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“Mia, I swear I’ll make Luna pay with my own hands. I’ll wipe her and her illegitimate child off the face of this earth to put an end to my dad’s absurd visions,” Jasmine exclaimed.
Jasmine had never hated anyone as much as she hated Luna. She had returned to the country this time expecting to start a happy life, but ended up hitting a major setback. Jasmine wiped her tears. “It’s all because of Luna that our family’s in such a mess now. If she disappears, everything will go back to normal.” “Hahaha, you sure live up to your name. So naive.” Luna rolled in on a wheelchair, sporting a hospital gown. Surprisingly, she looked well. Mia frowned at Luna’s appearance. It seemed Alison’s condition had worsened this time because Luna had informed her about this matter. Fuming, Jasmine shrieked at Luna. “You slut! How dare you show your face here? You’re not welcome. Get out!”
Luna clicked her tongue twice before saying, “I can go wherever I want in this hospital. Who are you to stop me? Besides, I came here to check on your mom. I want to see if she’s kicked the bucket yet.”
Upon hearing this, Mia immediately grabbed Jasmine’s hand. “Calm down, don’t let her words get to you.”
It was obvious that Luna had said this on purpose to provoke Jasmine. But Jasmine couldn’t hold back. She lunged forward, slapped Luna, and tipped over the wheelchair.
Pointing at Luna’s nose, Jasmine scolded, “You’re a living disgrace! You don’t even deserve to return to the family!
“The reason why the Shelbert family is where it is today is all thanks to my mom and the help of my grandparents. Your son will vel:
never get a single penny from the family.”
Luna sneered, “But it’s all thanks to Dad that the family’s come this far. And this money is rightfully his.”
“Without Mom, his family would’ve gone bankrupt ages ago. Where do you think the money came from? It’s all my mom’s. Dad’s useless! He has no right to touch a cent of the
Shelbert family’s wealth!”
At this moment, Raymond stepped out with a dark expression. “Jasmine, have I spoiled you too much? How dare you say such things?”
Seeing Raymond’s coincidental appearance, Mia understood why Luna had deliberately provoked Jasmine earlier.
Chapter 1049
As expected, Luna never got scolded without reason. When Mia saw her arrival, she guessed that Luna must have come with a purpose. It wasn’t merely to annoy Jasmine.
True enough, Mia realized Luna’s deliberate provocation of Jasmine earlier was part of a calculated plan when she saw Raymond appear. Jasmine had spoken recklessly and called her father a “useless man.”
Raymond held a significant and influential position and he was also Jasmine’s father. As a man who relied on his wife, the last thing Raymond wanted to hear was someone calling him useless. Men like him were proud, self-serving, and narrow-minded. Luna had cleverly exploited Raymond’s weak spot this time.
Jasmine’s face drained of color when she saw her father enter the room. The sight of Raymond standing next to Luna fueled her anger and caused her to lose her senses.
Luna deliberately acted vulnerable and said to Raymond, “Dad, don’t blame Jasmine. We just had a little argument. It’s no big deal. I won’t hold it against her.”
Raymond reprimanded, “Look at how forgiving your sister is. She doesn’t care about these trivial matters. Why can’t you be more like her? I’ve treated you well all these years and even sent you abroad. And this is how you repay me?”
Jasmine sneered and said, “Yes, after studying abroad for so many years, at least I know what gratitude is. I also know what being an ingrate means.”
Pointing at Jasmine’s nose, Raymond yelled, “Who are you calling an ingrate? Look at what you’ve learned over the years! Could you have studied abroad if not for me? Would you have everything you have today?”
Jasmine retorted, “But without my mother, would you have everything you have today? Without my mother’s family and my grandparent’s strong support, the Shelbert family would have been bankrupt long ago. You wouldn’t have been able to become president either.
“Everything you have today is all thanks to my mother. What right do you have to bring Luna and that bastard back to the Shelbert family to hurt my mother?”
“Shut up!” Raymond was livid. He raised his hand and slapped Jasmine across the face.
