Chapter 4

Brenda stepped aggressively into my space, shielding Mia behind her left shoulder while jabbing a manicured finger into my face. "You're just like your deadbeat father! He ran around cheating on his family, and you sit on your piles of cash while leaving your mother to rot! You know I’m avoidant, yet you deliberately ice me out. Who are you sleeping with out here to afford these clothes?!"

I smacked her hand away. "Aside from spreading disgusting rumors, what else are you good for? Why don't you put this energy into getting a job, Brenda? Otherwise, how are you going to pay Mrs. Vance the rent?"

I stepped past her and locked my gaze onto Mia.

Mia flinched, but before she could duck, I clamped my hand onto her chin, forcing her head up. "And you. When I was your age, I went to class during the day and worked two shifts at night just to survive. What makes you think you're entitled to sit on your ass while I finance your lifestyle?"

"Begging me for rent and pocket money while acting like a princess—have you no shame?"

Mia’s face flushed crimson. She hissed through gritted teeth, "Older sisters take care of younger sisters! It’s what you owe me! If you don't wire my allowance right now, I’ll walk into that dining room and cause a scene in front of your bosses! I’ll make sure everyone knows what a heartless monster you are! If I’m miserable, you don't get to live in luxury!"

I released her chin with my left hand and brought my right hand across her cheek in a sharp, echoing slap.

Brenda lunged at me instantly, shoving me back against the wall while cradling Mia’s red face, shrieking like a banshee. "How dare you hit your sister! Mia is right! You ruined our lives, and you think you can sit in corner offices drinking champagne?!"

Before I could speak, Lucas, the intern, puffed out his chest and stepped forward. "Ma'am, our executive board is dining in the private suite on the third floor. I’ll take you right up to them."

He turned to glare at me with righteous fury. "I've hated working under you from day one, Chloe. Always bossing everyone around, pretending to be some corporate saint. Turns out you're just a trashy, abusive daughter!"

I stared at the smug little climber, who was practically vibrating with malicious excitement.

Rachel was upstairs. And so was her father.

Mr. Harrison, Chairman of Harrison Capital, happened to be in town to review the annual performance of Rachel’s division.

Weighing the situation, I kept my voice icy. "I don't have time for this circus. Walk up those stairs if you want, but the second you do, I wash my hands of you permanently. Not another dime. Ever."

Mia rolled her eyes and spat, "Like you ever gave us anything substantial anyway! Stop acting like you're our savior, you dried-up bitch!"

With that, she grabbed Brenda’s arm and marched inside.

Lucas shot me a triumphant sneer and scurried ahead to guide them.

Mia burst through the double doors of the private dining room like a theatrical hurricane, throwing herself into an emotional frenzy. "Chloe! How could you spend thousands on dinner when Mom can't even afford her prescriptions..."

The entire room fell dead silent. Every executive turned toward the doorway.

I walked in behind them, completely composed, and looked directly at the silver-haired man sitting at the head of the table. "Mr. Harrison, I apologize. This is my mother and my sister..."

"Who the hell is Mr. Harrison?!" Brenda shrieked dramatically. "You shameless brat, did you pick up some wealthy sugar daddy just to dodge your family obligations?!"

Mia immediately played along, dabbing at her dry eyes and whimpering, "Chloe, please... you can't just abandon us for a rich older man! He has a family! What if his wife finds out?!"