Chapter 222 Getting Harder to Control
Chapter 222 Getting Harder to Control
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Erin’s eyes lit up, and she jumped in at the perfect time. “Even so, Grandpa just gave those shares to Tracy. If we take them back now, won’t it look bad?
“If Tracy says something in front of outsiders, people who don’t know the truth might think we’re trying to steal what’s hers.”
She sighed, looking frustrated, as if she hated that she couldn’t help. “If only I had as many shares as Tracy. I’d hand them over to Andrew myself, so everyone could see that the Jackmans treat me and Tracy the same.”
Andrew looked at her, touched. “If Tracy were half as thoughtful as you, I’d have a lot less to worry about.”
Then his tone shifted, as if he’d made up his mind. “I’ll talk to Tracy and have her give you <i>5</i><i>% </i>of her shares. Then you’ll both have 15% each. Blood–rted or not, you’ll be treated the same, and no one can say otherwise.”
Erin’s heart leapt with joy, but she put on a troubled face. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
Andrew was about to nod and say it’d be fine when Liam, who’d been quiet the whole time, finally spoke. “Andrew, even though Tracy’s not rted to us by blood, she’s still part of the Jackmans. Wouldn’t taking the shares back be too much?
“Those shares were Grandpa’s gift to her. He just passed away, and now we’re going to take them? It’s … it’s…
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He didn’t even know what word fit. And even if he did, he wouldn’t dare say it–because Erin’s eyes suddenly went red.
“I was only thinking about what’s best for thepany. Do you really think I’m trying to take from Tracy on purpose? H–how could you think that about me?”
Her tears came fast, and Daphne, protective as ever, pulled her close and red at Liam. “Watch
your mouth, boy! Erin’s your sister–how could you bully her like that?”
“I didn’t-”
Liam tried to exin, but Andrew mmed his hand on the table angrily before he could finish. “Liam, apologize to Erin. Now.”
Benjamin stayed quiet, but the angry, disappointed look in his eyes said enough.
Chapter 222 Getting Harder to Control
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In that moment, Liam felt like they’d shoved him out onto a block of ice, drifting alone in the sea–pushed farther and farther away.
And then it hit him–he’d seen this before.
His face went pale as the memories came flooding back.
He remembered Tracy, sitting on the floor, pale as people used her; Tracy, cornered while people shouted at her; Tracy, panic in her eyes as people demanded answers.
And in every using, scolding, questioning face… there were Jackmans, including him.
Right then, it was like he finally understood what it had been like for Tracy in this family–why she treated them the way she did now.
But he still didn’t fully get it.
<i>Mom</i><i>, </i><i>Dad</i><i>, </i><i>Andrew</i><i>–</i><i>they </i><i>aren’t </i><i>unreasonable </i><i>people</i>. <i>So </i><i>why </i><i>do </i><i>they </i><i>turn </i><i>irrational </i><i>when </i><i>it </i><ies </i>to <i>Tracy</i><i>? </i>
Liam’s lips shook as he said slowly, “I was just saying what’s on my mind. I’m not bullying Erin.”
Daphne’s face was full of disappointment. “We all saw it with our own eyes, and you’re still making excuses?”
Andrew’s voice was firm and authoritative. “Liam, I’ll say this onest time. Apologize to Erin right now!”
Erin stayed in Daphne’s arms, silent except for soft sobs.
To Liam, the scene was <i>so </i>familiar that it made him shake,
Only before, he’d been on the other side. And the one standing where he was now had been Tracy,
Sometimes you don’t know how much a knife hurts until it cuts you.
Liam stared at the faces in front of him. Along with shock and confusion, a strange, creeping fear spread in his chest.
He stumbled back a few steps before he could stop himself. His eyes scanned each familiar face–faces that, for the first time, felt like strangers.
“You all…
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Chapter 222 Getting Harder to Control
His voice shook as he pointed at them, but no more words came for a long moment.
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Then, whether from fear or something else, he suddenly turned and ran. His panicked figure looked like a demon was chasing him.
The Jackmans froze, ncing at each other in confusion.
It was Erin who finally spoke. “Liam’s been acting like he doesn’t like metely. Did I do something wrong? I–I can change if it’ll make him forgive me. Sob … ”
<i>This </i>idiot <i>is getting </i><i>harder </i><i>to </i><i>control</i>.
<i>If </i><i>things </i><i>really </i><i>get </i><i>out </i><i>of </i><i>hand</i>, <i>I </i>won’t <i>mind </i><i>sacrificing </i><i>this </i><i>piece </i><i>on </i><i>the </i><i>board</i>.
Erin cried hard and looked so pitiful that the Jackmans‘ hearts softened. They surrounded her with gentle words,forting her, all while ming Liam for being unreasonable. Some even guessed Tracy had something to do with it and cursed her a few times, too.
Liam didn’t know any of it.
After rushing out of Jackman Vi, the cold wind hit his back, sending a chill through him. It cleared some of the fog in his head.
In his life, Liam had messed up plenty of times before. But this was the first time his whole family had turned on him. Beneath the unease, what he felt most was ang