But Zoe didnt stop.
Their parents watched her as she launched into a rant about
how cheap Grace was, how shameless she was to set foot
in the designer store, and a litany of other grievances that
sounded hollow at best. And of course she latched onto him
writing Grace a check for millions.
He hoped she cashed it.
It was a sizable chunk of money and it could get her back on
her feet.
And it was probably the only gesture standing between him and Jason Reed breaking down the door to their house right
now.
Mom!!! Zoe railed. He slapped me! In public!
Sean knew the real root of the problem was that Zoe had taken a hit socially when Grace hadthe accident-they all did. And him hitting her if that went viral, hed all but kill his sisters social life again.
I warned you, Sean began,
But Zoe went apeshit as soon as he said it, and he opted not
to bother trying to reason with her.
She was unreasonable even on her best days.
Would Grace accept the money? he wondered again.
That check was enough that it could be considered
compensation for her injuries.
Not all of her injuries
That niggling voice came from the back of his psyche. Where at the oddest times he recalled the prison and everything that
had befallen Grace.
Punishments he himself had seen to.
He didnt feel guilty about things per say, but he did think that he could have left things alone, not encouraged Lily so much
nor tried so hard to stay in the Reed Familys good graces.
But that was all in the past.
Not after today
it might not be a lot of money to us, Zoe went on. But that golddiggin bitch doesnt deserve a penny!
Sean, surely Zoe is mistaken. You wouldnt make such a mistake, Mrs. Stevens stared at her son anxiously.
You should ask Zoe what she did, Sean replied instead. She
told Grace to choose a dress from the shop to buy for her
and Grace chose a couture dress. I was just cleaning up Zoes
mess.
Just because she chose it, you had to give it to her?! Zoe retorted insolently. Brother, why didnt you say that you still have feelings for Grace?
Im saving your life! Sean shouted. He was itching to slap his sister again.
Oh please. Zoes hands shot to her hips. What is Grace,
the sanitation worker, going to do to me? Do you even hear yourself right now?
Thats right. Sean, youve gone too far, hitting your sister
because of Grace. That woman is a curse. If it werent for her,
would our family have to be so wary of the Reed Family and afraid of offending them? Of course his mom defended his
sister. She always was her favorite.
Mom, its not what you think it is
Then what else could it be? his mom replied. That Grace is
still unwilling to give up. Youre already getting married and
shes still inserting herself in your life? Trying to take your
money!? How dare she!
His moms eyes were glowing with rage and he watched as
she worked herself into a full-blown meltdown. Sean stood up abruptly. Mom, why dont you ask what Zoe did to Grace later? She intentionally tripped Grace and caused her to fall
down the escalator!
So what? Madam Stevens said dismissively. Whats the worst that couldve happened? She got hurt? Big deal. The Stevens Family can compensate for any amount of medical fees. Did you really have to hit your sister over something like
this?
Sean took a deep breath. He reminded himself that he had information that his family did not. If Grace wasnt supported by Jason Reed, would he be agonizing over these things and going out of his way to help Grace? Probably not.
But he couldnt tell his family the truth, not without risking Jason Reeds wrath-the one thing all of his efforts were
intended to avoid.
We are better than this, Sean said neutrally. Should a video surface of Zoe intentionally tripping a woman down a flight of stairs, we will create a PR nightmare for Stevens Corporation!
Oh, please. Do you think Im stupid? I alrea
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dy paid to have
the mall surveillance deleted. Zoe huffed. And what about
the situation youre creating with Lily? Zoe shot back.
A fair point. You just let me worry about my fiancee. Sean
turned back to his parents. Anyway, Mom, Dad, look after
Zoe. Dont let her create any trouble
Just then, his fathers phone rang suddenly. Dad answered
the call and after listening for a few moments, his face
immediately turned pale.
Dad, what happened? Sean asked quietly.
The bank has suddenly closed on our loans, his father said in
a shaky voice.
How could this be? Didnt the bank say that there wasnt
a problem before? Why dont you call Bank Manager Chasetao? his mom hastily suggested.
Its no use. Bank Manager Chasetao was the one who called me, his father replied.
Sean took a deep breath.
He needed to think. This situation called for damage control.
Hed already tried to make good on his sisters actions, but
clearly it was not perceived that way. Maybe the slight
wouldve gone unchecked but tripping her down the
escalator Zoe had gone too far.
And, really, was his sister-and mother-so stupid to think that
Grace couldnt have died? She could have broken her neck or
bled internally.
Seans whole body broke into a cold sweat.
Stopping the loans would impact the operating revenue and
diminish the flow of funds for Stevens Group. Was this the
backlash?
Or was Jason just beginning?