Chapter 156
Inside the courtyard.
Maeve was just reaching into her bag to pull out her bank card when she paused. With so much turmoil surrounding their family recently, she worried about prying ears. Gently taking Marcus by the arm, she guided him into the house and securely shut the door.
She retrieved a sleek bank card and pressed it into his hand.
“Dad, there’s ten million dollars on this card. Use it to clear the penalty p>
Assuming it was the Fairchild family’s money, Marcus violently recoiled. He refused to let his daughter be held hostage by her in-laws over finances.
“I told you, no matter how desperate things get, I will never take a dime from the Fairchilds p>
Maeve smiled warmly, forcefully pressing the card back into his palm.
“Dad, this isn’t Frederick’s money. I earned this myself p>
Both Vivian and Marcus stared at her, utterly stunned.
Seeing the lingering doubt in her father’s eyes, Maeve pulled out her phone and brought up the digital copy of her exclusive fragrance contract with the luxury brand “She p>
After Marcus and Vivian read through the terms, Marcus gripped the card tightly, his eyes shining with overwhelming emotion.
“That’s my girl. I always knew you were meant for great things p>
Vivian’s eyes brimmed with happy tears.
“Oh, Maeve. Your father and I aren’t powerful people, but seeing you stand on your own two feet gives me such peace of mind. Now, whether you stay with the Fairchilds or not, you’ll be perfectly fine. You won’t have to live at anyone’s mercy ever again p>
She wiped her eyes, her voice trembling with guilt.
“I never wanted to burden you with your father’s mess, but I was truly at the end of my rope p>
“Mom!” Maeve pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Stop talking about burdens. I’m your daughter. I’m part of this family, and helping out is exactly what I’m supposed to do. I married and moved away three years ago, and I wasn’t here to take care of you. Now, it’s my turn to step up p>
Vivian sobbed harder, and Maeve gently wiped her mother’s tears away, holding her hands tightly.
“Mom, when I was little, you and Dad did everything in your power to make my dreams come true. I’m grown up now. Let me be the one you rely on p>
For years, she had placed romance on a pedestal, revolving her entire existence around Frederick during their three-year marriage. In doing so, she had neglected the people who truly, unconditionally loved her.
She swore never to make that mistake again.
Vivian hugged her back fiercely, crying through a proud smile.
“Look at our amazing girl p>
With the penalty paid, the mill’s crisis was effectively resolved.
After sharing a warm meal with her parents, Maeve prepared to head back to the Capital.
This ordeal had cemented a harsh reality in her mind: as long as she was breathing, she needed to secure her own financial independence.
Money could solve ninety percent of life’s problems. Only with her own wealth could she refuse to bow to anyone, ensuring no one could ever use her as a pawn.
Stepping out of the courtyard gate, she froze. Frederick was standing right there.
The sharp, acrid scent of tobacco hit her instantly, making her frown. Glancing down she noticed a scatter of crushed cigarette. littering the ground at his feet
Frederick looked equally startled to see her emerge.
“Maeve? How did you know I was out here p>
Maeve’s expression turned frigid.
“I didn’t. What are you doing here p>
Frederick glanced toward the house.
“Is the situation handled p>
Maeve’s brows snapped together.
“You knew my family was in trouble? Did you drive all the way out here just to laugh at us p>
“No,” Frederick defended quickly. “I came to help you p>
Maeve saw right through him. Her voice dropped to a dangerous octave.
“If you came to help, why didn’t you knock on the door p>
Frederick hesitated for a fraction of a second before answering.
“I thought you would call me to ask for my help p>
Maeve’s eyes hardened with absolute contempt.
“Wait for me to call and ask, or wait for me to call and beg p>
Frederick’s throat tightened, rendering him speechless. Maeve stepped closer, her voice laced with venom.
“You were absolutely certain I couldn’t come up with ten million dollars. You stood out here waiting for me to hit rock bottom and grovel. Then, you were going to use the money as leverage to force me back into plaving the dutiful. oblivious wife to cover up your sickening affair with Zoe. You wanted to make sure I had no room left to refuse, didn’t you p>
Frederick’s voice was hoarse. “No, I didn’t. This has absolutely nothing to do with Zoe p>
“Doesn’t it?” A mocking, bitter smile curled Maeve’s lips.
“Yesterday, you were supposedly willing to spend everything to cure a terminal illness I didn’t even have. But today, when my family facc ruin, you stand outside smoking, calculating how to use my desperation to leash me. Were you hoping I’d break faster? Just trying to push me over the edge p>