Chapter 371
‘No, that’s not what I mean!” Lucia thought, her face turning ashen, panic surging
She’d only been talking big. She had no real intention of spending money on Audrey. In fact, she’d been hoping to grab a few bags for herself
‘How did things go so sideways that I’m on the hook for the bill? This has to be a joke. Surely it’s a joker she thought.
‘Amelia didn’t expect me to show up when she brought the bags. If I’d stayed away, Amelia would’ve paid without a second thought
‘Audrey must be trying to fluster me, make me lose my cool in front of Amelia and look ridiculous!
‘That little troublemaker. I will set her straight once Amelia leaves. How could she not tell who’s truly her closest family member?
After calming herself down, Lucia took a seat and piped up now and then, pointing out bags she liked and telling the staff to hold them aside.
Once all of Amelia’s bags had been shown, the dozen or so that Audrey had pre–picked were displayed again..
Amelia argued Audrey should keep every single one. “Bags aren’t just for carrying stuff. They’re statement pieces. You need different styles to match different outfits.”
Audrey had once been partial to backpacks for their practicality, perfect for days when she needed her hands free.
But with the babies coming, her focus would shift to baby gear.
Yann had already arranged a childcare team, so the odds of Audrey heading out alone with all three kids were practically zero. But if she did take one child out, a couple of large bags would do.
Amelia wasn’t convinced. “Even if the nannies take the babies out, they’ll need to carry supplies.” She selected two roomy tote bags, each in three colors for easy labeling, plus two large designer bags for Audrey and two trendy seasonal styles.
Who said mothers couldn’t stay stylish?
As the staff logged the styles and serial numbers of the ten bags, Lucia quietly added two bags she picked, asking for them to be included in the
inventory.
The worker looked at Amelia, who nodded approvingly.
“The more the merrier,” her expression said.
It took the staff about an hour to tidy up the living room, load the remaining bags into the car, and finally hand the bill to Amelia.
Amelia glanced at it and pushed it toward Lucia. “Credit card or cash?”
Lucia stared at Audrey, bewildered.
“You said you’d cover whatever I picked,” Audrey said, resting a hand on her belly. “The babies and I all thank you.”
‘Who needs thanks from the babies?‘ Lucia thought ‘Amelia’s the one who should be paying for this, not me!‘
Amelia slid the bill closer. “What, were all those claims about caring for Audrey just a show? Were you pretending for my sake?”
Lucia’s face went pale. “O–of course not.”
Amelia said, “I didn’t think so. You’re Audrey’s mother. Your connection to her has to be stronger than mine as her ex–mother–in–law.
“After all those years of neglect, you wouldn’t hold back over a few bags, would you? By the way, how much did you give for her wedding fund?”
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Chapter 371
‘Wedding fund?‘ Lucia thought. I’m her mother in law. Why would I contribute to her wedding?
Besides, even though Audrey was younger, she controlled the Winifred family’s finances.
During wedding preparations, Lucia hadn’t offered a fund, and Audrey hadn’t asked. The matter had quietly been left unaddicted
No outsiders knew that, as Audrey’s biological mother and mother–in–law, she hadn’t contributed a single penny to the wedding fund
Now confronted by Amelia’s question, Lucia felt her face burn with embarrassment.
Amelia turned to Audrey, who dropped her gaze with a faint smile and said, “We’re family. Money just shifts between us.”
The real reason she hadn’t asked was what Lucía had done to George. She’d never regarded Lucia as her mother since then
When she’d returned to Ashbourne, she’d planned to gather evidence against her, and then came the struggle for StellarCore, followed by her pregnancy.
Now that things were coming to light, after the babies were born, she’d settle this debt thoroughly.
Seeing that Audrey didn’t criticize her in front of Amelia and even made excuses for her, Lucia nodded eagerly.
She said, “Yes, exactly! All the Winifred family’s assets will belong to her and the babies eventually.”
“Fine in theory, but refusing to even go through the motions shows a lack of sincerity! Amelia said, shaking her head disapprovingly.
“Don’t hide behind ‘someday‘ or ‘the future. No one can predict what will happen next. If you don’t give Audrey what’s hers now, what if an investment tanks? She could end up with nothing!”
Amelia took Audrey’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Amelia went on, “Honestly, you should give her what’s rightfully hers. If she has a head for business, she might turn it into a fortune. And if she succeeds, isn’t that good for the family too? If you ever come up short, do you think she’d refuse to help?
“If she can’t cut it and the project loses money, that’s on her. She can’t complain about bad luck, right?”
Audrey nodded. She knew Amelia was sticking up for her.
No matter how underhanded Lucia was, the fact that she was her mother couldn’t be erased. If Audrey snapped at her in public, outsiders who didn’t know the truth would only blame her.
Amelia’s position was different.
As Logan’s ex–wife and Yann’s mother, she was both Audrey’s former and current mother–in–law.
When she fought for Audrey’s interests, no one could find fault.
At worst, they’d praise how Amelia, the ex–mother–in–law, cared for Audrey while criticizing Lucia, the biological mother, for scheming against her
daughter.
Certain things could only be said by Amelia.
Lucia felt her face flush with embarrassment. She felt like she could’ve dug a hole in the ground and disappeared.
“No, no, that’s not…” she mumbled.
Amelia ignored Lucia’s flushed then pale face and immediately pulled out her phone to call Logan.
She roared, “Logan, you two–faced hypocrite, I can’t believe I ever trusted you!”
“What’s going on?” Logan asked.
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Chapter 371
He had been in a good mood, planning to do a quick check at the company when Amelia’s angry firade Nit him out of nowherd-
Amelia snapped, “You suggested picking out bags for Audrey to use when she’s out with the babies, right? Well, the sezand I got to Milliest Gardar sent your wife to keep an eye on me. What’s your deal?”
Both Logan and Lucia were speechless.
Amelia went on, “You two make me sick. Audrey’s wedding was a rushed mess, and I didn’t follow up like I should have, but now I find out you just talked her into marrying into your family with empty words!
“Everything will be the kids‘ someday? Who are you kidding? Did you bring Audrey here to be your slave? Do you think you’re royal with a crown to pass
down?
“Let me tell you. If you don’t make this right with Audrey, your business is finished. You might as well close up your company”
Before Logan could get a word in, Amelia unloaded everything in one breath and hung up.
“I’ll tell Richard to deal with it. Logan’s lucky I’m not breaking both his legs,” she snarled, storming out with her team.
Lucia stood there in a daze. She’d always treated Logan like her whole world, never daring to speak out of turn or act without first gauging his mood.
She’d never seen anyone confront Logan like that.
The blaring phone ring jolted her back to reality.
It was Logan, calling nonstop.
He needed to know what had happened. After all, Lucia had asked him for money specifically as Audrey’s wedding fund.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
