Chapter 514
“Thank you, Bethel. Really,” Christina replied earnestly.
Bethel shook her head, amusement dancing in her expression. “There’s no need to thank me. If you have what it takes to win it back, then it’s yours to claim. In this world, everything comes down to competition. What you end up with depends entirely on what you’re capable of. If my descendants can’t hang on to the family fortune, then they have only themselves to blame. It’s simple. Those who can’t protect what’s theirs are just like kids flashing valuables in a busy market. Sooner or later, someone’s going to snatch it away.”
With a gentle pat, Bethel gave Christina’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “I’d much rather you secure everything than let it fall into the wrong hands. I’m relieved by how things turned out today. Good thing I set my will in order long ago. Otherwise, they would take advantage of you. When the time is right, the Dawson family mansion will be yours. I promise, you won’t be left with nothing.”
A wave of gratitude washed over Christina as she gazed at Bethel. “You’ve done so much for me, Bethel. You saved my life once, and ever since, you’ve always protected me, never asking for anything in return…”
“You’ve always been a decent, good girl, Christina. I’ll admit, I do have a selfish reason. I can’t bear the thought of my descendants ending up with financial ruin,” Bethel said with blunt honesty.
Christina’s eyes shone with resolve. “Don’t worry, I’ll never go back on my word.”
“I trust you,” Bethel said simply.
“All you need to do is focus on getting better. Leave the rest to me,” Christina replied, her voice firm.
With a relieved nod, Bethel agreed. “Alright.”
Meanwhile, outside the gates of the Wright family’s estate, Katie and her family arrived to find Thea and her family already gathered, waiting.
The Wright family kept an exceptionally low profile. Most people in Dorfield barely knew they lived in this town.
“Thea—” Katie started to greet her, but Thea cut her off with a slap, the sound sharp and sudden.
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Joselyn flew into a rage, surging forward to defend her daughter. “What gives you the right to hit Katie?”
“Oh? Haven’t Katie told you?” Thea shot back, her glare simmering with anger and arrogance.
Joselyn, stung by the disrespect from someone so much younger, shifted her scowl toward Grant and Martha. “So this is what passes for discipline in the Reed household? You let your children act this rudely?”
Martha sneered. “And what if it is? What are you going to do about it? The Dawsons don’t even come close to measuring up to my family. We could walk all over you if we wished.”
Joselyn sputtered in outrage, turning away from Martha and fixing Grant with an imploring look. She refused to believe he’d let things unfold in this way. “Mr. Reed, are you really going to stand by while the women in your family behave so arrogantly? Don’t you worry about offending the wrong people and dragging the Reed family name through the mud in Dorfield?”
Grant shot Joselyn a sharp glare, a scowl etched on his face. “That’s rich coming from you! If your daughter hadn’t crossed the wrong people and dragged my daughter into her mess, my family never would have ended up on the Wright family’s bad side.”
“What do you mean by that?” Confused, Joselyn turned toward Katie. “What is he even talking about, Katie?”