The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 73

What an absolutely spectacular, high-society theatrical performance.

She even noticed Harriet, who had always been kind to her, standing far away in the corner of the dining room, her back turned as she secretly wiped away tears.

In this house, Annelise was truly, profoundly alone.

Slowly, Annelise placed her fork down on the silverware rest.

She didn't make a single sound.

She looked up at the head of the table, meeting the judgmental stare of her mother-in-law.

"Mom, I hear exactly what you're saying."

Her voice was remarkably calm, as still and flat as a dead lake.

"But before I give you my answer, I have a few questions I need cleared up."

Lizzie frowned, clearly unprepared for this kind of reaction.

In her mind, Annelise should either be crying and begging for mercy or flipping the table in a fit of rage.

She shouldn't be sitting there, cool as a detached observer, casually asking questions.

Ignoring the glaring impatience on Lizzie's face, Annelise went right ahead and asked her first question.

"First, you mentioned I can't have children. I'd like to know which hospital and which doctor provided that official diagnostic report?"

Lizzie froze.

"Second." Annelise's gaze drifted over to Clarissa and Hackett.

"You said Hackett and Clarissa 'found comfort in each other during hard times.' So, I'd like to ask—exactly when did these 'hard times' start?"

"Was it before I married him? Or after?"

"Was it when I was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for my life? Or was it when they were sneaking around behind my back to have a baby?"

"Third." Her eyes snapped back to Lizzie's face.

"You said the Lehman family 'will make sure I'm well compensated.' I want to know exactly what those terms entail."

"Does that mean the thirty percent of shares my father left me will remain untouched for me to take? Or does this 'generous compensation' require me to hand those shares over in exchange?"

Three rapid-fire questions, landing like three stinging slaps right across the faces of the Lehman family.

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