Gideon rolled up the window, annoyed. Claudia didn't like Ann James. If he wanted to pursue Claudia, he'd have to cut ties with Ann first. Just as the Harvest family's car drove away, Ann got out of a taxi not far down the road. She jogged over to intercept Laurel's family. "Mom, Fiona, Backus, don't go."
The sight of Ann sent a fresh wave of fury through the James family. They had hoped to cash in big on Ann and her mother, but they'd come away with nothing. At least they had listened to Mrs. Windsor and caused a scene today, netting a hundred thousand dollars from her. Otherwise, they wouldn't have seen another cent. Laurel's teeth were clenched in resentment. "Mrs. Quinn's daughter? I wouldn't dare claim you."
A sheen of sweat broke out on Ann's forehead. "Mom, we're family. No matter what happens, you raised me. You'll always be my mom." Fiona Yves shoved Ann away. "Give me a break! At the wedding, you were thick as thieves with that tramp Selene. You think we're easy to bully?" Ann pleaded humbly, "Fiona, Mom, Backus, my aunt's wedding was live-streamed. The entire internet is cursing us out, and my aunt lost the baby." Fiona shot back, "You brought it on yourselves. You deserve it!"
Ann cried, "I know you're angry, but you have to help me get through this." Backus, furious, pointed a finger at her. "The second you got into a rich family, you blocked all of us. You have the nerve to ask for our help now?" Ann tried to shift the blame. "It wasn't me! The matriarch forced me to cut ties with my past." She then tried to entice them, "Even though my aunt miscarried, she and Mr. Quinn are legally married. She's the true mistress of the Harvest family, and I have Harvest blood in me."
Ann grabbed Laurel's hand. "Mom, if you, Backus, and Fiona go public and help 'clear up the misunderstanding' for my aunt and me, we'll give you a huge sum of money." She continued, "That Mrs. Windsor is York Ferguson's fiancée's mother. She's just using you. Don't listen to her. Whatever she gave you, I'll double it." Fiona's eyes lit up at the mention of money. "How do you want us to help?"
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