Chapter 198

“What?” Brittany gasped, her face paling. Gregory’s fury had exploded, aimed squarely at her. He was kicking her out.

She’d been a Sullivan for as long as she could remember. The family’s daughter, even if adopted. And now, this?

Christina, still reeling from the sting of his slap, jumped to her feet. “Are you insane? Brittany’s our daughter!”

“She’s not,” Gregory roared. “My daughter is Paisley. Brittany’s adopted. I’ve fulfilled my obligations. She leaves.” Brittany’s voice trembled. This wasn't anger; it was cold calculation. The thought terrified her. Without the Sullivans, she was nothing.

Christina clawed at him. “You’re heartless! Brittany’s been here for us, always. Paisley’s done nothing!”

Gregory struck her again, harder this time. “Paisley hasn’t contributed?” he snarled, exhaustion lacing his voice. “Everything we have—this house, everything—comes from Dominick, because of Paisley!” He stared at Christina, utterly drained. Didn’t she see? Protecting the family’s assets was paramount.

Christina stared, stunned. “You’re the most selfish one,” she spat. “You only liked Brittany because she brought you pride. Now Paisley’s useful, so Brittany’s discarded.”

Gregory didn’t deny it. “You’re one to talk,” he snapped. “How many times did I tell you to treat Paisley better? You accused her of competing with Brittany, threw a plate at her! Do you know the damage you’ve caused? Three major clients are gone. Vanderbilt’s dropped us. We’re bankrupt!”

The word hung in the air, sharp and final. Christina’s comfortable world crumbled. Brittany went deathly pale. She hadn’t realized their actions had pushed the family to the brink.

“But Brittany’s our daughter!” Christina insisted.

“Paisley is my biological daughter,” Gregory thundered. “Brittany is not.”

Brittany’s anger flared. This was it—the reason she loathed Paisley. As long as Paisley existed, Brittany would always be ‘adopted.’

“No! Brittany is—” Christina began.

“One more word, and you’re out too!” Gregory bellowed, his eyes blazing.

Christina recoiled, silent.

“Nothing will change my mind,” Gregory said, his voice cold. “Brittany leaves.” He walked out, unable to face their tears. He’d raised Brittany, loved her, but the Sullivan empire's survival was paramount. “Get Brittany’s things packed. She leaves now.” He left, ignoring their pleas.

The next day, Lucy thrust a tablet at Paisley. “Ms. Sutton, you have to see this.”

Paisley, weary from meeting deadlines, glanced at the screen. It was a statement from the Sullivan Group’s Instagram account. Paisley raised an eyebrow. “Sullivan Group has an Instagram?”

The statement declared Brittany and Gregory’s adoption was terminated. And it tagged Nion. Nion was Gregory’s biological daughter.

The statement, tagging both Brittany and Nion, exploded online. One a top screenwriter, the other a recent laughingstock. Ironically, Nion wrote Brittany’s show. The news went viral.

Paisley remained indifferent. If Gregory had done this when she first returned, she would have been ecstatic. Now, it felt…ironic. Gregory’s call came in. He was trying to save himself, playing on Paisley’s dislike of Brittany. Paisley answered. She wanted to see how far he'd go.