Ann hadn't expected Gideon's parents to be so opposed to her.
Feeling exposed and ashamed, she started crying and apologizing. "I'm sorry, Mom, Dad. I was just desperate and misspoke. I didn't mean it."
Gideon's mom’s expression turned stern. "Scheming against Mr. Ferguson wasn't intentional? Having a child with a married man wasn't intentional? Stealing core secrets from the Ferguson Group wasn't intentional? And holding a favor over the Fergusons' heads right in front of us to force their forgiveness wasn't intentional either? Do you have any shame at all?"
Her sharp words left Ann completely speechless.
She shrank back next to her grandmother, sobbing pitifully.
Gideon's mom shot Ann a look of disgust.
She turned to the matriarch. "Mother, wherever the Harvest family goes, we are treated with respect. If you continue to indulge her like this, she's going to destroy the good name our family has built over generations!"
Gideon's dad made his position clear. "The adoption is official, and we've visited the Fergusons. When we get back, we'll give her a sum of money to settle her affairs, but she doesn't need to return to the Harvest estate!"
Ann couldn't believe it. All she had done was use a little leverage to force the Fergusons to reconcile with her.
And now Gideon's parents were making it sound so serious.
Seeing her grandmother hesitate, Ann made a preemptive move.
"Grandma, Mom, Dad, I know you despise me and look down on me. I'll leave now. I won't hang around the Harvest estate and be an eyesore, I promise… sniff…"
With that, Ann burst into tears, jumped out of the car, and ran off.
Her grandmother immediately ordered the driver to go after her.
The old woman turned on her son. "Your younger brother died so young, leaving behind only this one daughter, and you can't even find it in your hearts to accept her!"
Gideon's mom was exasperated. "Mother, don't drag your son into this. The issue is with Ann's character. She is not fit to be in the Harvest family."
The grandmother pointed at her son and daughter-in-law. "The Harvest family was built over generations, and your brother had a share in it! Since he's gone, Ann has the right to inherit his portion of the family's assets and the right to live at the estate!"
She continued, "Even if her character is terrible, she is still your niece! We've already wronged her by not revealing her true identity, only letting her inherit half the family fortune, and having you adopt her. What more could you possibly want?"

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