Chapter 36

Chapter 36:

Lowell picked up the sheet of paper that had fluttered to the floor. He read through the text, then cried out in disbelief, “You want to cut ties with us?”

“What did you say?” Connor rushed over and snatched the document from his son’s hand. Sure enough, Janice wanted to cut ties with the Edwards family. “I don’t believe this! Such insolence!”

He never imagined that Janice would have the gall to pull such a move. Did she truly mean it when she said she wanted to sever ties with the Edwards family?

“Dad, is that worthless girl actually serious?” Lowell’s scowl deepened. “Or is it just another calculated move on her part to force us into keeping her? Perhaps she’s expecting us to beg her to stay.”

“Let me see that.” Having recovered from the initial shock, Laurie joined them and took the document from Connor. The more she read through the text, the more confused she became. Had she misunderstood the situation?

It suddenly occurred to her that ever since Janice returned to the family, she had never asked them for anything. In fact, it was Janice who had lent her care and support to the rest of them in various ways.

If Janice had any ulterior motives, why would she go so far as to prepare this agreement to cut ties for them to sign?

The document would take effect the moment they affixed their signatures to it, and Janice would no longer be connected to them in any way.

“I’m sure this is just another one of her schemes, Mom,” Lowell sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. “She would be a fool to give up the Edwards family’s support. Go ahead and sign it, Dad. She’ll panic once she sees your signature. She just might grovel right on the spot.”

“All right!” Connor nodded, fully convinced by his son’s reasoning. He plucked the pen from his pocket and signed his name at the bottom of the document.

Lowell followed suit, signing his name as well.

L𝑎t𝑒st ch𝑎pt𝑒rs in gαl𝑛ovels.cøm

Laurie, however, hesitated. Her mind was in turmoil, and she had the vague sense that something important was slipping away from her grasp.

Meanwhile, Delilah watched the scene unfold with a blank expression, though deep inside, she was rejoicing. Cut ties with the Edwards family? Janice was really useless! With this, the legacy of the Edwards family would all belong to her.

She thought Janice would be able to keep playing their little game a bit longer. Who knew Janice would give up so soon?

Delilah was confident that she had won this round.

While all of that was happening, Janice made her way to a small attic upstairs. This dark and musty place had been her room for the last year. Looking back now, she realized how foolish she had been, enduring so much injustice for the sake of these meaningless family ties.

But it was all in the past.

She used to have high hopes for these people, but she no longer desired any form of familial affection. From now on, she would live only for herself.

Janice stepped into the cramped space and began packing her things.

Ironically enough, after spending an entire year in this house, she only needed a single backpack to carry everything she owned, all of which were things she had brought with her from the orphanage.

Janice picked up a box from the bedside table. Inside was a red bracelet with a heart-shaped pendant. It was the first bracelet she had designed, back when she was still at the orphanage. It held significant value.

She had always worn it, hoping to one day give it to her biological mother. But she discovered the ugly nature of her blood family before she even got the chance to give it to Laurie. This bracelet would never belong to her mother now, as Laurie didn’t deserve it.

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