Chapter 210
Audrey’s POV
Rebecca suddenly stood up, cutting him off sharply.
“Dad! Think this through,” she said, her voice strained. “You have a grandson, a granddaughter, Elizabeth, and Olivia. With so many descendants, giving most of your estate to an outsider just isn’t right.”
Thalia also stood up, joining her mother. “Grandfather, if you were giving your assets to someone genuinely kind, I wouldn’t object.” She shot me a cold look. “But giving everything to someone who only pretends to care about you? I can’t accept that.”
My body went still as I realized what was happening. William wanted to give me his fortune? My face went pale.
Me? Inherit from William Parker? Why would he do that? What have I done to deserve this?
William’s face reddened. He slammed his cane against the floor.
“What right do you have to complain?” he snapped. “Audrey has been nothing but a blessing to this family!”
He turned to Thalia. “When your brother was comatose, what did you do? You visited once, decided he’d never wake up,
and abandoned him!”
“Meanwhile, Audrey had no connection to Blake, yet she took better care of him than anyone! She even married him while he was unconscious!”
He took a breath. “Without her, would Blake have recovered? Would Parker Group still be standing? Would you still be
living in luxury?”
Thalia’s face twisted. “She only did it for herself.”
“Yes, Audrey helped Blake,” Rebecca jumped in. “But hasn’t our family paid her back? Look at the life she had before versus after joining the Parker family. Isn’t that enough? What gives her the right to Parker assets?”
“How dare you!” William shouted at Rebecca. “You think she married into our family for money?”
He thumped his cane again. “And even ignoring Blake, Audrey has taken care of me for years! The time you two spent looking after me in three years doesn’t equal what Audrey does in a month!”
His voice softened. “Even if nothing else, just for keeping an old man company – drinking tea, playing chess, gardening with me – I’d happily give her most of my estate.”
I noticed William shaking with anger and gently guided him back to his seat.
“William, please calm down,” I said quietly. “You’re healthy. Why talk about inheritance now?”
Thalia laughed coldly. “Drop the act, Audrey. You’re here because you heard Grandfather has terminal cancer with less than
a month left. That he’s drafted a will. That’s the only reason you showed up.”
“Still pretending: ‘Why talk about inheritance?‘ If not for money, why are you here?”
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Chapter 210
I felt like I’d been punched. My hand trembled as I turned to William. “William, are you…”
William waved dismissively. “Don’t look so shocked. I’m old – these things happen.”
He took my hand, sighing. “I tried to stop your divorce because I knew I didn’t have much time… But I realized Blake has wronged you. He doesn’t deserve you.”
“You should divorce him and find happiness. You shouldn’t stay with him just because an old man asked.
He looked at me intently. “My biggest regret is that I won’t see you happy. That’s why I’m giving you most of my assets after I’m gone. Consider it my blessing. I hope you’ll live well with it.”
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I bit my lip.
I want to tell him I only have two months left myself. That I don’t have a future to plan for. But with his condition this bad, I can’t burden him with that.
Thalia sneered. “How touching. Watching you two, I’m starting to wonder – is Audrey my brother’s ex–wife or my grandfather’s?”
The moment those words left her mouth, Blake’s voice thundered from the doorway: “Thalia! What the hell are you saying?”
Blake’s POV
I stood in the doorway, fury coursing through me at what I’d just heard.
Thalia’s expression instantly changed. “Blake…”
I walked straight to her. “If you can’t speak properly, keep your mouth shut! Audrey is my ex–wife and Grandfather’s favorite. Your words disrespect her and insult Grandfather!”
My voice was ice cold. “Apologize to both of them. Now.”
Thalia went pale, her lip trembling. “Blake, I was just talking. Why are you so angry?”
“So insulting people doesn’t need an apology? If you don’t apologize, say goodbye to your allowance.”
I watched Thalia glance at our mother for help.
Rebecca stepped forward. “Blake, you’re overreacting. Thalia’s young and speaks without thinking. It was just a comment. Audrey doesn’t seem upset – she’s used to this. She’s never minded before.”
“So because it’s always happened, it’s right?” I cut her off. “Because Audrey doesn’t complain, Thalia isn’t wrong?”
Thalia reluctantly moved toward Audrey, head down.
“Audrey, I’m sorry,” she muttered. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
To my surprise, Audrey laughed coldly.
‘Keep your apology.”
Chapter 210
She turned to me, her eyes hard. “Thalia has insulted me. countless times. But this isn’t the first time you’ve heard it, is 1t7 You’ve always ignored it, pretended not to hear. Demanding an apology now seems fake, doesn’t it?
I stared at her, stunned by the truth in her words.
She’s right. Thalia has always talked to her like this. I’ve heard it before many times. And I did nothing. I always assumed Audrey had done something to deserve it.
Today is the first time I’ve heard their entire conversation. The first time I’ve seen Audrey did nothing to provoke this.
It was never her fault. It was mine for allowing it.
Rebecca tried to smooth things over. “Alright, Thalia just because Grandfather and Blake are on your side.”
was wrong, but she’s apologized. Let’s move on. Audrey, don’t push
“How am I pushing?” Audrey asked flatly. “You think I need her fake apology? It means nothing to me.*
“Exactly!” Grandfather said firmly. “Don’t think an apology will make Audrey forgive you or change my mind!”
He turned to me. “You know about the will, don’t you?”
I nodded, thinking of the copies Charles had distributed to my staff this morning.
“What do you think?” Grandfather asked, eyes narrowed. “Do you also oppose giving sixty percent of my estate to Audrey?”
Rebecca and Thalia stared at me, waiting.
“Blake,” Thalia whispered urgently, “say you disagree! Parker family assets can’t go to outsiders!”
I looked at Audrey, then said firmly, “I don’t oppose it.”
