Mrs. James Sr. was clearly against the idea. She wanted to use Yvonne to get in


    with the Thompson family, but she wanted to do it without offering anything of value.


    She had long considered the shares of the James Group her own property, to be saved for her biological children.


    "Dad, ten percent of thepany is worth billions. Why should we give it to a bastard? If you give it to Yvonne, you have to give the same to Letitia. Otherwise, I will never agree," Marcia chimed in.


    "What did you just say? Did I hear you correctly?" Yvonne looked at Marcia with a cold smile. It had been a while since she''d put her in her ce, and it seemed Marcia had a short memory when it came to lessons learned.


    "You, the illegitimate child of a mistress, are calling me, the legitimate daughter, a bastard? That''s rich."


    "Who are you calling a mistress? My mother is the rightful Mrs. James!" Marcia shrieked, losing control.


    "Don''t think I''m too young to know what goes on. Everyone in our circle knows that the old Mrs. James only got her title after the original wife died. She was the mistress who finally made it. What, does being an old mistress make you any less of one? The only thing that''s grown over the years are the wrinkles on your face, not your sense of shame."


    After sessfully securing her position, Mrs. James Sr. had lived a life of pampered luxury. It had been years since anyone had dared to curse her to her face like this.


    Her aged face turned shades of red and white.


    "What have I done to deserve this? To be humiliated by someone so young at my age," Mrs. James Sr. choked out, looking at her husband with eyes full of grievance.


    "Honey, are you just going to stand there and watch this junior member of the family walk all over me? You have to stand up for me."


    Yvonne felt goosebumps crawl up her skin watching the old woman try to y the victim with Mr. James Sr.


    "Ma''am, you''re aware of your age, aren''t you? Why are you still acting like a little girl? ying the damsel in distress doesn''t suit you," Yvonne taunted.


    "You..." Mrs. James Sr. trembled with rage. Just as she was about to retort, Mr. James Sr.''s angry voice cut her off.


    "That''s enough! Look at yourself, at your age. What a disgrace."


    "Dad, you and Mom have been married for so many years! Are you just going to let this little bitch walk all over her?" Marciained.


    "You, be quiet too!" Mr. James Sr. mmed his cane on the floor in frustration. But when he turned to Yvonne, his voice softened immediately.


    "Yvonne, dear, if you don''t want to


    Yvonne replied, "I don''t need them. You should keep them for yourself."


    "But I''m your grandfather, and you''re my biological granddaughter. You''ve grown up so much, and I''ve never


    given you anything Just


    as a present from me


    of it


    Yvonne just shook her head again. "Sir, you couldn''t even be a good father. How


    could you possibly be a good grandfather?"


    Her gaze swept over everyone in the


    hospital room before finallynding back on Mr. James Sr. "Do you really here truly cares about


    think anyo


    you? How much of it is genuine affection, and how much is just


    family obligation?"


    Mr. James Sr. had failed as a husband, a father, and a grandfather. So why should anyone else be expected to be a good wife, a good child, or a good grandchild?


    Without love or sincerity, all he had was his cold, hard cash, and all he could do was watch as the James family slowly crumbled.