Chapter 189
Maelis' face paled, then flushed crimson. Rage surged through her. โWhat kind of mother are you?โ she shrieked. โIโm your daughter, and yet you defend the person who ruined my family! Do you have any idea what my life is like now?โ
โMom, please, thatโs enough,โ Yosef pleaded.
โShut up, you idiot!โ Donald snapped at Maelis.
They were stunned. Maelis was having a complete meltdown. Even with Henry and Sofia present, sheโd lost all control. It was shockingly reckless.
โLet her speak,โ Sofia said, her gaze icy and unwavering as it locked onto Maelis, who was venting her grievances. โI want to hear exactly how unhappy she is with us.โ
That cold, steady stare sent a jolt of panic through Maelis. A terrifying feeling that she was about to lose everything washed over her.
โSofia, donโt take Maelisโ words seriously. Sheโs not herself right now,โ Donald interjected quickly, forcing a placating smile. He recognized the disappointment in Sofiaโs eyes. โSheโs not thinking straight. Let me take her home. Iโll bring her back to apologize once sheโs calmed down.โ
Without even glancing at Zinnia, Donald grabbed Maelisโ arm to pull her away. Rage simmered inside him as he mentally berated her stupidity.
Last time he told her to mend fences with the Lynn family, but she attacked Jackson instead. Heโd never imagined Maelis could be this stupid. She couldnโt see what was right in front of her.
Since the Lynn family pulled their investment, the Shaw family had struggled badly. They couldnโt afford to sever ties completely, not yet.
The Lynn family were already losing patience, and now Maelis caused another public scene. People were staring, hungry for drama. What an idiot! Donald shot her a furious glare.
โLet go of me! Was anything I said wrong?โ Maelis yelled, wincing at the pain in her wrist. His icy stare sent chills down her spine.
She knew he must be complaining about her again. But after enduring so much lately, she was also on the verge of breaking down.
Everyone was against her. She couldnโt take it anymore. Wrenching her arm free, she pointed an accusing finger first at Zinnia, then at Sofia.
โShe only has your support because sheโs my daughter,โ Maelis raged. โShe ruined my life. Whatโs wrong with slapping her? Sheโs a jinx. I never brought her home. I shouldโve left her rotting in that small town forever.โ
โAnd you two!โ Her finger jabbed towards Henry and Sofia. โYouโre just as bad. Senile fools! You donโt deserve to be parents!โ
Sofia caught the venom in Maelisโ words, a cold dread settling in her bones.
โYou claim Zinnia gained our support because sheโs your daughter. But what about you? Didnโt the Shaw family build your entire fortune by clinging to the Lynn family?โ She felt sheโd raised a viper.
โThatโs completely different! Iโm your daughter. The Lynn family should support me!โ Maelis screamed.
Sofia locked eyes with Maelis. โYou are not my daughter.โ The words exploded like a bomb. Silence choked the room.
Sofia sat on the stool Jackson brought. Her quiet authority washed over Maelis. โDo you truly believe we have wronged you?โ
โMom, what do you mean?โ Panic seized Maelis as she choked out the word hoarsely, her bloodshot eyes wide and confused.
Sofia spoke slowly but firmly, โMaelis, you think we care for Zinnia because sheโs your daughter, donโt you? Let me be clear: weโd cherish Zinnia regardless of her connection to you.
โThe truth is, you were never Henryโs and my biological child. In fact, the Shaw family exploited the Lynn family more than anyone.โ
Chapter 189
Henry gripped Sofiaโs hand, his face tense with worry. She gave a slight, reassuring shake of her head.
Actually, Maelis wasnโt a Lynn by blood. She was the daughter of Sofiaโs childhood friend. Shortly after her birth, her parents died in a car accident. Heartbroken for the orphan, Sofia took Maelis in and raised her as her own.
Later, Maelis married Donald. When Donald wanted to start a business, the Lynn family fully funded his ventures. They never imagined sheโd resent them over Jackson withdrawing supportโshowing no gratitude for decades of generosity.
Sofia was deeply disappointed in Maelis. Since this was how she felt and their kindness meant so little to her, it was time for the truth. And from this moment on, she would have no connection with them.
The revelation stunned everyoneโeven Zinnia. Only Jackson stayed calm. Heโd known the truth.
Not long ago, after Maelis came to him for help, Henry and Sofia told him the truth. They made it clear: there were no blood relations between Maelis and them. If she ever crossed the line, he shouldnโt hesitate to cut ties.
The Shaw family gaped, unprepared for the bombshell. Sofiaโs grave expression confirmed this was no joke.
Donald glared daggers at Maelis. This fool had just lost her Lynn family standing.
Actually, the Shaw family hadnโt hit rock bottom yet. While the Lynn familyโs withdrawal was seen as a family dispute, other businesses hesitated to act, fearing lingering connections.
But Maelisโ outburst changed everything. The Lynn family publicly disowned her. In this opportunistic business circle where everyone followed the prevailing wind, the Shaw family now faced genuine peril.
โNo! That canโt be true!โ Maelis gasped. โIโm your daughter. Momโฆ Dadโฆ Iโm sorry. Please donโt cast me out.โ
She stumbled forward, desperate to grab Sofiaโs hand.
Raised by the Lynn family, sheโd assumed their support was her right. She felt entitled to vent like a child. But now, she was told she wasn't their daughter.
Anger without restraintโparents should always endure.
The Lynn name had shielded Maelis for years, and she knew exactly how much benefit it had brought her. Sofiaโs words meant disownment. A wave of sheer terror crashed over her.
She also had feelings for the Lynn family who had raised her. However, at this moment, the dread of losing status and facing humiliation overshadowed everything.
Sofia watched Maelisโ tear-streaked face, heart heavy. Sheโd truly raised her as her own. But as Maelis begged, Sofia stayed silent, lips pressed tight.
โMom, Iโm your daughter! Are you really siding with the person who ruined my family?โ Maelis lunged, but Isaac stepped between them.