Chapter 116
"Useless! All of you are useless!" Ashley was trembling with rage. She shoved the butler's hand away and stumbled toward the full-length mirror.
The reflection showed a pale, haggard face. The dignified elegance she once wore had been replaced by fury and illness.
She barely recognized herself. Was she really getting old? Was she really no match for that young woman Juliana? Lucas—the son who used to obey her every word—now openly defied her.
No. She wouldn't accept it. Absolutely not!
Head-on confrontation wasn't working. Lucas had grown too powerful. If she kept using family and company pressure to force him, it would only backfire. He'd already turned his back on his own mother—what did he care about empty rules and traditions?
"I still have options..."
She muttered to herself, her mind racing.
In the mirror, her clouded eyes flashed with cunning. Like ghostly fire suddenly igniting in dark water—calculated and vicious.
No matter how cold Lucas was, she was still his mother. That was unchangeable fact.
Blood ties were the deepest bond between them—and her last card to play. She would use that connection, exploit whatever traces of "family affection" or "guilt" might still exist in Lucas's heart.
Since confronting him directly didn't work, she'd change tactics.
She'd make him understand—he could ignore her feelings, but he couldn't ignore her health. He couldn't ignore his duty as a son or let the Sharp family's reputation be destroyed.
She took a deep breath, trying to calm the pain in her chest. She would make Lucas kick Juliana out of the Sharp family with his own hands. She'd show Juliana what real despair felt like.
"Butler." She turned around, her expression already composed. "Prepare a legal notice. I'm suing David for embezzling company assets and fleeing with the money."
The butler froze, then quickly nodded. "Yes, Mrs. Sharp."
He understood. Mrs. Sharp was cutting ties completely. With David missing, this was the perfect time to clean house. Accusing him of embezzlement would not only clear her name but also silence him forever—he'd never dare reveal those dark secrets.
Ashley watched the butler leave, her eyes flashing with cruelty.
As for Juliana... She looked back at the mirror. She'd make Juliana understand—even if she could win Lucas's heart, she'd never win the Sharp family's acceptance.
She picked up her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello, it's me. I need you to arrange something. Tomorrow I'm going to the hospital for a full medical exam. Yes, comprehensive. Find someone we know and make sure the results... you know what to do. Have the doctor tell me my health is terrible, that I could... yes, exactly. Make sure Lucas finds out."
She hung up, her face resuming its usual authority.
She reopened her laptop. The screen still showed all those rejection emails. Her fingers brushed across the screen. The cold touch couldn't cool the rage burning in her chest.
Lucas, you think you've won?
This show is far from over.
……
That afternoon, Juliana drove to the school.
In the distance, a familiar figure came into view.
Damian's homeroom teacher, Ms. Penny.
Ms. Penny walked to the car window, a strained smile on her face. "Dr. Wells, you're here."
Juliana nodded.
"Dr. Wells, the thing is, the school was recently acquired by private owners. The new management has new admission standards—they only accept their own descendants and children from elite families. Damian and Matthew might not meet these new criteria." Ms. Penny spoke delicately, but her meaning was clear. "So we need you to transfer them as soon as possible. Of course, we'll refund the tuition in full."
Juliana's brow furrowed, anger surging through her.
"Ms. Penny, what are you saying? The school getting bought out is the school's business. What does that have to do with my children's enrollment? And what do you mean they 'don't meet the standards'? My kids have been excellent students here. They've never broken any rules. What gives you the right to demand they transfer?"
Ms. Penny was taken aback by Juliana's intensity. Her smile froze. "Dr. Wells, this... this isn't my personal decision. It's the new management's policy. You see, they're re-screening all the students. We're just following orders."
"Screening? Sounds more like class warfare to me!" Juliana laughed coldly, her eyes flashing. "Damian and Matthew—their father's last name is Sharp. You think they don't meet your 'elite standards'?" She dropped Lucas's identity directly.
Ms. Penny's face went white. Of course she knew who Lucas was. But the directive from above was targeting Juliana specifically. She'd thought Juliana was just some ordinary doctor. She hadn't expected her to be this sharp.
"Dr. Wells, please don't make this difficult for us teachers. The school's decision is out of our hands." Ms. Penny's tone softened. "Maybe you should look at other elite schools. Honestly, they probably have better facilities anyway."
"Other schools? Why would I take them anywhere else? They're doing perfectly fine here!" Juliana gripped the steering wheel tighter, her chest heaving.
"Juliana, that temper of yours hasn't changed one bit." An authoritative voice came from behind.
Juliana turned around. Ashley was approaching, surrounded by several bodyguards.
She wore an elegant designer dress, her hair perfectly styled, a faint smirk on her face.
Ms. Penny's face went instantly pale. She bowed quickly. "Mrs. Sharp!"
Ashley's gaze landed on Juliana, then swept over the school bags visible in the car.
"What's going on here?"
Ms. Penny nervously repeated the situation.
After listening, Ashley's lips curved into an ambiguous smile. "Oh? New management? And who exactly is this new management?"
Ms. Penny stammered, not daring to answer.
"Since the school's been acquired, I suppose I'll join the fun." Ashley waved her hand. One of her assistants immediately stepped forward and handed her a document. Ashley glanced at it, then passed it to Ms. Penny.
"Go tell your new management that the Sharp Group is very interested in this school. Right now, on behalf of the Sharp Group, I'm formally offering to buy this school. Whatever the previous purchase price was—I'll pay double."
Ashley's words rang out clear and decisive.