Chapter 23 Had Money
ANNA'S POV
I sat on my bed, rolling my pen between my fingers, the familiar clicking sound echoing softly in my room. My laptop was open in front of me, its bright screen displaying a list of available wide space buildings. I was multitasking looking for a property to house both the medical pharmaceutical company I was about to open, and another space to revive my little cake business from five years ago. A business I’d carefully nurtured before my life got swept away in a whirlwind of chaos.
With everything that had suddenly happened back then — my identity revealed, James suddenly breaking up with me, the shifting family dynamics, I had no choice but to shut down my small shop. I still remember every detail of it, down to the wooden planks I’d hammered myself. It wasn’t much, but back then, it was all I could afford. A modest roadside stand where I’d hawk cupcakes with homemade frosting, praying for customers and clinging tight to dreams bigger than the oven I used to bake in.
But now — now everything was different.
The chaos had finally died down. I had a clean slate, a clearer plan, and, most importantly, resources. I wasn’t the kind of person to sit idle, waiting for others to hand me anything. And I certainly wasn’t someone who believed in depending on others for the wealth or life I wanted.
Now, I had the money — my money. I could rent or even buy a bigger space. And I wasn’t talking about just another makeshift stand. No, I was envisioning a factory. A real production line. Cakes baking in rows, shipped out daily. My brand, my recipe, my success.
And I wasn’t stopping there. I was also looking for a building for Anna’s Care Center, the name Daniel suggested for the medical pharmaceutical company. It had a nice ring to it — simple, meaningful, uniquely mine.
But as I scrolled through building after building, price after price, my eyes weren’t fully absorbing the information. My mind drifted back to that moment earlier. To Isabel.
I couldn’t shake the way she had looked at me like I was something dirty she wanted to step over. She hadn’t said a single word to me. Not even a hello. I had introduced myself politely, even stretched out my hand. She’d just… walked away. Without a blink. Without a word.
What had I done to deserve that?
We were going to be living under the same roof from now on, so this bothered me more than I thought it would. I didn’t want to start another silent battle with a family member. Bella already hated me with passion — I’d come to accept that. But Isabel? I had hoped we’d get along. Maybe even bond as sisters.
I let out a small sigh and set the pen down on my notebook, the ink almost dripping from the tip. Maybe Mom was right. Maybe she just needed time to warm up to me. It wasn’t every day your parents came home with their real daughter and expected everything to blend together perfectly.
I thought, Maybe I should try again. A kind word, an apology if needed, just a little effort. I told myself that if I tried, she’d eventually warm up to me.
But just then, I heard a faint voice. Muffled at first, but loud enough to catch my attention.
“No, this is unacceptable. I am NOT going to accept this, how can you say something like that to me, Dad?”
It was Isabel.
She wasn’t just upset. She was angry. Fuming, even.
My brows furrowed, and I got up slowly. I walked to the bedroom door and gently cracked it open, the hallway was empty except for the echo of the ongoing argument. I headed closer to the staircase, my heart thumping a bit faster now.
“Look, I’m not in a good mood right now. I’ll appreciate it if you remember I’m your father and don’t raise your voice at me,” Dad’s voice sounded… stern. Firm. Not at all the gentle voice he used earlier when we arrived.
Their voices were echoing from downstairs, probably the living room. I leaned against the railing, peeking just enough to see the scene playing out below.
Isabel stood in the center of the room, her red hair glowing under the chandelier, her posture rigid, hands clenched at her sides.
“Why wouldn’t I raise my voice? Ten years, Dad! TEN long years I’ve dreamed of taking over your company. You wanted that, you and Mom both said I’d be the one. I spent years in college, and I did a master's degree to prepare. And now? Now you’re telling me I won’t be taking over the company anymore?”
Her voice shook not with tears but with outrage.
And suddenly, everything clicked.
Earlier, Mom mentioned that plans had changed regarding her taking over the company. I thought she was joking or maybe just said that to stall the conversation. But seeing Isabel’s anger, I realized they really were serious.
But that didn’t make sense. If Isabel wasn’t going to take over the company anymore… and Daniel had shown zero interest in doing so… then who was it supposed to be?
Did Daniel change his mind?
Or… did they have someone else in mind?
“Darling, I think you should calm down and let’s talk about this quietly,” Mom said, her voice soft and soothing. She stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Isabel’s shoulder, trying to comfort her.
But Isabel quickly shook it off.
“What could you possibly say to make this okay? Tell me, Mom. Tell me why my entire future was mapped out without me, just to get ripped apart when I finally got here?”
I stepped back from the railing slightly, suddenly feeling awkward. Almost like I was invading a private moment I didn’t belong in.
But I couldn’t unhear the truth.
A small pang of unease settled in my chest. If Isabel wasn’t taking over the company… then what exactly was going on?