Chapter 5
The room fell into shocked silence.]
My future mother–in–law, who had always treated me like her own daughter, had arrived right on schedule after receiving my desperate text from the bathroom. She held up a folder of stock certificates, her gaze sweeping coldly across the table of stunned trust fund heirs.[]
Ryder immediately rushed over, trying to snatch the documents from his mother’s hand.[]
“Mom, have you lost your mind? Piper’s being reckless, and now you’re joining her? She’s so poor she had to work through college–she’s probably never even seen Texas Hold’em before! She doesn’t understand the rules and is guaranteed to lose. How could you risk our entire family fortune for her?”
Mrs. Kane narrowed her eyes at her son.]]
“You’re worried I’ll lose the inheritance you haven’t earned yet? Too bad. You don’t have succession rights yet, and frankly, compared to your irresponsible behavior, I have far more faith in Piper!“]
Seeing disaster looming, Victoria hurried over to clutch her adoptive mother’s arm.]
“Mom, she’s an outsider! You can’t favor her this much! Look at the screen–at her disgusting past! How could someone so filthy ever be worthy of becoming a Kane?“]]
Mrs. Kane laughed coldly.
“What, and you’re more worthy? Speaking of outsiders, aren’t you one too? Using someone’s trauma as entertainment–how vicious. You don’t have a shred of Kane family dignity.“[]
The others gaped in disbelief, unable to comprehend why the legendary Iron Lady of the business world would stake her entire fortune on someone like me.
Jackson, whose father’s wealth afforded him some standing among the older generation, quickly stood to smooth things over.
“Mrs. Kane, we were just having some fun among ourselves. Why take it so seriously? If word gets out about discord among our families, won’t the public just laugh at us all?“]]
Mrs. Kane smiled fiercely as she walked over to shut off the projector, then draped her shawl around my nearly–naked shoulders. She threw open the double doors, revealing a crowd of waiting media representatives.
“You’re right–the elite circles have indeed declined, especially with your generation. It appears you’ve become a genuine concern for us old–timers. Since that’s the case, I’ll teach you all a lesson your parents should have! If you’re scared, go home and put on your diapers–don’t expect to inherit your parents‘ empires!”
The room erupted as everyone realized Mrs. Kane wasn’t bluffing.]
Jackson, always proud, couldn’t back down from such a challenge.
“Fine! Since you’re so eager, I’m all in! I already run the Blake Corporation in all but name–I’ll match your bet with all our shares! Let’s see what magic this nobody has that could possibly turn the tables against seasoned players like us!“]
The other players, unwilling to be outdone, quickly joined in. Though none could risk their entire family fortunes, these young heirs controlled significant shares of their respective companies and placed their bets accordingly.[]
“We’re all in! Let’s show our cards now! You’ll see what our generation is made of!”
“Mrs. Kane, maybe keep your son’s shares for your retirement. Don’t blame us young folks when you lose everything–we’ll catch hell from our parents too!”
“Our parents will laugh themselves silly when they learn the legendary Mrs. Kane was bankrupted by a bunch of kids!“]
I looked gratefully at Mrs. Kane.
You’ve already helped me so much by coming here. We really don’t need to stake everything…“[]
She squeezed my shoulder with confident reassurance.]
“I know what I’m doing, and I believe in you. Besides, shouldn’t you be calling me something else by now?“[]
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