Chapter 482
Chapter 482:
“Hey! Hands off—do you know who my parents are? You’ll regret this!” She kicked and wriggled in protest, spitting threats with that same haughty tone, as if the whole world revolved around her.
Michael didn’t flinch. Her protests were little more than noise. Silently, he escorted her straight to the private room Zayden had prepared. Inside, a man stood to greet her, poised and smiling. “You must be Helena. Hello. I’m Zayden Hughes—Alden’s uncle,” he said, extending a hand like this was a formal brunch.
Helena’s gaze flicked over him coolly. So this was him. Alden’s uncle. He had the same sharply-cut features that ran through the Hughes bloodline.
Even with streaks of gray brushing his temples, he exuded a polished elegance. But behind the pleasant smile… something darker lingered. Greed. Malice. He was a man who was used to hiding knives behind silk, who wouldn’t think twice about hurting his own sister.
Helena’s skin prickled, but she kept her cool. She crossed her arms and frowned, voice grating and sharp. “Alden’s uncle? Funny, he never mentioned any poor relatives.” She tossed her hair like she’d just stepped out of a soap opera. “What, are you here for a handout? Let me save you the trouble—Alden’s dead, and I’m not playing charity p>
Just as she’d hoped, Zayden’s smile twitched. Disdain flickered through his eyes.
To him, she was a shallow, gaudy little thing, dripping in glitter and arrogance.
Michael’s report had painted her perfectly—vain, clueless, and clearly already moving on from Alden’s death. Otherwise, why show up dressed like a walking nightclub?
“Helena,” Zayden said smoothly, schooling his expression, “you’ve misunderstood. I was devastated to hear about Alden’s passing. I simply wanted to check in, offer support. Help you through any… mess he might’ve left behind p>
“Support?” Helena barked a laugh, loud and graceless. “Please. Your cold-fish nephew barely smiled when he was alive. Now that he’s actually dead, I finally get to breathe. Save your fake sympathy.” She inspected her nails as though they were far more interesting than the man in front of her. It was as if Alden meant nothing to her. Zayden’s stomach turned as he watched her. Heartless brat. How could Alden have been so blind?
Still, he reminded himself, her idiocy was a blessing. The dumber she was, the easier this would be.
He slid a folder across the table, a confident smirk curling his lips. “Well, I’m glad you’re not grieving. That makes this much simpler.” He tapped the folder. “Alden was going to sign this agreement before his… unfortunate passing. Since you’re his legal spouse, it now falls to you.” Inside was a tidy little contract designed to strip Helena of any claim to Delaney’s property.
g𝒶𝗅𝑛0ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰𝗈𝗺, 𝗿𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓱 𝓷𝓮𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓬𝒉𝓮𝓢
Zayden had planned every angle.
With both Delaney and her son Alden gone, the assets would naturally go to him.
But he hadn’t counted on a will. Alden, ever the meticulous one, had left everything to his wife, Helena—including Delaney’s property.
Zayden had no choice now. He had to go through her.
At first glance, she seemed like an easy mark.