"Mom, I'm begging you. Don't be angry with them, okay?" Alyssa pleaded. Her bags, dresses, and cosmetics depended on their family's shares.

Howard smiled. "Gladys, let's let bygones be bygones. Dad is being very generous this time, giving twenty percent of the shares at once!"

The shares slightly tempted Gladys. Twenty percent was a significant amount of money; when the old man passed away, the company was worth hundreds of millions. "My useless husband, Benjamin, would never make that much money in his entire life," she thought. However, the memory of their past mistreatment and Benjamin's lowly position within the Callahans made her want to cry. She recalled the Callahans taking credit from James and insulting their family yesterday, and Lex expelling them that morning. It infuriated her.

Having decided not to return, they would stand firm. Returning would only lead to ridicule. Gladys was resolute. She didn't want their money; if they were going to be poor, so be it! At least they were free and didn't have to please others.

"Go away," she said firmly, pointing to the door. James lowered his head and continued eating. He never expected Gladys to refuse 20% of the Callahan family shares. This was the Gladys who loved money and insisted Thea divorce him for a richer husband; the same Gladys who knelt before Belinda at the Gourmand entrance.

"Auntie! Why can't you appreciate what's been given?" Tommy was enraged. His grandfather had visited in person and been turned away; now his father was here, and they still rejected him. He was already displeased that Lex offered 20% of the shares, and Gladys's attitude further upset him. "Grandpa isn't begging you to return to the Callahans. He wants Thea! She hasn't said anything yet, so who are you to reject us?"

"Thea is my daughter! I have the final say! Now, are you going to leave or not?!" Gladys shouted, standing up, grabbing a broom, and chasing Howard's family out the door. She slammed the door shut. Outside, Tommy and Mandy cursed angrily. "Dad, did you see that? What kind of attitude is that? Grandpa is giving them twenty percent! What else do they want? They're being greedy!"

"Enough. Let's go," Howard said calmly.

Inside, Gladys felt a pang of regret after chasing them away. The 20% stake was worth 100 million. "Mom, what's wrong with you?" "Mom, think about it! You suffered so much in the Callahans! Our family deserves those shares! How could you refuse? Even if you're not thinking about yourself, think about my future!" David and Alyssa grumbled.

"Alright, stop complaining. Grandpa and Uncle always looked down on our parents. Plus, I've always embarrassed Mom and Dad. Mom finally got back at them, so I agree with her," Thea said.

Gladys glanced at Thea. "Thea's right. Instead of returning to insults and mistreatment, we'll prove ourselves! Aren't they having a grand birthday party? We'll hold a wedding at the House of Royals and make that old man mad!"

"Mom, don't worry! I won't embarrass you again!" Thea vowed.

James smiled. "Mom, you want a better life, but you can't let go of your pride. Don't worry. The Callahans are scared the Celestial Group will terminate their contract with Eternality, so they'll come back for Thea. Stand your ground, and you'll get more from them."

Gladys still felt it was a missed opportunity. "I showed them such attitude. Will they really come back? Should I accept or refuse if they do?"

"You decide," James replied.

"Mom, you have to accept if they come back! I'm begging you!" David knelt. "You incompetents! Look at James; he's poor but has integrity. Look at yourselves, throwing away your dignity for money!"

"Didn't you do the same in the past?"

David stood up, muttering, "What did you say? I dare you to say it again!"

Gladys stood, her voice rising. She tugged David's ear. "You're getting bolder, aren't you?"

"Mom, calm down. David is thinking of everyone. What will we eat without the Callahans?" Alyssa said quickly.

"We aren't going back even if we starve! Find jobs if you have working hands and legs! We won't starve!" Gladys scolded them, firm in her decision.