“Smack!”


    Another p flew from my hand. “Let that be a lesson in respect. I’m your elder sister, and Caleb, he’s


    your brother–inw. Calling him an imbecile, do you have any idea who you’re messing with? You


    think you can cross the Langleys? Without their backing, do the Larsons really want to go bankrupt?”


    Coraline just stood there, gobsmacked. She stared at me, trying to make sense of the sudden storm I


    had be–so different from the past.


    I didn’t bother with her confusion and brushed past her, heading into the living room.


    There, Foebe’s so–called father was perched on the sofa like some kind of dignitary.


    Seeing me, he put on a weing act. “Ah, there you are, Foebe. Take a seat. You’re a hero to the


    Langley family now. You’ll need to take good care of that little one you’re carrying.


    I managed a smile, eyeing this ‘father‘ of mine. “You’re right, Dad. This baby is the Langley’s sole heir.


    Once it’s born, it will be the future head of the family.”


    My “father” Anthony Larson gave me a scrutinizing look and spoke nonchntly. “Seems like you’ve


    figured things out, huh?”


    I stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.


    “Now that Brendan’s out of the picture and Samuel has no chance of taking over, you’ve got a hold of


    that ‘fool. Take care of the baby, and you’ll be the real head of the Langleys,” Anthony


    ventured.


    I knew exactly what he wanted–to use me as a puppet, to control the Langleys through me.


    But what was his leverage? Something Foebe cared about?


    “Right now, I pretty much call the shots in the Langley household,” I boasted, puffing myself up like a


    peacock. I wanted to see what threats Anthony would dangle.


    “Dad!” Coraline, who must have taken her sweet timeing to terms with the ps, barged in,


    outraged. “Dad, she hit me!”


    “Can’t you see your father and I are discussing important matters? Have you no sense of decorum, no


    poise befitting ady of stature? Get out!” I scolded Coraline, clearly displeased.


    Fuming, Coraline bit back. “Dad!”


    Anthony frowned at me, realizing I was getting too big for my boots.


    Exclusive ? content by N(?)ve/l/Drama.Org.


    “Dad, we’re talking business here. What’s she doing interrupting?” I asked in a low voiceced with


    threat.


    We were both testing each other’s limits, so let’s test them properly.


    16:16


    “Leave us.” Anthony instructed Coraline.


    She was shocked: Anthony had never dismissed her like that before.


    “Dad…” she protested weakly.


    “Just go,” he waved her off.


    Reluctantly, Coraline stormed out, throwing me a venomous look on her way. “Getting all high and


    mighty for what? Marrying a fool.”


    I kept quiet, leaning back on the sofa, eyes on Anthony.


    “Now that you’re effectively in charge of the Langley family, you should start getting a hold of the


    company to help the Larsons out of this mess,” Anthony reminded me.


    “Sorry, Dad, but I can’t help. I may be with the Langleys now, but I don’t have any power. Brendan’s


    away, and Henry’s got thepany in a vice grip. He’s got connections everywhere: I’m not about to


    poke that bear,” I said ndly.


    Anthony’s brows knitted together. “Your main task was to secure the Langley shares for me. Getting


    cold feet? Don’t forget, your grandmother’s treatment is on the Larson’s dime. Or do you think the


    Langleys will waste their time on some olddy who doesn’t matter to them?”


    I paused, caught off guard by his revtion.


    But this grandmother?


    I raised my hand to my forehead, massaging away the tension. The grandmother?


    Was it Foebe’s after she was switched at birth and raised by someone else?


    But shouldn’t that be Coraline’s actual grandmother?


    t


    Coraline really was an ingrate.