Ashlee sniffed loudly, dabbingher dry eyes with a napkin ‘Sister, please don't be mad at Mom for usingthe charity as leverage. She just wanted us all to be together to fix this mess. We've been in so much pain lately * Anissa pickedup her crystal water glass. She took a slow sip completely ignoring Ashlee's existence.
Beatrice cleared her throat. She adjusted her pearl necklace, trying to project the aura of a grand matriarch, completely ignoringthe fact that she had been exiled.
“Anissa’ Beatrice said, using a tone of forced magnanimity. ‘Let's stop playing games. We are all aduits. Connorhas made mistakes, yes. But our family is willing to be the bigger people and forgive your recent... outbursts. Aurthur Snow might be angry now, but blood is thicker than water"
Connorleaned forward, resting his good arm on the table. He looked at Anissawith what he clearly thought was a smoldering romantic gaze.
“I know you only married my uncle to make me jealous, Anissa’ Connor said softly. “You proved your point You got my attention. But the joke is over now. It's time to come home *
Anissaslowly lowered her water glass. She stared at Connor. Her thumb pressed brutally hard against her index knuckle trying to suppress the physical urgeto vomit.
Beatrice continued, laying out the trap. “If you sign the divorce papers today, and transfer the control of the trust fund back to Connor, | will personally guarantee that you and Connor can remarry. You will still be a Snow.”
Lorraine eagerly jumpedin d eployingthe moral blackmail. *Anissa, listen 1 o her! Harding is a monster. He doesn't love you. He will use you and throw you away. Connoris your true love. And if you give the fund back, we can save your father's company. We can save the family!"
The room fell dead silent. The four of them stared at Anissa, holding their breath, waiting for the obedient desperate-for-love girf they used to knowto cave in and surrenderthe money.
Anissalooked down at herlap. Her shoulders beganto shake.
Connor smiled, thinking she was crying He started to stand up to comfort her,
Suddenly, Anissa threw her head back A loud, sharp, genuinelyhysterical laugh erupted from her throat
343% 12:39 ml
STRATES #% +120 Points at most She laughed so hard her chest ached. She wipeda tear of mirth from the comer of her eye. She looked at the four shocked faces staring at her. "Are you all suffering from collective brain damage?” Anissa asked, her voice echoing loudly in the private room. ‘Did you drink contaminated water?"
Lorraine slammed her hand on the table. “Anissal Show some respect! Anissas laughter died instantly. Her eyes turned into chips of black ice. The oppressive terrifying aura of the Snow Matriarch flooded the room, pinningthem to their chairs.
She leaned forward, planting both hands flat on the mahogany table. "You want me,” Anissa said, enunciating every single word with lethal precision To giveup my positionas the legal wife of the Emperor of Wall Street, to come backand marry a broke exiled, crippled piece of garbage who cant even pay his own hotel bill?
Connor flinched violently, his face turninga sickly gray.
Anissa turned her freezing glare to Beatrice. "And you, Beatrice. Are you 50 desperate for cash that you're hallucinating? You have no power. You have no status. You are nothing"
Beatrice's face contorted in absolute fury. She pointed a shaking finger at Anissa You ungrateful ttle bitch! You are nothingwithout us!" Anissa didn't blink She sat back in her chair, crossing her legs. The war had officially started, and she was goingto slaughter them all.