Chapter 141
Aubree glanced around; everyone else was here except for Trevor.
A triumphant smile tugged at Aubree’s lips. She was truly overjoyed at the mere thought of finally severing all ties with the Wilson family. Aubree wished she could pop open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Aubree said, “Since you’re all here, I want you to pay close attention and remember what happens next. No backing out this time.”
The Wilson family was completely baffled, unable to fathom what stunt Aubree could possibly pull next.
Aubree nodded to the two lawyers she had brought. “These are attorneys I’ve retained, Tamid and Hamish. As for this gentleman—”
Aubree turned her gaze to Caesar. “He wasn’t retained by me, but I’m sure you’ve heard of his reputation, Caesar Valdez, chief legal counsel for the Turner Group. Of course, I hope things won’t escalate to the point where Caesar needs to intervene.”
Following Aubree’s introductions, the three attorneys offered a brief, professional greeting to the assembled Wilsons.
Upon hearing that all three were lawyers – one of whom was none other than the Turner Group’s undefeated chief legal counsel – Caesar, Alice, and the others exchanged uneasy glances.
Ronald stared at Aubree. “What do you mean?” he demanded, a sudden suspicion dawning. ‘Has she discovered my attempt to transfer her documents from the orphanage?’ he wondered.
“Nothing much,” Aubree shrugged. “Since I’m leaving for good, I might as well sever all other ties completely.” She produced a document from her pocket, the very severance agreement Ronald had personally signed last time.
She continued, “This is the severance agreement you signed at the hospital last time. You haven’t forgotten about it, have you, Ronald?”
“This agreement isn’t legally binding yet. The first thing I’ll do now that I’m back is to make it legally valid. From this moment onward, I hereby sever all legal parent–child ties with you and Alice.”
The moment those words left her lips, the entire Wilson family froze, completely dumbfounded. It had never crossed their minds that Aubree would actually go through with this legal severance this time.
Ronald was too stunned to even react to Aubree’s blatant disrespect in calling him by his name.
‘How dare she sever ties with me? This isn’t some empty threat. She’s brought lawyers to legally dissolve our blood ties once and for all,’ he wondered.
With that, Aubree took another document from Tamid. “Secondly, it’s about our adoptive relationship. When you took me from the orphanage, you publicly declared it was an adoption.”
“I was never registered under the Wilson family name, nor did I change my surname, but the official adoption procedures at the orphanage were completed.
“Now that I’m transferring my documents, sign this document. From this moment onward, I will no longer be considered the Wilson family’s adopted daughter – not in name, not in law, not in any way.”
A collective gasp swept through the Wilson family. “Transferring your documents?”
Emery was both shocked and heartbroken. ‘Is Aubree really rejecting us as family?’ he thought. ‘Wasn’t severing our blood ties enough – now she wants to dissolve the adoption too?’
“Why?” Emery cried out, heartbroken.
‘Why are you leaving the Wilson family? Why are you rejecting your family?’ Emery cried out inwardly, his voice breaking with pain.
Emery clutched Aubree’s hand desperately, his eyes brimming with anguish as he pleaded, “Aubree, aren’t we family? Please, don’t do this. Now that you’re back, isn’t it better for us to stay together as a family?”
Emery was begging her not to leave.
Aubree lowered her eyelids, her gaze cold as she watched his desperate plea. Just like all those times she’d begged them not to choose Carmen…
Bryan’s voice choked with emotion. “Aubree, you’re our sister, Mom and Dad’s daughter. Where could you possibly transfer your documents to? We’ve realized our past mistakes. Won’t you give us a chance?”
“Absolutely not.” Aubree yanked her hand free from Emery’s grasp. “Why am I cutting ties with you? Don’t pretend you don’t know."