LOGINShe understood perfectly well that some people came looking for trouble on purpose, showing up at their door solely for the Walton family’s wealth.And since they had lost their father early, such people came in droves, one after another.Of course she had investigated everything thoroughly.That was how she discovered that Sean’s assets overseas had long since been siphoned off.Even the people around him had disappeared without a trace.His former properties had all been sold.When she first saw this, Tessa had been genuinely shocked.Yet seeing how indifferent Sean looked, she wondered if she had misjudged him.After all, Sean didn’t look like someone who was broke.And the fact that he had once known Grace suggested their relationship couldn’t have been simple.If he had truly come from nothing, how could Grace have ever fallen for him?To Tessa, that seemed unrealistic.Sean must have had something exceptional about him.Otherwise, how could Grace’s so-called first love have been
She drew a slow breath, an odd smile spreading across her face as she looked at Sean.“So you really think that if I forgive Tessa, I’ll forgive you too?”At those words, Tessa jerked her head up.She stared at Grace in shock—could it be that Grace was actually willing to forgive them this time?She even glanced at Sean, momentarily confused.She had once thought Sean’s stories about Grace’s feelings when she was younger were just lies.But now, if Grace truly chose to forgive them, then perhaps those feelings had been real after all.If that were the case, then Sean hadn’t deceived her.The moment that thought took hold, a spark of hope flared again in Tessa’s chest.Everything suddenly seemed brighter, almost unreal.If Sean could use his looks to win Grace’s forgiveness once more, then this whole situation might still be salvageable.And if there was room to negotiate, then she wouldn’t have to worry about prison anymore.With that thought, Tessa looked at Grace with open expectatio
Arnold stood beside Grace, watching her with quiet concern.He couldn’t help wondering—if Grace softened again and chose to forgive Tessa this time, what would he do then?After all, this situation wasn’t entirely black and white.Sean certainly bore responsibility, but before he appeared, Tessa had always followed the rules and stayed by Grace’s side.If Grace chose to be lenient toward Tessa, Arnold could understand it.Yet at the same time, he felt she shouldn’t.Because the one who had truly suffered all these years was Aurora.It was Tessa’s presence that led to Aurora being treated unfairly time and again.Grace had even pushed aside her own biological child to care for someone with no blood ties.Just thinking about it made Arnold feel uneasy.Sean noticed this hesitation as well, and his heart skipped.What if Grace really did forgive Tessa—what would that mean for him?The offenses they had committed were no small matter.Tessa had been raised by Grace and had stayed by her si
Grace no longer had any desire to be kind to Tessa.She knew perfectly well that Tessa was only clinging to her now because the situation had turned against her and she had nowhere left to go.She was simply trying to latch onto Grace in a last attempt to avoid being sent to prison.Anyone with half a brain could see that.Let alone Grace, who had run Walton Corporation for so many years—she understood these things all too clearly.Folding her arms, Grace fixed Tessa with a sharp, cutting gaze.“Are you saying this because you’re afraid I’ll send you to prison, or because you truly realize you were wrong? You know the answer best yourself.”At those words, Tessa froze where she stood.She hadn’t expected Grace to be this direct.She had always believed there would still be room to turn things around, that Grace wouldn’t truly do anything to her.Because of that belief, she had begged with such certainty.She was convinced Grace would soften in the end and stand on her side.It was prec
So, she asked the question without thinking.She hadn’t expected the mother who once cherished her most to say something like that.Tessa’s voice trembled with sobs. “Mom, I really regret it. I’m truly sorry. Whatever you need to know, I’ll tell you everything. I really am sorry.”At that moment, Tessa was a mess of tears and sniffles, looking utterly pitiful.And she understood very clearly whose support mattered most right now.Since Sean no longer had any value, how could she possibly continue standing on his side?Besides, Sean had never treated her that well to begin with.All he ever wanted was to use her to get his hands on shares of Walton Corporation.Tessa had seen all of this clearly.She knew exactly what kind of person Sean was.But that last trace of blood ties had kept her clinging to false hope.She thought that since he was her biological father, he must love her, so why not try working with him?That was why she chose to trust him, betting on that tiny, almost nonexis
But now, Arnold truly understood that power was indeed a useful thing.Only after being trampled underfoot and finally tasting that feeling does one truly understand it.Moreover, he didn’t think Grace was wrong at all—this man’s mouth really was foul.Grace pointed straight at Sean’s nose.“If you keep running that filthy mouth, I’m warning you, you should go rinse it out in the bathroom.“Your mouth is like a sewer. How do you even bring yourself to say such disgusting things and still have the nerve to accuse others? Do you really think you’re any better?”The second slap sent Sean’s anger completely over the edge.“Grace, what exactly are you trying to do?”His voice was already laced with fury.He hadn’t expected this woman to dare slap him twice in front of so many people.The first time, perhaps he hadn’t reacted in time.But a second time?Even now, he still found it hard to believe.“Do you think I really wouldn’t dare hit a woman?”The moment the words left his mouth, before







