Chapter 16
But before Josephine could finish speaking, Red pulled Lavender into his arms and said, “If you don’t want to acknowledge parents like that, then cut ties. Simple as that.”
Cutting off family is seen by many as an unforgivable act.
After all, your parents gave you life. No matter how many mistakes they’ve made, children aren’t supposed to say such things.
When Lavender had tried to sever ties with her family earlier, Red hadn’t been there. But now, seeing how deeply she’d been wronged, he backed her without hesitation.
From childhood to now, no one had ever chosen Lavender so firmly, so unquestionably.
Stan’s expression stiffened. “Mr. Ralston, with all due respect, this is a private family
matter…”
“She’s my fiancée now. Her business is my business. If she’s being mistreated, then you’re disrespecting me too.”
Roy didn’t miss the chance to add fuel to the fire.
“Sir, you weren’t here earlier, but this entire family was ganging up on Ma’am Lavender. They even twisted the truth about my relationship with her.
“All that effort Ma’am Lavender put into preparing those gifts for them–what a waste. This family doesn’t deserve any of it!”
No one had anything to say to defend themselves.
Desmond had already collapsed from blood loss, unconscious on the floor. But at this point, the Winslet couple could barely keep themselves afloat–much less worry about him.
“Well, since they clearly don’t value it, take everything back,” Red ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Roy replied.
Before they left, Roy deliberately stood at the door and read aloud everything that had been in the gift boxes.
“Tsk. What a shame. Some people just aren’t meant to enjoy gifts like this.
“This is ten billion cash. This is ten luxury homes, ten top–of–the–line supercars, and a variety of priceless treasures. Let’s take them all!”
Stan’s face turned blotchy red and green.
Yes, the Shens had money, but in the world of the wealthy elite, they’d only just stepped into the door.
And what Red had gifted them? It was worth nearly their entire family fortune.
“Mr. Ralston, this is clearly a misunderstanding. Lavender is our biological daughter. Why wouldn’t we love her?” Stan said, trying to salvage the situation.
“She’s flesh of our flesh–tied to us by blood. Surely this doesn’t have to escalate to cutting ties over a simple disagreement.”
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But Red’s expression remained cold. The warmth Stan was trying to show was met with an icy wall.
Still unwilling to give up, Stan stepped toward Lavender and said softly, “Lavender, I know you’ve misunderstood us over the years, but in the end-”
But Lavender lifted her gaze and met her father’s eyes, her voice calm and unwavering. “If you want my forgiveness, there’s one condition: Cyanne has to leave this family.”
Just seconds ago, Stan had been all about reconciliation. Now his face darkened.
“You really can’t tolerate Yannie?” he said, his tone heavy.
“You want me to accept the woman who wrecked my marriage?” Lavender raised a brow. “Do
you not hear how absurd that sounds? So what’s your decision?”
Her eyes flicked from her father to her mother.
They both looked pained, caught in the middle–yet unwilling to act.
Lavender had already guessed what their choice would be. A faint, emotionless smile tugged at her lips. “If you hate me this much, why did you even bother giving birth to me? Mr. and Mrs. Winslet, from this day forward, I have nothing to do with this family anymore.”
Her voice echoed through the living room, landing clearly in their ears.
When Josephine instinctively stepped forward, Cyanne dropped to her knees, clutching Lavender’s pant leg and crying desperately, “Mom, Big sis, Mr. Ralson… If I leave this family, I’ll have nothing left!”
She sobbed so desperately that Josephine’s heart softened.
But between the palm and the back of the hand, there’s always one you protect more.
And in Josephine’s heart, Cyanne would always be the palm.
At that moment, Lavender saw the undeniable truth with complete clarity–and whatever thread had been tying her to that family finally snapped.
She took off her bracelet, the only gift Josephine had ever given her.
Well–technically it wasn’t a gift. It had been a freebie that came with a purchase for
Cyanne.
Still, Lavender had worn it for years, always telling herself, ‘ Mom does love me. Just… not
that much.
But from this moment forward, she would never lie to herself again.
“Here,” she said, placing the bracelet on the table. “You can have this back.”
Then she turned and took Red’s hand.
They were just about to reach the door when Josephine suddenly rushed after them.
“Lavender, I do love you,” she cried. “I just… never knew how to show it. I…”
Lavender looked over her shoulder, her face blank. “Mrs. Winslet, save those words for Cyanne.”
Then, she turned to her fiance, “Red, let’s go.”
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She gripped his hand tightly, and the two of them walked out the door–leaving Desmond and the Winslets behind for good.