Jasmine cradled her stinging cheek and glared at Raymond in disbelief. “Dad, you hit me without even asking what happened. That bitch deliberately caused trouble. In fact, she was the one who told Mom, causing her to pass out from anger and be admitted to the hospital. She wanted to kill Mom, and you’re defending her?”
Luna quickly interjected, “Dad, I came to see how Mrs. Shelbert is doing. I mean no harm, but maybe it seemed like I was here to provoke Jasmine. If she dislikes me that much, I’ll stay out of her way in the future. I don’t want to cause any more arguments between you two.”
Raymond frowned and looked at Luna. “Why are you apologizing when you did nothing wrong? Jasmine has been spoiled as the only daughter of the Shelbert family for too long. It’s time she learned some manners and controlled her bad temper.”
Mia stepped forward and held onto Jasmine. She wasn’t surprised by Luna’s manipulative act to drive a wedge between Jasmine and her father.
Jasmine, having never been treated so unfairly before, lost her composure when she saw Luna’s smug expression. “Dad, did I say anything wrong earlier? Or are you just too afraid to admit that your current position is all due to my grandparents’ support?”
Chapter 1050
“Jasmine, if you dare utter nonsense again, I’ll send you abroad instantly. You’ll never set foot here again,” Raymond threatened.
“Is sending me away the only solution you can think of? This time, I won’t yield or surrender. I refuse to allow that woman and her illegitimate child to return to the Shelbert family. They will never receive any of our money,” Jasmine retorted firmly.
Raymond boiled with rage. “Why are you acting like this, Jasmine? Luna is also my daughter. I get to decide whether or not she receives the Shelbert family’s assets. You have no right to interfere or make decisions here.”
Luna couldn’t hide her satisfaction upon hearing this. Her efforts to set up the ploy and receive a slap from Jasmine weren’t futile after all. Trading a slap for an opportunity to inherit the family fortune wasn’t a bad deal at all.
Luna immediately grabbed Raymond’s arm with a look of concern. “Dad, please don’t be angry. Don’t let me disrupt the family’s harmony.”
Next, Luna shifted her gaze to Jasmine. “Since I was young, my only wish has been to find my father. I’ve always envied others who had dads. Why didn’t I have one? Returning to the Shelbert family is just so that I could be with my family. I’m not after the family fortune. You don’t need to worry that I’ll compete with you on that.”
“Are you hearing yourself, Luna? Do you even believe what you’re saying?”
“Jasmine, what do you need me to do for you to believe me? I don’t want to ruin your relationship with dad because of my return to the Shelbert family. I just want to be with my family. After spending all these years as an orphan, all I’ve wanted is a happy family.”
Jasmine’s expression turned to disgust. “Cut the act. Don’t think I can’t see through your intentions for returning to the Shelbert family. I assure you that you won’t succeed.”
Luna’s eyes flickered with a hint of hatred as she quickly cast her gaze downward. She then turned to Raymond, saying, “Dad, I came to find you because I genuinely want to be with my family. It’s not for money.”
Raymond looked at Jasmine and said, “Look at the difference between you and Luna. She’s more filial, responsible, and caring than you are.”
“Dad, are you praising Luna for her so-called virtues, or is it because she’s agreed to take in that illegitimate child as your grandson? Is having a grandson really that important?”
Jasmine never realized how much her father favored boys over girls. After her mother’s health deteriorated following Jasmine’s birth, she never bore any more children. Raymond had always maintained that he didn’t want more children, let alone a son.
For years, Jasmine had taken Raymond’s words at face value. However, Luna’s arrival with the illegitimate child revealed the truth. Raymond wasn’t indifferent. He was merely hiding his true feelings all along. Raymond’s expression darkened as he warned, “Jasmine, I suggest you stop talking. I’ve decided to revoke your access to your credit cards, effective immediately. Since you’re so competent, don’t come asking me for help.” With that, Raymond turned on his heel and departed in anger.
Luna decided to feign sympathy. “Dad, please don’t be upset with Jasmine. She’s just speaking out of frustration. She didn’t mean what she said.”
Once Raymond had left, Luna turned to Jasmine with a sly grin. “How do you like the little performance I orchestrated for you?”
