Chapter 2
Dinner time came, and the long table was filled with all sorts of fancy dishes.
Everyone in the Sargent family looked pissed, not saying a word. The mood in the room was subdued.
Only I was digging in, enjoying the food without a care.
I took my time with the lobster, ignoring their glares.
In my previous life, I wouldn't have even dared to sit at that table.
They used to say that I was noisy when I ate and had bad manners, and they asked me to eat in my room alone.
I actually believed them, curling up in my room and crying as my stomach rumbled.
Looking back, I saw how foolish I was.
Willa sat there with red eyes, hardly touching her food, looking so miserable that it seemed like every bite was a struggle.
Gracie, looking concerned, picked up a scallop and gently put it on Willa's plate.
"Willa, eat a bit more. Don't let people who don't matter get to you. It's not worth making yourself sick," Gracie said.
She shot me a pointed look as she spoke, making sure I knew who she meant.
I picked up a piece of salmon without even glancing up.
I said, "Yeah, getting upset over people who don't matter isn't worth it.
"As for me? I don't waste my energy on fakes who take what isn't theirs, or on family that's too blind to see the truth.
"After all, arguing with idiots makes no sense."
Marcel spat out his soup in shock.
"Evie, do you have to be so harsh?" he complained.
I put down my fork, wiped my mouth with a napkin, and replied, "Nope.
"I grew up in a small town, so I'm not all polished like you high society types, always hiding meanings behind your words. Isn't that exhausting?
"If you've got something to say, say it. That's how real people communicate."
Holden slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming, "You're out of line!
"Is that how you were raised? Where are your manners?"
I grabbed the fruit plate filled with shiny, tempting cherries.
Then I marched over to Gracie. Without hesitation, I dumped all the fruit into her freshly styled hair. "Manners?
"Seriously, you want to lecture me about manners?
"Back when you abandoned me, what manners were you following?"
Cold juice trickled down Gracie's hair, and cherries bounced everywhere, rolling across the floor.
She froze, looking like a statue that had just been desecrated.
Willa shrieked, "Mom!"
Marcel and Holden jumped to their feet, gaping in disbelief.
"Evie, are you crazy?" Marcel yelled, trying to grab me.
I dodged him easily, feeling a rush of satisfaction seeing Gracie all messed up and embarrassed.
I sneered, "If you want fruit, wash it yourself. Got your hands full?
"Oh, right. Those same hands threw your real daughter away back then, and now you're serving a fake one. Yeah, they sure are full."
Gracie finally snapped back, her whole body shaking as she pointed at me, her lips quivering. "Y-You ungrateful brat!
"I don't have a daughter like you."
"Perfect!" I shot back with a bright smile. "Let's drop this ridiculous act and cut ties right now.
"You owe me eighteen years of child support for everything you put me through, and my share of the Sargent family's estate. We'll settle the lump sum.
"From now on, we're done. You're dead to me.
"Do you dare?"
Gracie was left speechless, completely shut down by me.
Holden, furious, pointed at the door. "Get out. Get out of this house right now.
"We're done with this show."
I crossed my arms and gave him a calm look. "That works for me.
"The contract is clear. If you break the pact for your own reasons, you'll pay 300 million.
"Mr. Sargent, that debt is all yours."
300 million wasn't a stretch for the Sargent family, but paying it would definitely sting.
More importantly, if they backed out of the contract, it would show everyone they had something to hide.
Holden's face changed color with every emotion, from pale to purple. It was amusing to watch.
He looked at me like he wanted to devour me.
But I flashed him an innocent smile.
He thought you could kick me out?
Not a chance.
I was not done enjoying this drama yet.
In the end, the Sargent family didn't have the nerve to break the contract.
Faced with the choice of paying 300 million or being a national joke, they picked the latter.
Maybe they thought that if they played their cards right later, they could change the story.
Too bad for them, I wasn't going to let that happen.
*****
The production team, always looking to create a buzz, decided to add a "family bonding moment" segment.
Each family had to share something that meant a lot to them.
The Sargent family showcased a stunning diamond necklace.
Willa was wearing it, sitting next to Gracie, looking sweet and a bit shy.
The host went all out with the introduction. "This is Angel's Tear. Mrs. Sargent bought it for Willa's eighteenth birthday. It symbolizes the purest love a mother can have for her daughter."
Gracie lovingly ran her fingers through Willa's hair, showing her affection.
"Willa is my precious angel. This necklace was made just for her," Gracie said with a warm tone.
The mother-daughter display was so heartfelt that it could move everyone.
Willa's fans flooded the live chat with comments.
[Oh, this is so touching. Willa and her mom have such a sweet bond!]
[This is what a true high-society mother and daughter look like. Some people could really learn from them!]
[Angel's Tear for an angel like Willa. Just perfect!]