Filed to story: Billionaire Bride’s Revenge (Vera & Howard)
For years, Sharon believed she had given Vera resources and an education that money couldn’t buy. Despite Vera contributing one billion, Sharon saw it merely as compensation for the separation that had lasted over 20 years. She felt this wasn’t enough and still expected more money from Vera.
Jeff tried to intervene. “Stop it. Vera won’t help us,” he cautioned her. After all, he had played the role of Vera’s father for many years and knew her character to some extent. Vera was compassionate, but once she made up her mind, it was final. Even if he were in Vera’s shoes, he wouldn’t want to get involved in such a mess.
Annoyed, Sharon shot him a glare. “Are your words supposed to be helpful? I’m doing this for our family. If you hadn’t dodged taxes, I wouldn’t need to ask Vera for help. Besides, she owes us that much. I just want to borrow some money from her. I’ll pay her back later.”
Sharon’s tone was self-righteous, as if she was certain Vera would lend them the money. Yet, her plan to “borrow” was just words. When would she return, and could she even return the money? It all depended on the Montgomery family’s fortunes.
Observing this, Lily barely concealed a smile. She believed she had figured out a way to persuade Vera to lend them money. Speaking gently, she said, “Regardless of the past, Vera is still part of our family. Now that we’re in a crisis, I’m sure she’ll help.”
Jeff looked at her with mixed emotions. He chose not to argue further and sat down next to them. They seemed to have entirely overlooked the fact that Vera had vowed to sever ties with them in the hospital, even though she was visibly unwell.
Additionally, he was frustrated with Lily’s attitude during the crisis. Still, she was his biological daughter, and he couldn’t be too severe with her. If only, he hoped, Vera would lend them the money.
Sharon held her phone in anticipation for a while, but Vera didn’t respond. Upon checking, she discovered that her number had been blocked.
She went ballistic, cursing Vera furiously.
“Bitch! How dare she block my number! Ungrateful little brat!”
Lily looked on anxiously and asked in a panic, “How could this happen? Did Vera anticipate we’d ask for help and block your number in advance?” Her words only intensified Sharon’s anger.
“As I always said, she’s ungrateful. All the years I spent raising her were a waste,” Sharon muttered through clenched teeth.
Gritting her teeth, Sharon headed for the door. “I’m going to her place. She can’t just hide from me.”
Lily’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she quickly followed her mother.
Meanwhile, Vera was at home preparing a tonic soup, ingredients in hand. Remembering how Howard had come to confront her earlier and spilled her soup, she was still seething.
Her address had been leaked, and she feared Howard might show up again. After some thought, Vera decided it was time to move. She acted quickly, knowing she had other real estate properties besides the current one.
She also owned a large and magnificent villa by the sea, which might be a good option.
Vera hurried to pack her personal items and then called a moving company to handle the rest. Fortunately, she hadn’t been in this place for long and didn’t have much to pack-everything fit into fewer than 20 boxes.
When Sharon and Lily arrived, they saw several moving trucks outside Vera’s house, with workers bustling about, loading boxes.
Pointing at the logo of the moving company, Lily exclaimed, “Look, Mom! Vera is really leaving. She’s trying to avoid us on purpose!”
Sharon’s face contorted with anger as she clenched her teeth.
“Ungrateful bitch! I’ll teach her a lesson.”
With that, she rushed forward.
“Vera Montgomery!” Sharon shouted, disregarding the elegant, wealthy image she usually upheld.
When Vera turned and saw the two women coming her way, a look of disgust crossed her face. She was more convinced than ever at that moment that moving had been the right decision.
With a blank expression, Vera inquired, “What do you want?”
Sharon glared at her fiercely, her voice strained as she spoke. “Where are you off to? Our company is facing a major crisis, and you haven’t even called. Now you’re sneaking away? Scared we might approach you?”
Sharon’s barrage of questions left Vera visibly stunned. She furrowed her brows in confusion.
So, Sharon was upset because Vera hadn’t reached out to the Montgomery family? Considering they had cut ties, Vera felt no obligation to them, even if the Montgomery Group was collapsing.
