"If you want a kid to grow, you have to delegate power. Ethan made one decision today and you throw a tantrum. Is that how an aunt should act?"

"Go buy the tickets back. This time, if you can't handle it, just tag along to Miami Beach and relax. But from now on, you need to learn to hand your work over to Ethan."

I looked at my nephew. He snorted and turned away.

I really didn't plan to get married. And at first, I had planned to train him as my successor. I even paid to send him abroad to study. But after he graduated and came back, in six months of interning at my company, he hadn't learned a damn thing. When I tried to correct him, he argued with me. I'd wanted to use this trip to talk it through properly, maybe introduce him to some sharp young professionals his age.

Now I saw there was no point.

I'd devoted myself wholeheartedly to this family. But my brother and Linda had long since planned to swallow everything I'd built.

Did they really think I was some soft persimmon they could squeeze however they wanted?

"I'm only thirty-five. I can still have a baby."

I stood and walked toward the door.

"Stop right there." Ethan's voice turned cold. "You're already infertile. Have what baby? I don't allow you to spend the company's money treating your illness. That money is mine."

So that was it. That was why they dared to treat me like this. They figured even if I got married, I couldn't have children—so I'd have no choice but to rely on my nephew in my old age.

But even if I ended up alone, with money I could hire people. Wouldn't that be better than this?

It was precisely because of those suitors that I'd spread the rumor about being infertile in the first place.

I smiled. "I'll adopt. As long as they're willing to call me Mom, that's enough."

"Grace Dickerson, don't forget your last name." Mom finally spoke, her expression dark. "Even if you're not sick and can still have kids, your company belongs to Ethan. You can't give it to someone outside the family."

Dad jumped in. "It's the New Year. Don't stir up trouble. Book your flight home, stay there, and reflect on what you've done."

"Do what your brother said. When we get back, you'll hand the company over to Ethan."

My brother's family? A pack of ungrateful wolves. I could handle them.

But my parents' words sent my anger surging. "Why?"

"Aren't I your daughter?"