Chapter 602

No longer bothering to spare Lauren another glance, she took Juliet’s arm and hurried away, her voice filled with a newfound tenderness and anticipation. “My Ana is coming back. I need to get her room ready
The stark contrast in her behavior was like a knife twisting in Lauren’s heart. But no matter how ugly Lauren’s expression became, her grandmother didn’t look back. Her heart was now completely devoted to her true granddaughter, Anastasia, leaving no room for Lauren.
The old man had little more to say. He glanced at Penny and then addressed Lauren directly. “Out of respect for the years you’ve spent with this family, I’ll allow your aunt a shred of dignity. Tell her to pack her things and leave on her own. It would be better than being thrown out.”
With that, he walked away. Murray Brennan shot Lauren a final look before following his father. Winni Brennan, for her part, was entirely focused on her newly awakened son.
“Mr. Brennan Penny cried in panic, chasing after them and grabbing Lauren’s arm. “Lauren, you have to talk to them for me! I’ve been with the Brennans for so many years. How can they just kick me out like this?”
Lauren’s face was a mask of despair. She yanked her arm away, her voice a low, dark hiss. “Do you really think they’ll listen to a word I say right now?” If her words had any power left, she would have used them to save herself.
“But you’re still the heir to Health Virtuoso
The heir to Health Virtuoso? *Ha!*
Remembering the look of shock and profound satisfaction on the Brennans’ faces when they looked at Anastasia, Lauren felt the blood turn to ice in her veins. Could she even hold on to that position now?
*No*, she thought, a spark of defiance igniting within her. She couldn’t just accept this fate. She had to find a way out…
***
Meanwhile, Murray followed Mr. Brennan into the study.
“Dad, it’s time to change the heir, isn’t it?” Murray asked, getting straight to the
point. “You saw Ana’s abilities for yourself. Lauren is no match for her!”
“Weren’t you worried about next year’s competition? You thought Lauren lacked the experience for to place well. But if Anastasia competes, it’s a completely different story The Brennanname vibe at the top of the winners’ list, guaranteed!” he pressed on. “Besides, she wasn’t responsible for what happened to Benson. In fact, she saved his life twice
Murray no longer had any reservations about his niece; he was filled with pride, shame, and a deep, gnawing regret for how they had neglected her for so many years.
If he felt this way, his father surely felt it more acutely. The old man sat staring at a photograph of his deceased daughter on the desk looking as if he had aged a decade in a single day. He listened to Murray’s impassioned words in silence, finally murmuring, “Let me think about it.”
The answer made Murray frown. *Think about it?* What was there to think about?
It was painfully obvious who the rightful heir should be. Why was his father hesitating?
Puzzled, Murray left the study.
***
The next day, Penny packed her things and left the Brennan estate, her face ashen with defeat. Though she walked out on her own two feet, everyone knew the truth: she had been thrown out.
A maid who brought her last bag to the door tossed it onto the driveway. “Good riddance.”
Penny had always lorded her
position over the staff, ordering
them about arrogantly. Now, finally she was gone Facing such
insolence from servants she Dıscover more novels at
considered beneath her was a new
and jarring experience.
“How dare you treat me like this!” she shrieked.
The maids simply laughed. “Why shouldn’t we? Who do you think you are
anymore?”