Breaking Mr. Cold (Giselle and Donovan) novel Chapter 210

"Getting your marriage paperwork?" Renee seized on the words instantly, her voice sharp. "Don't forget, you're still a daughter of the Holt family. If you're getting married, you need your father's and my consent first."

Giselle didn't bother answering her and looked straight at Tony. "Where are my documents? If you don't hand them over, I'll go upstairs and find them myself."

Before Tony could respond, Anne descended the stairs, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Mom's right. You're still Dad's daughter. Before you get married, shouldn't both families meet and talk? Especially about the wedding settlement. That's something that needs a serious discussion."

Renee nodded in agreement, then gave Gideon a slow, assessing look. "From what I hear, Mr. Grayson, you've got no parents. You're an orphan.

"Your only family is your godfather, Ethan Kane. If Ethan doesn't approve of this marriage, neither Tony nor I will. And if he does, then we'll follow proper custom. Your godfather will need to propose formally and bring the wedding settlement. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

Gideon honestly hadn't thought that far ahead. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, then looked at Giselle. "On this, I'll go entirely with whatever Giselle decides. However she wants to handle it, I'll follow her lead. What I can promise is that she will never suffer in this marriage. You can count on that."

To Giselle, Renee's words were nothing but noise. She hadn't planned to speak further, but the provocation was too much. "Renee, are you actually expecting me to give you a big payout for having me married off?"

Renee gave a thin smile. "Let's set our past aside. Tony and I raised you for 20 years. Everything you've eaten, worn, or used came from our marital assets. Now that you're marrying, don't you think you owe us something in return?"

"I don't want your dinner." Giselle snapped, seeing him start to dodge the issue again. "I'm going upstairs right now to get my documents, and once I have them, we're done. We'll no longer be father and daughter."

As she started toward the stairs, Renee stepped in front of her, eyes blazing. "Think you can just storm around here? This house is mine, not your father's alone. If you want to get anything done, you start by respecting me as your stepmother. Go ahead. Try snooping in my home without permission."

Anne jumped in, fanning the flames. "Bitch, you disgrace our family, then think you can just snag some rebound sucker and cut ties with us? Let me tell you, if you want to walk away, fine. But you're going to pay this family compensation first."

At the heart of it, Anne still couldn't stomach the fact that after Donovan dumped Giselle, she'd managed to land someone like Gideon.