99.4 % Chapter 200 Chapter 200 The woman was indeed Margret . But she was unrecognizable from her former self . In all their previous encounters , Margret had been the epitome of wealth - draped in designer clothes or handcrafted silk dresses , adorned with carefully selected jewelry , her hair styled to perfection . The walking embodiment of old money . Today , she matched Katie''s description perfectly - startlingly in .


    No makeup , her face drawn and haggard , skin with an unhealthy yellow tinge , dark circles prominent beneath her eyes . She wore a simple gray outfit that could havee from any department store . She looked like any ordinary middle - aged suburban mom , with no trace of her former sophistication . The Ashcroft empire had truly crumbled . Even image - obsessed Margret had been reduced to this state . Thalia felt a flicker of satisfaction . How the mighty had fallen .


    She walked deliberately toward Margret . Seeing Thalia , Margret rushed forward , reaching desperately for her arm only to be firmly blocked by na . " Thalia , please , " Margret begged , her former arrogancepletely evaporated . " You have to help us save Ashcroft Group . The Winters family has the resources - if you''d just invest , I''ll do absolutely anything you ask ! " Thalia couldn''t suppress augh . " Anything I ask ? " " Yes , yes . " Margret nodded frantically .


    " Whatever you want . Please help us . We''repletely ruined . Howard''s in the hospital from stress , Drake''s drinking himself to death . Our family is falling apart - we''re barely holding on . " Thalia regarded her with cool amusement . " And what exactly could you possibly do for me ? " Margret faltered , caught off - guard . What could she offer Thalia ? She hadn''t thought that far . In her desperation , she''d made promises without considering what they might entail .


    " I … couldn''t you do it for Drake''s sake ? " Margret tried . " After all , you were together for three years . You loved each 13:16 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.5 % Chapter 200 other once , Can you really stand by and watch him destroy himself ? " Mentioning Drake was exactly the wrong move , " Mrs. Ashcroft , " Thalia said , her tone making the title sound like an insult . Margret winced visibly .


    The once - proud designation now felt like mockery , Thalia had intended exactly that . With a cold smile , Thalia asked , " Mrs. Ashcroft , do you remember what you said to me the first time we met ? " Margret''s face drained of color . She remembered perfectly . When Sienna had returned from abroad , Margret had been determined to orchestrate a marriage between her and Drake .


    Upon learning Drake had a girlfriend of three years - someone without the " right " background or connections - she''d been determined to eliminate thepetition . So she''d confronted Thalia and humiliated her mercilessly . " A girl like you thinking she could marry into the Ashcroft family ? " she''d sneered . She''d assumed Thalia was with Drake solely for financial gain .


    She''d believed Thalia was just another gold - digger dreaming of a wealthy husband , someone who could never truly belong in their world . Her words had dripped with contempt : " You don''t have to pretend with me . I know exactly what you''re after . I understand my son is attractive to girls like you . Finding a wealthy heir like him doesn''t happen every day . He must have spent a fortune on you . " " Let''s drop the act .


    You im you don''t care about money , but if that were true , why chase after Drake in the first ce ? " " Let me make this perfectly clear : the Ashcroft family doesn''t wee just anyone . Marrying Drake ? Not in this lifetime ! " " Sienna is my choice for a daughter - in -w . Her family and ours go back generations , and she was Drake''s first love . I suggest you take the hint . Pack your things and leave . Make room for the right woman at Drake''s side !


    " She''d said much more , all designed to humiliate Thalia , to remind her of her perceived inferiority and crush any aspirations deemed inappropriate . A T Hoirass 99.6 % Chapter 200 Recalling this now , Margret felt physically ill with regret . " No , that''s not - I didn''t mean- " she stumbled over her words . " Thalia , please let me exin . I thought you were just … " Margret caught herself mid - sentence . Just a nobody from nowhere . Just after our money . Just a gold - digger .


    These were words she couldn''t possibly voice now . " Just what ? " Thalia prompted , her gaze unflinching . Margret fumbled , unable to finish her thought . " Just a gold - digger after Drake''s money ? " Thalia supplied with a cold smile . " Is that what you were going to say ? " Margret looked down guiltily , her silence confirming Thalia''s words . " Funny thing , " Thalia said , her expression hardening , " I once nned to bring Drake home to meet my family .


    I even considered investing in Ashcroft Group . " Margret''s head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock . " Then why didn''t you ? " If she''d known Thalia came from such wealth , Sienna would never have been in the picture . If Drake had married Thalia , he''d now be the son - in -w of one of the country''s wealthiest families instead of drowning in debt ! The realization was devastating . " Because your son shared your opinion , " Thalia replied with a humorless smile .


    " He also believed I wasn''t good enough for him . " Margret stood frozen , processing this bombshell . " People who dismiss genuine feelings tend to learn their lessons the hard way , " Thalia said coldly . " You should go . I won''t be helping you . " " I was wrong - I''m so sorry , " Margret blurted , tears springing to her eyes . " I''ll do anything - run errands , fetch coffee . If you''re holding a grudge , you can humiliate me however you want . Please , just help our family .


    " Their properties and vehicles had all been seized , their ounts frozen . She''d sold her jewelry and designer items at consignment shops , barely covering Howard''s medical bills with almost nothing left for daily expenses . 99.8 % Chapter 200 They''d moved to a cheap apartment in a run - down neighborhood . She''d never lived in such conditions - no elevator , asional roaches and mice , Their household staff had been dismissed .


    She now cooked every meal herself , producing barely edible food , She''d lost significant weight . They''d approached every friend and connection . Not one had offered help . In desperation , she''d turned to Thalía . As Margret spoke , her emotions spiraled , her voice rising and breaking with sobs . Hospital visitors began to stare at the unfolding scene . " We don''t need household help , " Thalia said coldly .


    " Your begging is pointless because your family''s current situation is exactly what I wanted . " " I don''t typically go out of my way to ruin people , Mrs. Ashcroft , " Thalia continued , her gaze arctic . " But I have a long memory for slights . You humiliated me once . Now I''m evening the score . " " What are you saying ? " Margret''s tears stopped abruptly . " Are you iming Ashcroft Group''s bankruptcy was your doing ? " " Exactly , " Thalia replied with calm satisfaction .


    " Your past behavior was just one reason . Your precious son coborated with the ckwoods '' adopted daughter , working for their illegitimate son - nearly destroying my family . Your bankruptcy was my calcted response . " " You ? " Margret''s expression transformed into pure rage . " You vindictive little bitch ! " Realizing Thalia would never help them , Margret''s fa?ade of humility vanished as sheunched into a tirade of abuse .


    A growing crowd gathered , drawn to the spectacle unfolding in the hospital lobby . ( 10 ) ( 0 )