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42 — BEGGARS AT HER TABLE

Author: Blaq
last update Last Updated: 2025-07-13 23:53:38

CLAIRE

“Dad, are you sure about this?” I pace to the huge bay windows of the conference room, restlessness gnawing at the pit of my stomach.

These past few months have been nothing but disaster after disaster. My family’s financial state has taken a huge hit. From our branches being closed down to our warehouses being attacked by fire outbreaks, I now live with the perpetual fear of receiving another phone call bearing bad news.

At this rate, we might eventually go bankrupt. How will I afford to fund the campaigns for my election as president of the Women’s Corporation if that happens?

I was born into glamour and luxury. That is the only lifestyle I know. If we go bankrupt, what then? Will I be forced to wallow with the middle class? Pay for economy seats instead of first class?

Over my dead body.

My friends and acquaintances would have a field day mocking me and my family. I will become a laughing stock.

As if I’m not already suffering enough, Astrid’s sudden return to New York and
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  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   45 — I KNOW YOU’RE HAPPY TO SEE ME…

    ASTRIDMy guards must sense his bad vibes because they step forward, forming a human wall in front of me.Michael responds to the gesture with a smile — a dark, slight tilt of his lips that sends shivers down my spine.“There’s no need for all of that. I assure you that you’re safe with me.” A heavy pause, then; “The boss would have my head if a strand of hair on your body is harmed on my watch.”My heart tightens as I mull over that statement. What the hell is that supposed to mean?“I apologize for my lateness.” I finally speak up, lifting my chin. “Where is your boss? I’d still love to speak to him today, if possible.”He shakes his head and my heart falls.“You’re eight hours late, Miss Machiavelli. You’ve missed your chance.” He flicks an uninterested glance at my men, his expression as cold as ice.“Besides, you also violated the boss’ order. He specifically asked you to come alone.”“Does your boss have any ulterior motives? Does he intend to hurt me?”Something flashes in Mic

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   44 — I KNOW YOU’RE HAPPY TO SEE ME…

    SILVANI wait and wait and wait.She doesn’t show up.I don’t pace. I don’t storm around the office and threaten bloody murder. I don’t slam things around or yank off every single strand of my hair like I would have done in the past.Instead, I cancel all my meetings for the day and sit behind my desk, clenching and unclenching my fists, stewing in silence and impatience.Earlier, I hired private investigators to do a little digging into the life of Astrid Machiavelli. Not less than fifty pictures of two beautiful little girls are currently spread across my table. Two little girls who look exactly like me.The pictures were hard to find. Astrid was very careful to keep the kids — our kids — away from the media.Looking at them now, something shifts inside of me. Something… soft and light.A painful ache started in my heart the second Michael unearthed those photos, and it hasn’t let up since.I cannot breathe. I cannot speak. I cannot fucking think.There’s an invisible noose around

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   43 — EMBARASSING THE ENEMY…

    ASTRIDClaire takes one look at my emotionless expression and the fight drains out of her. Immediately.She understands that her hands are tied. Smart woman.“Fine.” She spins towards Philip. “I apologize.”That’s the rudest apology in the history of apologies, but I’ll rectify her smart-ass behaviour very, very soon.Claire stomps to one of the chairs and takes her seat, huffing, puffing and muttering profanities under her breath.“Can we start now? Or will I have to apologize to all of your staff as well?”I lift my chin and stare her down, my voice hard when I speak;“I do not care for your tone, Claire.”“And I don’t —“I slam an open palm on the glass table and she jumps, her eyes widening in shock.“I don’t think you understand what I meant.” I growl, my voice cutting through the air with the sharpness of a blade.“You’re in my territory, my establishment, therefore you will address me with respect. Do you fucking understand?!”Claire holds my gaze, her eyes blazing with pride,

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   42 — BEGGARS AT HER TABLE

    CLAIRE“Dad, are you sure about this?” I pace to the huge bay windows of the conference room, restlessness gnawing at the pit of my stomach.These past few months have been nothing but disaster after disaster. My family’s financial state has taken a huge hit. From our branches being closed down to our warehouses being attacked by fire outbreaks, I now live with the perpetual fear of receiving another phone call bearing bad news. At this rate, we might eventually go bankrupt. How will I afford to fund the campaigns for my election as president of the Women’s Corporation if that happens? I was born into glamour and luxury. That is the only lifestyle I know. If we go bankrupt, what then? Will I be forced to wallow with the middle class? Pay for economy seats instead of first class?Over my dead body.My friends and acquaintances would have a field day mocking me and my family. I will become a laughing stock.As if I’m not already suffering enough, Astrid’s sudden return to New York and

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   41 — SILVAN FINDS OUT…

    SILVANThe private jet lands at the JFK International Airport and I exhale for the first time in what feels like hours.Just like swimming, there’s something about flying that evokes an itchy feeling of numbness and suffocation deep within the confines of my heart.The flight attendant unseals the door and my security detail motions me towards a waiting SUV. It’s been an exhausting two days in South Korea. Exhausting but fruitful. I finally signed a contract with the top real estate firm in Korea to procure an entire estate for my new project. This purchase cost me billions of dollars. It wasn’t necessary, considering the fact that I have thousands of real estate properties scattered across the world, including a dozen in South Korea already, but I was feeling restless.When I feel restless, I don’t smoke, drink or burn extra calories in the gym. I make investments. I acquire properties — sometimes entire blocks, companies or chains of businesses. Every single time I add another pr

  • Dear Ex-husband, My Stepbrother is Your Replacement.   40 — BRAND NEW CEO…

    After a long night of tossing, turning and mulling over everything that went down the previous night, I wake up the next morning after an hour of fitful sleep with a horrible migraine and the realization that I may have overreacted.I am honestly surprised at myself. It’s been a while since anyone triggered me enough to let my unhinged side run free. Now I have to deal with the realization that I may have annoyed Mr. Anonymous Businessman. He’d probably never want to meet me again. Chalking it up to exhaustion, I roll off the soft, satin covers of my bed and pad barefoot across the enormous Machiavelli mansion, all the way to the kitchen. “Mommeeee!!” Zara screeches, her little legs pounding the marble counter when she sees me.All my worries instantly disappear at the sight of her bright, cheeky smile and her perfectly slicked back hair. Her little pink outfit is so cute, my heart does flip flops.“Hi, my babyyy!!!” I hurry towards her, my hands outstretched. When I finally have

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