“I can keep up with the Montgomery family’s affairs online. Why would I call a stranger?”
Sharon was so infuriated by her response that she nearly fainted. She raised her hand to slap Vera, but Lily quickly intervened.
Although she relished the thought of Vera getting slapped, they needed to ask her for a loan. What if Vera refused because of the slap?
“Take it easy, Mom. Remember why we’re here,” Lily murmured into Sharon’s ear.
Her words cooled Sharon down a bit. Reluctantly, Sharon shot Vera a hostile look.
Confusion flickered in Vera’s eyes as she took a step back. Her instincts warned her that their sudden visit was bad news.
Lily softened her expression and gazed at Vera. “Vera, our family’s company is in deep trouble. If we don’t come up with enough money within a week, Dad will be arrested and could be in jail for up to 15 years. You wouldn’t want to see the family you’ve lived with for so long suffer like that, right?”
She was attempting to guilt-trip Vera, who quickly caught on to her tactics.
With a sneer, Vera realized they were here to ask for money. It now made sense why they had shown up so abruptly.
Sharon looked at Vera and said coldly, “Your father has treated you well for years, pampering you like a princess. He’s given you everything you ever wanted. Now, it’s time for you to repay his kindness. Don’t worry, we promise to pay you back.”
“Well, leaving aside whether I’m even considering lending you the money, you say you’ll pay it back. How?” Vera didn’t beat around the bush, her arms crossed defensively.
The Montgomery Group’s scandals had exploded in the media recently. While they were preoccupied with battling the Guerrero Group, their stock prices had plummeted. In just one week, they had lost several billion dollars. Montgomery Group wasn’t a leading company; such a substantial loss could lead to their quick collapse.
Irritated, Sharon retorted, “I said we’d pay it back, and I meant it. We raised you, and now it’s time for you to return the favor. Are you going to watch and do nothing? He is your father. You’ve called him ‘Dad’ for more than 20 years.”
Lily stepped forward and added, “Vera, I know you’ve been wronged. Dad and Mom might not have always been fair to you, but those things aren’t important anymore. With this major crisis looming, I hope we can come together and get through it.”
Sharon raised her chin and looked at Vera with arrogance. “That’s right! If you help us now, you’ll still be my daughter going forward. This is your last chance.”
Two seconds passed before Vera burst into laughter. A big smile played at the corners of Vera’s mouth, radiant in the sunlight, yet Sharon and Lily detected a hint of mockery.
Sharon stepped forward and asked angrily, “What’s so funny? We’re offering you this chance because we were family for many years. Don’t be so ungrateful.”
After laughing enough, Vera crossed her arms and looked at Sharon steadily. “You should offer this chance to someone else. I’m not interested.”
“You!” Sharon was taken aback; she hadn’t anticipated such a dismissive response. On their way here, she had imagined Vera would be overwhelmed with gratitude at the offer to rejoin the Montgomery family and would scramble to gather funds from her contacts like Aimee. Yet now, Vera declared she didn’t care at all! This infuriated Sharon!
Her eyes narrowing, Sharon warned, “Think carefully. Reject this, and you forfeit your place as the esteemed daughter of the Montgomery family!”
Lily grabbed Sharon’s arm and cast a reproachful look at Vera. “Vera, are you still upset about what happened before? The Montgomery family is facing serious troubles. It’s time to stop being childish. Mom and Dad raised you for many years-you can’t just stand by and do nothing.”
Vera chuckled again, fully aware of their greed and hypocrisy. When her parents discovered she wasn’t the biological daughter of the Montgomery family, they discarded her without a second thought, harsh words and all. Now, amidst financial turmoil, they expected her to hand over billions to fix their problems because “they were family.” Did they really think she was that naive?
Mistaking her silence for hesitation, Sharon softened her approach slightly and took Vera’s hand with a smile. “Listen to me, and we might still live together peacefully in the future…”
But before she could finish, Vera pulled her hand away, leaving Sharon and Lily dumbfounded.
Vera scoffed. “I already gave you a billion to cut all ties. We’re nothing but strangers to each other now. Using threats to get money from me is nothing short of despicable.”