Chapter 167

Emmalie cowered behind Thea, feigning weakness and innocence, but her eyes blazed with malice. "What right does she have to be so smug?" she hissed. "Thea, you have everything now. You plan to use Nicolas against the Rowland family. What else do you want? Even if you resent me, you can't ignore your brothers and mother!"

Thea sat down, her tone frigid. "Interesting. Where did I get a brother and mother? I'm an orphan. Who would believe my biological family tried to break my legs to force a marriage? My leg is fine," she added, gesturing towards her dress hem.

Emmalie turned away, her expression unsightly.

"Enough!" Ivy barked, exiting with a complex expression. "Thea, what do you want? Must I kneel and apologize?"

Thea shook her head. "No. Even if you gave me the Rowland family, I wouldn't forgive you. I bear the closest resemblance to you, Ivy. Seeing your cold, emotionless face" Ivy winced, not from guilt, but incomprehension and helplessness.

"If you hadn't been so disobedient, we wouldn't have resorted to such extremes," Ivy said. "What else do you want?"

Thea ignored her, slamming her phone on the table. A magnified photo of Emmalie at a banquet was displayed. Emmalie's eyes flickered at the caption.

Duncan reacted first, self-righteously. "The media reported it. What could we do? Grandpa Joshua's inheritance was for everyone. Why should you monopolize it? He'd scold you!"

Thea replied sarcastically, "Grandpa Joshua wouldn't scold me. He'd loathe what you've done far more than I do."

Ivy laid her cards on the table. "Everyone thought the inheritance should be split equally. If you think it's unfair, how about fifty percent?"

"Mom!" Duncan protested. "We didn't plan this!"

For once, Emmalie didn't side with Duncan. "Mom chose this way so Thea would let go of her grudges and come home."

"Thea," Emmalie began, wiping away crocodile tears. "If you return, I'll move out. If you don't want to see me, I'll leave. I'll even leave Key Biscayne."

Duncan, agitated, almost berated Thea. "You're a jinx! Are you only satisfied when everyone's unhappy?"

Thea shrugged. "You've arranged everything for me. You're certain it was my idea, as if I held a knife to Emmalie and Mrs. Rowland's throats!"

Ivy looked at Duncan disapprovingly. "Duncan, let's discuss this properly. Thea isn't unreasonable." She turned to Thea expectantly. "You're still considering it, right?" Ivy's eagerness and calculation were evident. Thea might have believed Ivy wanted her return, if not for that. Ivy was likely threatened by Corey and had to sacrifice a daughter—but not Emmalie.

Thea stared at Ivy. "I don't want fifty percent. I want it all. Only then will I return. Is that okay?"

Ivy's face darkened. "Thea, don't be overbearing."

Thea retorted, "Overbearing? Compared to what you've done?"

Ivy couldn't refute her. She nodded. "Alright, I promise. As long as you return, I'll promise you anything."

"Mom, what are you doing?!" Emmalie exclaimed. "Are you crazy?" Duncan stared at Ivy in disbelief.

Thea knew Ivy planned to abandon her. "Sorry, I've sworn I won't return."

Ivy's attitude hardened. "Fine. There's nothing more to discuss."

"Who wants to discuss it?" Thea retorted. "I'm here to reclaim what's mine."

Ivy sneered. "You're dreaming. We have the things your grandfather left you. Do you have proof he willed them to you? I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it. You won't get anything."

"Prove the will's legality," Thea challenged. Ivy was well-prepared; the lawyer was likely controlled. Only the Rowland family knew about this matter. Grandpa, worried before his passing, hired a lawyer to witness and sign a contract to prevent such disputes. But the Rowland family aimed to swallow everything.

Thea slammed her cup on the ground, shattering it. "Are you sure you have everything under control?"

Ivy, startled, smiled. "Child, a mother knows her daughter best. Obey me, and you'll still be my good daughter."