Chapter 1051
Jasmine was furious. She raised her hand to strike Luna, but Luna grabbed her wrist promptly. “Do you still think you can lay a finger on me? You won’t stand a chance unless I let you!”
“You bitch! You did that on purpose earlier.”
“Yeah, so what? Go on, tell Dad about it and see if he believes you or me.”
“You’re a vicious bitch! Don’t you dare think that you’ve defeated me with your scheme earlier. In your dreams! My dad only got to where he is today because of my grandparents. Do you really think he’d give up on me and my mother for your sake?”
Although Jasmine was infuriated, she firmly believed that Raymond had only been deceived.
Luna yanked Jasmine’s wrist away and snarled, “You’ll see. It’s all your mother’s fault for not being able to give birth to a son when Dad has been yearning for a son all his life. Now that I’m letting him adopt Asher as his grandson, he’ll have a successor.”
“What’s the big deal about a child? If my mom is willing to, she could have a surrogate. Giving my dad ten sons wouldn’t even be a problem, let alone just one. Do you think the little bastard you gave birth to would be of any value by then?”
Luna’s expression changed. If that were truly the case, she’d be in a difficult spot.
But soon, she smiled and said, “Your mom would’ve done it a long time ago if it’s possible. Also, surrogacy is illegal in Nord City. If the mayor’s wife went against the law, wouldn’t it affect the mayor once the public found out? I suppose Dad isn’t that foolish to do something that stupid, right?”
Given Raymond’s obsession with a son, he would’ve arranged for surrogacy ages ago. The fact that he hadn’t done it must mean he had his concerns as well.
Jasmine froze. Indeed, she only brought up the topic of surrogacy out of impulse. Even if Raymond had agreed, Alison wouldn’t have concurred.
Smugly, Luna continued, “Enough, stop being in denial. We can still get along if you just accept my son’s return to the Shelbert family and groom him into the family’s successor. But if you get in my way, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Having come this far, Luna wouldn’t give up easily. She would be a dignified member of the Shelbert family once Asher grew up and inherited everything from them. As the mayor’s daughter, her status would rise by then. She would no longer be the poor girl whom everyone bullied. She vowed to get revenge on those who bullied and looked down on her before.
“Stop daydreaming, Luna! You and your little bastard are only going back to the Shelbert family over my dead body! Forget about it!”
Luna sneered, “Fine. Let’s have it the tough way if you insist. See what happens next.”
“Wait,” Mia suddenly called out to Luna.
Turning back to glance at her smugly, Luna began, “What? Do you have something to say too?”
Mia glanced at Luna’s leg. The spot on her leg which was still bandaged happened to be the exact place of her previous tattoo.
Chapter 1052
What a coincidence for it to be the same spot. Did Luna hurt her ankle?
Withdrawing her gaze subtly, Mia looked at Luna. “Nothing. It’s just that I’ve regained my memories from five years ago, and I have some questions for you.” “When did you regain your memories?”
As if she was suddenly reminded of something, Luna shuffled her feet. But remembering that she’d already removed her tattoo, she eased up.
“How does you regaining your memories have anything to do with me?”
She had removed her tattoo, after all. Even if Mia did spot her tattooed ankle back then, the evidence had been destroyed. Mia couldn’t do anything.
“After I regained my memories, I suddenly remembered that I actually saw the culprit who knocked me out.”
Luna’s heart skipped a beat. Did Mia actually see her face? But it wasn’t possible. She was clearly standing behind that woman back then. Mia couldn’t have seen her.
Mia spotted a hint of guilt flashing across Luna’s expression. Something was definitely suspicious with Luna. She must’ve been the one who knocked her out cold in Laura’s bedroom back then.
Laura had always disapproved of Luna’s acquaintance with the Barretts, so getting rid of her was the only way for Luna to return to the Barrett family.
Adjusting her expression, Luna replied, “Is that so? Wasn’t the culprit already arrested? It was your classmate from college, Dana McQueen. Even the police confirmed it.”
“It’s been five years, though. I didn’t expect you to remember the incident clearly Mia said, striding over to inspeet Luna’s ankle. “I remember you have a tattoo on your ankle. Why is it gone now?”