanderson laughed coldly, “You think I’d agree to that?”

Rachel turned to Laurinda with a heavy sigh, “Sanderson, we’re offering you this discount becausewe want to pay back Mom’s investment. We’re young and can make do, but Mom put $20 millioninto the investment. I’m unfilial, I know, but I can’t stand to see her suffer with us.”

So that was why they readily had $50 million in cash. Laurinda had invested too. Sanderson’s heartsank further.

Upon hearing this, Laurinda became frantic, “Sanderson, you must give this money. You see,Kermit is willing to take a loss for me. Can’t you do something for me? Do you have to drive me tomy grave before you’re satisfied?”

After her outburst, she clutched at her chest and began to sob, ‘Why is my life so filled withsuffering? To Sanderson, money is worth more than my very life.”

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 squeezed by an invisible hand. Howcould 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, “Mom, I can agree, but I have one condition.”

Laurinda’s tears and tantrums ceased abruptly, “What condition?”

He held her gaze steadily. “If you insist on pressuring me into this, then consider this money myfinal act of filial piety.”

His words were crystal clear. If Laurinda was going to force his hand, then they might as well severtheir mother–son ties.

Steward’s face turned pale, about to interject but Laurinda, without hesitation and without a hint ofregret,