Chapter 9 _

"Look who came running back" The sarcastic response from the lady made Ashley roll her eyes. She had just fifteen minutes to talk to the mother and daughter before lunch break was over.

As it appears, Cameron indeed fulfilled his promise of having lunch with the new secretary so that they could bond well like old days.

"I demand to see your mother" Ashley said straight up which made Winnie's brows arch.

"And what exactly do you need her mother for?"

Recognizing the voice behind her, she turned around to face her step mother, Lucy Hart. The very same lady who ruined her mother's life by getting entangled with her husband.

"I need to speak to you urgently"

The mother and daughter shared brief gazes before looking around the full restaurant. They had no choice than to leave for their office unless they want the customers to hear some nasty secrets about the people who runs the restaurant.

Once they got to the office space meant for Lucy, Ashley took a seat before her while Winnie stood behind her mother.

"What exactly do you want?!"

"I want the share of what my dad left behind for my mother and I"

The two broke out into a mocking laughter. Ashley was already used to this reaction. She gets it everytime she comes by to demand for the same thing hoping that they'll change their mind.

"Oh poor dear Ashley, don't you learn at all? Your father never left anything for you or your miserable mother. Everything was given to my daughter and I. We were kind enough to fulfill your father's last wishes by getting you married to someone who would accept you and your pathetic son--

"Not one more word against my son!" Ashley spat with a finger pointed at the older lady.

A deep smirk pressed on their lips showing Ashley the kind of devil they truly were. There was no way that her father who loved her mother and his first daughter so much wouldn't leave anything behind for them. That was impossible!

"Please shut up! There's no point of coming back here with the same sad story every single time Ashley, if you want to beg, then go down on your knees and do it. I might be kind enough to spare you some change"

Ashley's jaw ticked in anger. Every one of her misfortune started with the arrival of these two. And they were so selfish to take everything to themselves.

"I will never beg you or your mother for something that rightfully belongs to me and my mother!" She stood to her feet and slammed her palm on the desk separating them. "I'll get every single penny back from you two"

Winnie chuckled. Her arm was crossed over her chest as she took slow steps to Ashley.

"That's almost as hard as finding your son's real father! Slut-

The loud echo from the slap Ashley sent to Winnie shocked Lucy.

"Say one more word against my son and I'll make sure you regret it!"

"How dare you hit my daughter-

Ashley snapped her head to the older woman who was about to scold her. Just a single slap and she was already so panicked about her daughter's safety and what about her who have been tolerating beatings from Andrew?!

Ashley took the black scarf around her neck off revealing the red and purplish bruise on her nape. She pointed a finger to it. Her eyes had turned red and she was at the verge of breaking down into tears.

"This is what I have to endure from the monster you sent my way! I really don't care anymore if I'm addressed as a single mother! All I want is part of me and my mother's share of my father's money to give Keith and her a better life!" Her voice cracked with each word she spat in pain and agony.

For a second, it seemed as if her words had managed to penetrate their thick skulls as they suddenly went quiet staring at her with nothing but pity in their eyes.

The looks on their faces changed instantly from pity to the one of mockery and soon, they burst out into laughter.

"You deserve whatever that is coming your way. You have no choice but to remain in that abusive marriage if you really want your mother alive" Lucy gave Ashley the final blow to her face.