Chapter 177
Chapter 171
Hanna’s POV:
63%
The VIP maternity ward at Moontouch Medical Center smelled of expensive flowers and new beginnings.
I stood near the window, watching the parade of well-wishers stream into Fiona’s private suite, each bearing gifts. The room buzzed with congratulations, the air thick with the scent of success.
“Mrs. Price, what a beautiful grandson!” A woman gushed, her eyes gleaming with calculated friendliness. “Ten percent of Grayson Enterprise! Richard Grayson is incredibly generous p>
I forced my smile wider, though my jaw ached from maintaining it. “Yes, we’re very blessed p>
Blessed. The word tasted bitter on my tongue.
Ten percent. Five hundred billion moonstones. Eighty billion in annual dividends.
The numbers had been circulating through Moonhaven’s elite circles since Richard’s announcement yesterday.
I’d watched phones light up across the room, watched faces transform from polite indifference to eager attention. The same wolves who’d turned their noses up at Alexander’s “new money” status now crowded around us, their previous disdain forgotten.
Alexander stood near Fiona’s bedside, his chest puffed out as he accepted congratulations.
I looked away, focusing on Fiona instead.
My stepdaughter lay propped against silk pillows, her face pale but her eyes bright with triumph.
A male pup. An heir for the Grayson bloodline.
Of course it would be.
“Hannah.” Alexander’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. He’d extracted Himself from his admirers and now stood close enough that I could smell the expensive cologne he’d started wearing. “A word p>
I followed him to the small sitting area adjacent to the main room, away from the crowd. He glanced back to ensure we had privacy before turning to me, his expression shifting from public joy to private calculation.
“When does the transfer happen?” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “The stock. When does it officially move into Fiona’s name p>
“Richard said during the full moon naming ceremony. I kept my tone neural, though something cold twisted in my stomach. “Three weeks
from now.
“Three weeks.” Alexander’s eyes gleamed. “And the dividends start immediately after p>
“That’s what was announced p>
He nodded slowly, his mind clearly working through numbers and possibilities.
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Chapter 171
63%
I watched him, this man I’d married for security, for status, for escape from the shame of my past. When had the lines around his eyes become so pronounced? When had his smile become so… mercenary?
“We should discuss how to best utilize this windfall,” he said. For the family, of course p>
Of course.
“Utilize?” I kept my voice carefully modulated.
He waved a dismissive hand. “We’re family. Price Enterprises is on the brink, Hannah. Without a significant capital injection in the next quarter,
we’re looking at bankruptcy p>
His hand caught my wrist-not hard, but firm enough to stop me. “Think about it. We could secure Mia’s future. Set her up properly. Isn’t that
what you want p>
I pulled my wrist free from his grip, the contact suddenly unbearable. “Then ask her yourself p>
“What?” His eyes narrowed.
“You heard me.” I kept my voice steady, though my hands trembled slightly “If you think Fiona should help save Price Enterprises, then you
should be the one to make that request. Not me p>
“Hannah, you’re her stepmother. She trusts-
She trusts you more.” The words came out sharper than I intended. “You’re her father. And this your company, your debt, your problem to
solve.
Alexander’s jaw clenched. For a long moment, he stared at me. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold.
“Fine. I’ll handle it myself p>
He turned and walked back toward Fiona’s room.
“Fiona, sweetheart.” Alexander’s tone had transformed completely, warm and paternal. “How are you feeling p>
I couldn’t see Fiona’s face from where I stood, but I heard the exhaustion in her voice. “Tired, but happy p>
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