Chapter 81 Shamelessly Asking Grace for Money
"Cutting ties. You wish. I've invested so much of my energy and money in raising you all these years. Now that you're capable, you want to sever our relationship. You're nothing but an ingrate!" Zach vented all his frustrations.
Grace listened on, a trace of a wry smile playing on her lips.
"So, what do you want, then?"
Upon hearing Grace's words, Zach's countenance softened ever so slightly.
Did this mean that regardless of what he asked, Grace might agree?
"When you were at the company before, aspiring to lead the fragrance department, I didn't hinder your ambition, yet you obstinately departed from the company, establishing your own studio, taking away so many clients and resources, actions to which Dad hasn't uttered a word."
Grace witnessed the pinnacle of shamelessness. Her studio's clients and resources had nothing to do with the Lewis Group.
She hadn't taken a single client from the Lewis Group. She also knew that when Tom Reed targeted her, the Lewis Group, fearing to offend people, secretly supported and joined other companies in boycotting her brand.
Although Zach did these actions behind Grace's back, he thought she was unaware.
"First of all, I became in charge of the fragrance department because of my own abilities. Secondly, when I left the company, I didn't take away any resources. I'm busy and don't have time to waste on you. Just tell me what you want to do."
"I'll be direct then," Zach expressed, unwilling to beat around the bush.
After all the build-up, there was really only one thing he wanted.
"Word has it that your sales were great on your opening day. You must have made quite a bit of profit. You are a member of the Lewis family, and your company is considered a subsidiary of the Lewis Group. In the future, you will inevitably have to develop under the name of the Lewis Group. The company is currently facing some difficulties and needs some money. Your father hopes that you can contribute."
He was currently truly impoverished and unable to extract any money from Gunter. He couldn't possibly send Madison over to accompany that beast.
Grace had never seen anyone demand money with such audacity. To the unknowing, one might even think she owes Zach money.
"Do I look like a fool to you?"
Zach glared at Grace. "What do you mean by that?"
"You should know that my brand has only been open for a day, and I'm already in debt everywhere. Besides, Madison spent a million at my place just yesterday; she doesn't seem to be lacking funds. The spokesperson she has enlisted must command a fee in the millions, to say the least."
"If you're shameless enough to borrow money, you might as well ask Madison for it. She looks like she has a lot of money."
Zach paused in bewilderment. 'Madison spent a million yesterday?'
In the past, Zach wouldn't have cared about such a small amount of money. But now, one million dollars was already a lot to him. Madison was still spending so lavishly.
"Grace, you are also about to marry into the Montgomery family soon, and Patrick Montgomery loves you as his daughter-in-law, so if you go and ask Patrick, he will definitely give you the money."
Even if Grace lacked funds, she could always turn to the Montgomery family, as Zach believed.
"Otherwise, you can go and marry Patrick. Then the entire Montgomery family will be yours."
"What are you talking about?" Zach didn't expect Grace to be so heartless, to be so ruthless in her actions.
If he could marry, he would have done so long ago. Right now, he even wished he was a woman so he could please Gunter.
"Grace, your mother left when you were young. I raised you; I took care of you. You must repay me for this nurturing grace!
"For so many years, I have never mistreated you. I fed you and sheltered you. Do you really think you would have grown up without me?"
Now, Zach was bringing up all of this, using it as an excuse to ask for money. He had no shame left.
"Nurturing grace, huh? When my mother was still alive, you were cheating on her. The child of your mistress is older than me. My mom hadn't even been dead for long when you brought the mistress into our home. Madison isn't much younger than me, is she? When you remarried, you already had two illegitimate daughters.
"Since Taylor entered the scene, my room was taken by force, and I was forced to live in the warehouse. Everything I do seems to be amiss, and at the slightest cry from Madison, you unjustly berate me. When I pursued higher education, you even didn't provide me with basic living expenses.
"I can offer you monetary compensation, but perhaps it is prudent for you to meticulously calculate the total sum expended on my upbringing throughout these years. I am willing to provide you with the principal and accrued interest, contingent upon your signature on a formal document of filial relationship dissolution. Henceforth, our ties shall be severed completely.
"And, if you tell Patrick that you can break off my engagement with Ryan, I am prepared to extend another financial offer. Feel free to propose a sum—whether it be one billion or two billion—and I can write an IOU and pay you in installments."
As long as she could break off the engagement, even if it meant more money, Grace was willing.
Although she didn't have any money at the moment, she believed she could earn it.
Zach disagreed, "That's impossible."
He knew he hadn't spent much money on Grace all these years. Even if Grace were to repay him now, it probably wouldn't be more than a few million. Breaking off the engagement with the Montgomery family would be even more impossible. He couldn't give up this important family connection.
"Well, then, there's nothing to discuss," Grace said bluntly and opened the door. "Get out."
"Grace, who gave you the right to speak to me like this?" Zach was furious. He was holding back his anger since he hadn't received any money.
"Are you planning to hit me?" Grace looked at Zach fearlessly.
Zach looked at Grace's eyes, which were so sharp and piercing. When did his daughter become so intimidating?
"Zach, don't even think about doing anything behind my back. I've already consulted lawyers and the police. If anything happens to me, you'll be the prime suspect and the first one to be arrested!"
"You!" Zach raised his hand, genuinely wanting to hit Grace.
"Domestic violence carries a minimum detention of fifteen days. You know better than I do what will happen to Lewis Group once you come out of jail."
Zach's outstretched palm recoiled abruptly. He couldn't afford to be incarcerated any longer, lest the company suffer irreparable consequences.
But he couldn't swallow his anger either.
"You wait and see!" Zach threatened as he left, giving Grace a resentful glare.
Grace didn't pay any attention to Zach. She had a myriad of tasks demanding her attention.
Zach didn't get a single cent from Grace. After coming out, he regretted his impulsiveness.
However, he couldn't control his temper when he saw Grace. If he had just acted a bit more submissive, would Grace have given him the money?
But now that he had left, he couldn't possibly go back.
Zach wanted to invite his usual buddies out for a meal and catch up. Some of them were aware of the situation at Lewis Group so they claimed they were too busy to join.
After much effort, he managed to persuade only two or three people to come out.
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