Chapter 93: BOOTH LICKERS
Erika couldn’t believe the nonsense Adrian was spouting. He seems to be dreaming way too big to think that she would convince her Ethan to partner with these booth lickers. Years ago, when she was still a member of the family, non of them had taken her thoughts and suggestions into consideration but now that they need her, they are acting as if everything was cool between them.
"I won’t do such", Erika stated firmly. She didn’t care about what they could do to her that’s if they could even force her. It is her decision besides, it is her company.
The faces of the Hart family changed for the worse upon hearing Erika’s negative response.
"Listen here, don’t think that because you have a powerful backup I won’t slap you here and now", Mary threatened. "You’d better do what’s good for the family. Don’t forget we took you in when you had no one beside you."
Erika faced her with an icy look that sent shivers down her body. She stood up from her chair to match their heights so they won’t tower her before asking,
"You took me me? Please mention the one good thing that you’ve ever done for me since I married into your wretched family?"
Her tone was heavy and demanding. Mary couldn’t bring herself to answer the question directed towards her.
"As far as I know, it was only grandma Elizabeth who took me in, fed me and took care of me but where is she now?" Her eyes piercing a hole in Mary’s forehead. "She is dead and why? Because she thought that the closet person to her couldn’t do such a thing".
The whole family were now confused. They had been informed that the late matriarch died due to normal sicknesses and they had no clue what the truth was.
"Come on, Mary. The cat caught your tongue? I thought you were about to brag about how you took me in so why don’t give list the good things you’ve ever done for me?" She demanded but Mary couldn’t utter a word because she knew that there was nothing to list in the first place.
"And now that I’ve been able to escape from your clutches, you all are crawling back to me, shamelessly and now you demanded a partnership from me? How more delusional can you all be?" She nearly yelled out of frustration.
The shameless family couldn’t think of anything other than money so there was no shame in their vocabulary.
"Erika, am begging for forgiveness now! Could you please forgive us?" Adrian begged.
’Is this some joke?’ Erika thought to herself. Couldn’t they read between the lines that there was no forgiveness and there was no hope of any partnership or relationship?
"You have your wife Adrian. If you want some partnership, then all you have to do is request from her. I’m sure she would know what to do", Said Erika. She faced the confused Felicia and slightly smirked at her. "She has a lot of influential acquaintances so am sure she would be of some use to you", she added.
Adam glanced at his daughter in law who was bowing her head as if refusing to make eye contact.
"Felicia can’t help. She is an empty barrel, you are the real daughter in law of the Hart family, Erika. Don’t let our past mistakes make you think we are bad people", Adam pleaded.
He seemed to not want to give up yet, thought Erika.
"Adam Hart, I won’t be partnering with your company, remarry your son or ask my husband, Ethan Anderson to partner with your company either", she declared and left from there. She didn’t want to speak to them at all since they couldn’t understand anything that didn’t include partnership. "Peasants", she mumbled.
Erika moved to a chair in another corner, leaving the Hart family in a flabbergasted state. "She remarried?" They all mumbled in unison.
"How is that possible? How can Erika remarry and most importantly, how can she marry Ethan Anderson?" Juliet questioned.
"She could be lying", Said Mary. "There wasn’t any ring on her finger."
"But that’s old fashioned mom, not every married women wear that anymore. I mean, look at Felicia’s finger, she isn’t wearing one", Juliet pointed out and everyone swiftly moved their necks to glance at Felicia’s finger.
"I forgot to put it on today", she answered their inner questions.
Adam released a tiring sigh. He had hoped to convince Erika for her to remarry Adrian But now that she has remarried, there wasn’t any hope left for them.
Adrain noticed his dad’s tired expression and said,
"Dad, go ahead. I will speak with Erika", to which Felicia quickly interrupted.
"Why are you going there? She said she is married so she is of no help to us", she tried to convince them.
"Will you just keep quiet!" Yelled Adam. "If there is anyone who is totally useless now then it’s you". Annoyance and frustration was clearly written on his face.
Embarrassment gripped Felicia to the point she couldn’t move from where she stood. Some people glanced at her before whispering to the other person next to them.
Adrain didn’t waste anymore time there before he started searching for Erika, whom he found sitting at another corner.
When Erika saw her ex husband walking towards her, she couldn’t help but release a grunt in frustration.
Adrain pulled out a chair for himself without permission and sat down. Erika didn’t bother to get up and leave this time besides, she was there first.
"Can we talk?" Adrian requested and Erika simply stared blankly at him.
"Why?" She asked.
It was at this moment that Adrain realized that he didn’t know what exactly he wanted to talk to her about.
He cleared his throat before asking,
"When did you and Ethan Anderson get married? Did you really move on from our marriage and let another marry you just like that?"
Erika was at loss of words. ’Why is he making it sound like as if I cheated on him?’ She thought to herself.
