Chapter 54

“I’ve already hired the new guy. He’ll start tomorrow and go through all our security procedures and systems from top to bottom. Once he’s figured out the best process, every branch will follow the same rules. We’ll make sure to get everyone trained before we roll it out p>

Walton gave her a long look. “Dorothea, are you doing this just to make my life harder p>

Dorothea kept her smile steady. “Walton, do you really want to see the company crash and burn? I think it’s time we stopped letting connections and favoritism run this place. Remember how you cleared out all my dad’s old team back then? Same idea, right p>

Walton had nothing to say.

He just let out a cold laugh and left the office.

Both of them knew this was only the beginning. Wyatt was just the first. Walton could sense that bigger changes were coming, and he needed to call a meeting with the other shareholders soon.

Layton tore into Alonzo, yelling until his voice was hoarse. He told Alonzo to go apologize to Dorothea.

Whatever little guilt Alonzo had felt disappeared completely by the time Layton was done.

“I’m not apologizing. You’ll have to break my legs first. If you do, at least I won’t have to go to school this semester,” Alonzo shot back.

Layton spoiled Carola rotten, but when it came to Alonzo, he was way harsher.

He reached for his belt, ready to hit Alonzo, but Elise stepped between them and stopped him.

Elise looked at Alonzo, trying to get a message across. “Alonzo, if you have nothing to do at home, just go to school. Don’t hang around here p>

“Layton, Alonzo is twenty, not three. Treating him like this is humiliating,” Elise said, frowning.

“He cares about dignity?” Layton was shaking with anger. “Then tell me, what are we supposed to do about Dorothea p>

Latham had shown up demanding answers, and Layton couldn’t just ignore it.

Any guilt Elise felt had already faded, replaced by annoyance at all the drama. “Layton, I’ll talk to Dorothea, okay p>

Elise called Dorothea again. This time, Dorothea finally answered.

“Dorothea, where are you? Have you eaten yet p>

Dorothea wasn’t interested in small talk. “Just tell me what you want, Mom. No need

to beat around the bush p>

Elise hesitated, then started,

“Dorothea, Latham told us about you getting docked in the attic. I think it

must have been one of the servants playing a trick it couldn’t have been. Alonzo p>

“Latham came over and questioned us, and your dad thinks Alonzo did it. He almost

hit Alonzo just now. Dorothea, maybe you could talk to Latham for us p>

Dorothea listened quietly, watching the water in her cup grow cold.

“Mom, what if I don’t want to talk to him p>

Elise’s tone turned icy in an instant.

“Dorothea, you should be more understanding of Alonzo, and of me. I already let it go when you snapped at Layton in front of me yesterday. Are you going to give me attitude how too?

Dorothea didn’t cry. She just smiled a little, as if she’d expected this all along.

“Mom, I know it was Alonzo who locked the door. I’m not planning to forgive him p>

“I’ve always known you were biased. I’m your daughter, but you treat Carola like she’s the only one who matters p>

to tell me to be

“Grandpa tried to

patient, that you were just getting

used to a new family. But I knew that

wasn’t it. After everything that’s

happened, it’s obvious to me that after my dad died, you stopped caring about me. I’ve tried to accept it p>

“But you can’t just twist things around and make me the bad guy. You can’t expect

me to forgive you all while I’m the one getting hurt p>

“Sorry, I can’t do it. Don’t worry about Layton apologizing, because I’m not forgiving him anyway p>

“From now on,” Dorothea’s voice was almost a whisper, “we’re not family anymore p>

She was done living for anyone but herself.

Before Elise could say anything else, Dorothea hung up. Then she blocked the entire family from her phone.

They wouldn’t be contacting each other again.