Chapter 24 Isabel
ANNA'S POV
“Relax okay, there’s no need to make such a big fuss over it, just accept it okay, it’s only natural if it’s her,” Daniel’s voice came in.
If it’s her? Who was this “her” they were talking about? Were they discussing the next person who would take over the company? And more importantly, who was the person they had in mind? The thoughts flooded my mind at once
“Don’t give me that crap, Daniel. Taking over this company is my right, and I’m not just going to stand here and watch some wannabe lowlife who you guys picked from the street come take what belongs to me,” Isabel snapped.
Her voice was sharp and cold, filled with bitterness that cut through the air like a knife.
“Isabel, we wanted you to take over because you were our only adopted daughter as of that time, but Anna is our biological daughter. It’s her right to take over, and you know it,” Mom said firmly.
My brows shot up in shock. Wait, was I hearing correctly? Did Mom just say that I was going to take over the company? That I was going to be the heir of Quinn Enterprises?
My pulse quickened. Okay, things were suddenly sounding way too serious, especially now that my name was involved. I needed to go downstairs and really understand what was going on.
“Mom, you guys can’t do this to me,” Isabel said, raising her voice even more. “I went to college for this! How do you expect me to just accept this? Is this how you do things where you come from? I devoted years preparing to take over the company, and just because you found your so-called long-lost daughter, you roll out a red carpet and make her the heiress? What does she even know about running a company?”
“Enough, Isabel,” my dad said, his voice rising as he stood from where he sat. I reached the living room just in time to see the anger in his eyes. His chair scraped backward on the floor.
“I’m not going to let you disrespect me or your mother that way,” he said firmly.
“But…”
“Don’t talk when I’m talking, young lady. I won’t tolerate that from you either,” Dad shouted, cutting her off. The room went silent for a moment.
“I thought you had changed after giving you five years,” Dad continued, his voice lower now but still filled with disappointment. “But I was wrong. You’re still the same as before. And I’ve always feared making you my heiress since I started seeing this side of you, a character that looks down on people beneath your class, that enjoys hating on others for no good reason, and when you notice that someone isn’t of use to you. You treat them like dogs. That’s not the character of an heiress to my company.”
His voice was calm but stern, each word landing like a blow.
“I’m sorry for the sudden change,” he finished, “but that’s how it’s going to be. After Larry’s burial, I’ll announce Anna to the world as my biological daughter and the heiress to Quinn Enterprises, and that’s final.”
Everyone’s eyes shifted to me as they finally noticed me standing there at the bottom of the staircase. My mouth was slightly open. I didn’t know whether to be happy for such a great opportunity or to turn it all down. I’d always wanted to build my own wealth, a company of my own. This was completely different.
Isabel turned and walked toward me, her heels clicking sharply on the floor. For a moment, I thought this might be a good time to try and talk to her again, to maybe clear the air.
“Isabel, I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier today. How about we…” I started.
But I was cut off just as quickly.
“If you think you can just come out from the streets and walk in here claiming something I’ve worked so hard to get, then you’re in for the biggest joke of your life,” Isabel said, her voice dripping with venom.
I froze, my heart suddenly feeling heavier. I just stared, speechless, shocked at how easily she could spit such harsh words.
Why does she think I am trying to steal what she has worked hard for, mom and Dad are the ones who made the decision, and not me.
She then turned toward the others. “This isn’t going to sit with me. I am not going to accept this,” she said, and without another word, she stormed off, bumping her shoulder roughly against mine as she passed.
Dad sighed and sank back onto the couch, pressing his fingers to his temples. The tension lingering in the room was thick enough to choke on.
“Dad, Mom… there was no need to make me the heiress to your company,” I said, walking toward them slowly. “I would have been fine without it.”
Dad looked up at me.
“Anna, there are so many reasons why she can’t take over the company,” he said, voice calmer now. “You’re older than her and our biological daughter. Do you know how it would look to the world if people found out that the company was given to our adopted daughter while you were here with us? And you just saw the kind of person she is. She’s short-tempered and quick to disrespect. That’s not good for the company in any way.”
“We’re not forcing you to do this, Anna,” Mom said gently. “But I’m sure you also know we’re right.”
“But… didn’t you just hear what she said? If I accept this… I don’t think we’ll ever see eye to eye,” I said honestly.
“She was just bluffing,” Dad said. “Like I said, she’s short-tempered, and she says a lot of things she doesn’t mean when she’s angry. Once she calms down and accepts the truth, you two will be fine.”
My gaze dropped to the floor. Even after hearing their reassuring words, something didn’t feel right. Isabel’s behavior wasn’t something that could simply be washed away with time.
And deep down, I had a feeling…I hadn’t seen the last of her anger.