The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 144

144 A Stepmother’s Bitter Confrontation

Hazel’s POV

The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office. I thumbed through the financial reports Quentin Young, my newly hired manager, had prepared. The numbers were impressive. My company had grown faster than I’d anticipated.

“These projections look solid,” I said, looking up at Quentin. “You’ve done excellent work streamlining our supply chain.”

Quentin, a trim man with shrewd eyes and salt-and-pepper hair, nodded. “Thank you, Ms. Shaw. I’ve also identified three potential production partners in Milan that could cut our manufacturing costs by eighteen percent.”

I made a note on my tablet. “Set up meetings with them next month when I’m there for Fashion Week.”

A knock interrupted us. Cherry, my assistant, poked her head in, her expression strained.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Ms. Shaw, but your stepmother is here. She’s demanding to see you immediately.”

I set down my pen, unsurprised. With my father’s company in ruins after his failed attempt to frame me for fraud, it was only a matter of time before Tanya came begging.

“How long has she been waiting?” I asked, maintaining my composure.

“About fifteen minutes. She’s making quite a scene in reception.”

I exchanged a glance with Quentin, who raised an eyebrow.

“Tell her I’m in an important meeting that can’t be interrupted,” I said. “Direct her to the coffee shop across the street. Tell her I’ll meet her there in thirty minutes.”

Cherry nodded and disappeared. I turned back to Quentin.

“Let’s continue. I want to finalize this expansion plan before the board meeting

tomorrow.”

For the next half hour, we worked methodically through the business plan. Six months ago, I would have dropped everything to accommodate Tanya’s demands. Not anymore. I’d learned that power came not just from what you could do, but from what you could make others wait for.

When we finished, I gathered my designer handbag and sunglasses.

“Cherry, I’m heading to the coffee shop. Take messages for any

any calls.”

The summer heat hit me as I stepped onto the sidewalk. I walked unhurriedly, letting the knowledge that Tanya was stewing in her own impatience fuel my confidence.

Through the coffee shop window, I spotted her immediately. Her once-immaculate appearance had slipped. Her highlights needed touching up, and her designer outfit was from last season. Financial ruin didn’t suit her.

She was berating Cherry, who had apparently escorted her there and stayed to ensure she didn’t return to my office.

“-think you can treat me like some common person,” Tanya was saying, her voice carrying through the shop. “I am still Mrs. Shaw, and that thieving stepdaughter of mine has stolen what rightfully belongs to our family!”

Cherry’s response was measured but firm. “Ms. Shaw earned everything she has through her own talent and hard work. Unlike some people who married into wealth they didn’t deserve.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Cherry had sass. I liked that.

Tanya’s face contorted with fury. “How dare you speak to me that way! I’ll have your job for this!”

“That won’t be possible,” I said, stepping forward. All eyes turned to me. “Cherry works for me, not you. And from what I just heard, she deserves a raise.”

Cherry suppressed a smile.

Tanya’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Hazel Shaw! You’re finally here! I thought you wouldn’t dare to see me!”

“Why would I hide, Tanya?” I slid into the seat opposite her, placing my sunglasses on the table. “I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Tanya’s nostrils flared. “You’ve ruined us! Your father is selling our home because of your vindictive scheming!”

I gestured for Cherry to bring me a coffee. “No, Tanya. My father is selling your home because he committed fraud, got caught, and now has to pay the consequences.”

“He did it for our family!”

“He did it for himself,” I corrected her. “And you encouraged every bad decision he made.”

Tanya’s eyes welled with tears that I knew were as fake as her designer handbag. “We have nowhere to go. How can you be so heartless to your own family?”

I almost laughed at that. “Family? When have you ever treated me like family? Was it family when you threw out all my mother’s belongings the day after you moved in? Or when you made me live in the converted garage?”

Cherry returned with my coffee. I thanked her and took a sip, savoring both the rich flavor and Tanya’s growing discomfort.

“That was different,” Tanya mumbled. “Your father was angry with you then.”

“And now I’m indifferent to both of you,” I replied, setting down my cup. “Which is a significant improvement over how I used to feel.”

Tanya’s facade cracked. “We need money, Hazel. Just enough to get established somewhere new. Harold refuses to ask you, but I’m not too proud.”

“No, you’re not,” I agreed. “You’ve never been too proud to take what isn’t yours.”

She reached across the table, clutching my wrist. “Please. I know I wasn’t the best stepmother, but I did provide you a home.”

I looked pointedly at her hand until she released me. “A home? You mean the garage you converted because you needed my bedroom for your shoes?”

“You were always difficult,” she hissed. “Always thinking you were better than us because of your precious talent.”

I smoothed my skirt. “And it turns out I was right.”

Tanya’s desperation morphed into bitterness. “You think you’ve won because you have

144 A Stepmother’s Bitter Confrontation

money now? You’re still alone. Alistair left you. Ivy got what she wanted in the end.”

The barb was meant to hurt, but it barely stung. “And look how that turned out for her. She’s gone, and Alistair is a broken man who lost everything that mattered-including

me.”

“You heartless witch,” Tanya spat. “My daughter is dead, and you sit here gloating!”

I leaned forward. “I never wished death on Ivy. But I won’t pretend to mourn someone who dedicated her life to stealing mine.”

Tanya grabbed her purse. “I knew coming here was a mistake. You’ve always been selfish.”

“Selfish?” I laughed without humor. “I gave blood to keep Alistair alive for years. I worked myself to exhaustion building a business that supported your family’s lavish lifestyle. I endured Ivy’s constant sabotage without complaint. Don’t talk to me about selfishness.”

“So you won’t help us?” Tanya stood, trembling with rage.

I looked up at her, calm and unmoved. “I didn’t say that.”

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