Chapter 82: A Deal with the Devil
“Summer, love means demanding what you want without shame, not waiting pitifully for handouts. You look ridiculous right now, like a pathetic beggar.”
With that, Margaret turned and left, leaving Summer red-faced with humiliation.
“Oh, yeah, I almost forgot, compared to the laptop in your hand, this amethyst necklace on my neck is worth $110,000.”
“Hahahaha…”
The memory still stung Summer, even though she no longer needed the Stewart family’s charity. But words like that still triggered her sensitivity.
A flash of hurt crossed Summer’s eyes; her voice was weak. “I’m not… I don’t want anything right now.”
Fraser noticed the emotion in her gaze. Why was he, a man, fussing over this? Fraser sighed and pulled her into his arms.
“Summer, a reward is a gift from a boss to a subordinate, while a gift is a man giving a woman a token of his sincerity.”
Summer’s heart warmed, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. That was something no one had ever told her.
Peyton heard from Josh that Trevor was in the hospital and panicked. She’d made chicken soup and was about to take it to the hospital to see him. At the door, she ran into Diana Smith, dressed in a sleek designer dress, with a tall bodyguard in a suit behind her. Diana was Peyton’s biological father’s lawful wife, Simon Smith. Peyton’s biological mother had been a mistress, and she is a hostess. That’s why Peyton had never been acknowledged by the Smith family. Diana had made sure of that, tormenting her for years.
Hostility flashed in Peyton’s eyes as she glared at the woman. “What are you doing here?”
Diana stood tall, exuding wealth and superiority. She eyed Peyton’s gray dress, with a knitted jacket around the skirt.
Diana received news that Trevor of the Larson family had gone to great lengths to find a heart donor for Peyton, curing her illness. Seeing her now, radiant and elegant, it was clear the rumors were true. Diana knew that it was all thanks to Trevor’s indulgence. So, the gossip in Havenbrook was right; Peyton was his favorite.
The news of Marc Gerbers entering the domestic market had caused a stir, and every major retail and luxury group in Havenbrook was vying for a piece of the action. The Smith family, with their luxury malls, was no exception. Diana had learned that Marc Gerbers’ director was close friends with the Larson family, specifically Trevor. That meant if Trevor was willing to make an introduction, securing Marc would be a breeze.
That’s when Diana thought of Peyton, the illegitimate daughter of her husband, Simon. Once considered a disgrace to the family, perhaps she could be leveraged to approach Trevor and secure Marc Gerbers’ entry into the Smith family’s luxury mall. That was why Diana stood here today.
Diana’s eyes narrowed. “Is that how you speak to your elders? You should call me Mother.”
Peyton laughed, but her eyes were red with fury, her whole person cold as ice. “Mother? Did I hear that right, or did you misspeak? You used to wish I’d drop dead. You looked at me like I was a fly. Now you want me to call you Mother? Did you take the wrong medication today, Diana?”
Diana had always despised Peyton and her mother, using every trick to keep them down. And Peyton’s father, Simon, was under her thumb, turning a blind eye to Peyton’s suffering. She was a Smith by blood but lived worse than a dog. If not for Trevor, she’d have died long ago. That’s why she was determined to hold onto Trevor.
Diana didn’t waste time. Her time was money, after all. She was here for business.
“Marc Gerbers is coming to the U.S., and the Smith family—you know we run luxury malls—you need to ask Trevor to introduce us to Marc Gerbers’ director, so they’ll set up in our malls.”
Peyton’s face flushed with anger. “Why should I help you? I hate you, hate everyone in the Smith family. Do you think I’m stupid?”
“Why?” Diana remained lofty. “Ask yourself. You may hate us, but you’ve always wanted Simon to acknowledge you, to claim your place as a Smith heiress, haven’t you?”
“I don’t…”
“I don’t have a father like that!”