Chapter 18
Tessa was dreaming about marrying into a life of luxury. But Iris’s response hit her like a cold splash of water. “You know Stanley is still young There’s no rush for marriage.”
“Why isn’t there a rush just a few days ago, Stanley was eager to marry Kristina. Why is everything different when it comes to me? Tessa thought Indignantly.
Still, she kept a shy expression on her face. I’m young too. It’s fine, Stanley and I can wait”
Iris was close to losing her cool. It had been a while since she’d seen such an ungrateful young person. “This is the modern world. If just because something happened doesn’t mean there’s an obligation, Stanley would gave married countless girls already.”
“Tessa, it’s not that I don’t like you? She looked at Tessa and smiled, yet her eyes were as cold as ice.
With Belinda in the room, Iris was careful with her words. “Marriage is a serious commitment. We need to make sure Stanley is on board with this. If I pushed him to marry you, you’d end up unhappy, wouldn’t you?”
Tessa wasn’t about to let this chance slip away. She quickly reassured, “We won’t be unhappy. I’ll support whatever Stanley wants and be a great
wife:
Iris nearly almost laughed out of anger.
Belinda, not fond of Tessa either, jumped in. “There’s no rush for Stanley to get married”
After all, Tessa hadn’t been born into the Bentley family. Even though she was raised there, her small–mindedness was hard to shake. Compared to Kristina, the true Bentley heiress, Tessa fell short in many ways
Feeling drained, Belinda slightly squinted her eyes and rubbed her temples, where a headache was brewing. With a slightly hoarse voice, she sighed, Tm feeling a bit tired. I’m going to rest for now!
While brushing past Iris, Belinda suddenly stopped. She glanced sideways and said coldly. “Tm not dead yet, and I’m definitely not out of my mind. I know who should be in charge of the McClain family. Do you think I’m oblivious to all your schemes behind my back?”
“I–Iris stammered, feeling panic rising
“I don’t want to hear your excuses” Belinda interrupted sharply, her gaze fierce. “Let me be clear: if you keep plotting behind the scenes, blame me for being ruthless and kicking you out. The McClain family won’t tolerate any attempts to create division, understand?”
don’t
Iris’s face turned red, and her heart felt like it was being torn apart. Even with Tessa, an outsider, in the room, Belinda showed no mercy. It felt like she was trampling on tris’s dignity.
With her head down, she swallowed her pride and said, “Okay, I understand.”
Once Belinda was gone, Iris’s demeanor changed completely. She lifted her chin and glared at Tessa with disgust. “Did you really think you could waltz into the McClain family? Hmph!”
Tessa bit her lip ‘I—”
“You what? I’ve seen plenty of people like you.” Iris pulled out a bill from her j purse and tossed it at Tessa. “Consider this debt paid. Stay away from Stanley” With that, Iris turned and stormed off
Looking at the string of zeros on the banknote–a hundred billion–Tessa was stunned, and joy began to flicker in her eyes.
Just then, Kristina’s voice cut through. “A hundred billion Zimbable dollars! That’s worth only a couple of bucks. How unfair is that?”
Tessa’s face fell instantly. “What! A couple of bucks! Is she saying I’m cheap!”
“Don’t worry. You’re my sister, and now that Stanley, I’ll do my best to help you fit in.” Kristina patted Tessa reassuringly on the shoulder. The emerald bracelet on her delicate wrist swayed gently.
Tessa’s eyes lingered on it, jealousy washing over her. She took a deep breath to steady her emotions and forced a cheerful expression. “Thanks, Kristina. With your help, I can definitely join the McClain family”
“It’s just so unfair. Kristina and I are both McClains, so why can she marry whoever she wants, get the family heirloom bracelet, and even have the black card?
Even when she backed out of her engagement to marry Trenton in public, no one in the McClain family blamed her at all.
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3:06 PM
Chapter 18
And when Kristina got engaged to Stanley, not even Iris said a word against it. So why is everything so different for me?
Tve done everything I can to marry Stanley, yet the McClain family still won’t accept me. Why?‘ Tessa’s chest burned with anger and frustration. her emotions so intense that they felt ready to explode.
Kristina appeared completely oblivious to Tessa’s frustration. As she played with Trenton’s fingers, she casually remarked, “You’re too formal. Just sit tight and look forward to the good times coming
A subtle gleam flashed in her e
eyes. ‘Enjoy your last moments of happiness, Tessa. My revenge is coming soon
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