Chapter 5 THE LAST STRAW
Dandelion.
"That promiscuous daughter of yours is probably outside sleeping around again. You're just worried for nothing."
Margaret's voice cut through the air like a knife.
I stood frozen by the door, my hand still gripping the doorknob.
My hair was still damp from the river.
I'd rehearsed a dozen explanations on the drive home.
Excuses, Half-truths, Anything that might make me seem less pathetic.
But all those thoughts scattered when I heard her voice.
Should I just leave? and Go back to another lake?
Since that demon wouldn't even let me die on his property.
My stomach twisted.
I wasn't ready for another backlash. Not after last night.
Malcolm's voice joined, smug and taunting as usual.
"Honestly, Dad, with her reputation? She's probably with another man right now. Someone richer this time."
Mildred laughed, "She's trending everywhere! Who knows how many men she has slept with."
I pressed a hand over my mouth to stop myself from crying again.
Their cruelty shouldn't shock me.
But today... today it cut deeper.
Maybe because if I had succeeded in ending my life, they wouldn't even care.
"Enough. She's still my daughter." My Dad intervene
Hope flickered within me.
Margaret scoffed loudly.
"Your daughter who brought shame on this family?, do you know how embarrassed I felt when the board contacted me today asking if the rumors were true. I couldn't even defend her."
"I always knew she had a wild side." Malcolm chimed in.
Something in me snapped, I pushed the door open.
They went Silent staring at me with nothing but disgust.
"Look who finally decided to show her face." Margaret sneered.
I wanted to scream and tell them that I didn't do any of the things I'm being accused of.
But they would never believe me, so I swallowed my words, and walked toward the stairs, ignoring her remark.
"Dandelion, wait." My Dad called out.
I stopped.
"Where were you last night?, Did you sleep around again?" He asked.
A dozen answers crowded my throat, but none came out.
Margaret rolled her eyes.
"Maxwell, don't waste your time. She's clearly been out doin—"
"Enough!" My Dad yelled cutting her off, he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Dandelion. You've caused this family great embarrassment so... there's a decision we've made."
I looked up in confusion.
"You're being formally disinherited. Effective immediately."
I stared at him in disbelief, "What?"
Mr. Graham was right.
My mother's company and the suspicious clause in her will, It was all connected and planned out all along.
Margaret smiled victoriously.
"This is for your own good. Maybe losing everything will teach you humility."
"You're taking everything? Because of a scandal that isn't even true?"
"Remember the clause in the Will," he said. "Any form of Misconduct will render you ineligible to take over the company, You must accept the consequences."
I stared in shock, how could he be so cruel.
I have to leave this toxic environment, No. this country, I'll leave the country immediately.
I nodded once, and walked upstairs without looking back.
In my bedroom, I changed into another outfit, a large hoodie and a nose mask to hide my face, I packed my belongings silently, zipped my suitcase hard and dragged it downstairs quickly.
Malcom raised a brow.
"Are you Leaving already?" Mildred asked in a mocking tone.
Margaret sneered"How convenient"
I ignored her heading towards the door.
My Dad called after me, "Where are you going? I didn't ask you to leave."
But I didn't look back.
\---
The Airport
I drove straight to Greenville International Airport.
Inside, I walked to the nearest counter.
"One ticket. Immediate flight."
I pushed my card forward. "Of course" she replied curtly
The clerk typed. She suddenly paused and frowned.
"Miss... your account is frozen."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
"Your card was declined. Multiple times."
I pulled out another card, still declined. Then another also declined. They were all frozen
Leona, She did this to me, now I can't even use my own money.
I stepped back, feeling dizzy.
Then I heard whispers.
"Is that Dandelion Williams?"
"Is She trying to run away."
Phones lifted immediately, their Cameras flashing blindly at me.
"Miss Williams! Did you sleep your way to the top?"
"Are you fleeing because you're guilty?"
They were enclosing on me, I panicked and ran out quickly, dragging my suitcase hurriedly.
I reached my car and collapsed into the driver's seat.
Resting my head on the steering wheel.
Now I officially have nothing.
No money, No family to support me, worst of all no way to escape.
But then... a name whispered in my mind.
Alexander Graham.
The devil I swore never to return to, but desperation tasted worse than pride.
I turned the car around.
And drove straight back to his penthouse.
Right back to the only person who pulled me from death once.
Straight into the devil's den.