Chapter 279: Let Her Enjoy as Much as She Wants.
Jerry stiffened a bit, then laughed. The sound of running water filled the room as he rinsed his hands, dried them, and pulled me into a hug.
He looked at me, eyes sparkling, and pinched my cheek. "Hope, I feel insecure because I'm not strong enough. It's not about you."
I wrapped my arms around his neck. "You've done great!"
He gently touched my face, guilt in his eyes. "Hope, if I had done better, you wouldn't have been kidnapped as a kid, and Austin wouldn't have found you two years ago."
I tried to ease his guilt. "You were just a kid when I was kidnapped. And Austin finding me wasn't your fault."
Jerry's voice deepened. "But if I were stronger, none of this would have happened."
That's human nature; no one messes with the strong.
If we had made Skylar pay for the kidnapping, she wouldn't have dared to try it again after I grew up. Same with Austin; he only threatened me because Jerry needed the Hammer family.
I hugged him tightly. "Let's work hard together, Jerry. You're not alone."
At Harris Manor, Kimberly threw a cup at her assistant. "Are you kidding me? Who cares if Madison's a big shot? She's having her party in Maple Valley! Are we not cool enough to get an invite?"
Madison's party had all the celebrities in Maple Valley buzzing. Everyone was waiting to see who'd get invited.
The Harris family had declined a bit, but they were still prominent. Kimberly didn't believe Madison would snub them, so she spread the word that Madison would send an invite.
If she didn't get one, her so-called friends would mock her.
The assistant tried to dodge but got hit, his forehead swelling. "Ms. Harris..."
Skylar came out of the elevator, frowning. "What's got you so angry?"
Kimberly glared at the assistant. "It's about that party. He couldn't get an invite."
Skylar's face darkened. "You still want to go to Madison's party?"
"Of course!" Kimberly stomped her foot. "If I can't go, people will laugh at me!"
Skylar dismissed the assistant. "What's there to laugh about? Is Madison so great? Even if she sends an invite, you're not going!"
Kimberly shot up, irritated. "Mom, why do you hate Madison so much?"
The Harris family had banned anything related to Madison, but Kimberly still liked her. She even got her autograph in high school.
Skylar's face turned cold. "I said no, and that's final. Kimberly, have I spoiled you too much? Why don't you listen?"
Kimberly insisted, "So, what's the reason? Did she seduce Dad?"
Skylar, visibly agitated, snapped back, "If you've got time to spare, think about this: once Claire recovers and Hope returns, will there even be a spot for you in the Harris family?"
"I..." Kimberly looked troubled, hiding her emotions. She grabbed Skylar's arm and whispered, "Mom, what do I do? Please, think of something. I'm begging you. If she takes over the Harris family, she'll kick me out!"
Forget getting kicked out; once Hope returned, Kimberly would lose at least half of the Harris inheritance. But all of it was supposed to be hers. Why should Hope take it away?
Skylar looked at her helplessly. "Now you're scared?"
Kimberly asked, "Aren't you scared?"
"Is being scared useful?" A hint of ruthlessness appeared in Skylar's eyes, as if she had a plan. "As long as you behave, I promise you'll get more, not less."
Kimberly looked confused. "More?"
But where would this 'more' come from?
Skylar's lips curved into a confident smile, her eyes hinting at a hidden agenda. "You'll see soon enough."
Kimberly felt relieved. "You've got it all arranged? Do we still need to do something about the nursing home?"
"No need!" Skylar poured her another glass of water and handed it to her. "Is it such a big deal that you had to get so angry and throw things? Hurting someone is one thing, but what if he gets angry and hurts you back?"
Kimberly took a sip of water and raised her chin with a smile. "I'm at home, after all! I wouldn't have done that if I was outside, to someone who is not my assistant."
"At least you have some sense!" Skylar felt relieved and reminded her, "Don't try to get an invitation to the celebration party anymore, got it? It's embarrassing!"
"I see; I'll listen to you." Kimberly agreed on the surface. If she really couldn't get an invitation, she'd just wait outside and try to get a photo with Madison to impress those small, declining families around her.
Besides, she didn't believe Madison would really snub the Harris family. The guest list probably just hadn't been sorted out yet, causing her invitation to arrive later.
Juniper got out of the car with an encrypted file bag. After facial recognition, she quickly entered Madison's house. The file bag contained the DNA report Madison had been waiting for.
Madison had just finished her morning run, took a shower, and came downstairs to see Juniper already sitting on the sofa, her sharp eyes glancing at the brown paper bag on the table.
Madison asked, "Got it?"
"Yes, I haven't looked at it yet." Juniper handed over the file bag. "You should look at it yourself."
Juniper felt a bit jittery, but Madison confidently grabbed the bag, unzipped it, and swiftly extracted the report. Her gaze locked onto the outcome without hesitation.
After reading it, Madison handed the report to her. Her face darkened. "Juniper, find out everyone Sarah interacted with before we met! Leave no stone unturned."
Sarah couldn't have done this alone. Madison wanted to see who was behind the scheme.
Juniper's face showed a wave of emotion. She didn't even need to look at the report. "Okay, I'll investigate!"
She hesitated. "Should I stop Sarah's variety show now?"
"No," Madison smiled, picked up the milk the servant brought over, and drank it slowly. "She enjoys being in variety shows, right? Let her enjoy it as much as she wants."
Juniper asked again, "What about Ms. Royston?"
"I'll contact her myself." Madison picked up her phone. She hadn't hesitated when opening the DNA report, but now she hesitated.
Juniper saw through her. "Afraid she'll blame you?"
"A little." Madison let out a bitter laugh, realizing she had been too harsh with Hope that day. But some things had to be confirmed.
Madison didn't delay any longer and dialed the number, her voice gentle but with unprecedented tension. "Hope, are you busy? Last time you said you lost the only thing your mother left you. Can you tell me what it was?"
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