Chapter 26: A Family Dispute
“Are you planning to return to Wisteria Apartment tonight?” Landon asked after dropping her off.
“Yes.” Tessa didn’t enjoy staying here. She’d only come back for dinner because her grandfather had insisted.
“Call me when you’re done. I’ll pick you up.”
“There’s no need; I can get back on my own.”
“Just go inside,” Landon said firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Tessa nodded, recognizing his goodwill. She didn’t dislike Landon’s presence. In fact, deep down, she felt an odd sense of comfort and even a little anticipation when he was around–though she couldn’t explain why.
Landon’s silver Lamborghini pulled away, heading back.
Meanwhile, Winona, returning home in a black Mercedes, caught sight of the car. She quickly rolled down her window, trying to catch a glimpse of the driver’s face. But the tinted, anti–peep windows gave her nothing to work with.
As the Mercedes pulled up at the Sinclair estate, Winona stepped out of the car, surprised to see Tessa lingering by the gate.
“Who was that man just now?”
Tessa didn’t even glance at her. The household staff, hearing the sound of their arrival, opened the heavy iron gates. Without a word, Tessa walked in.
Seeing her ignored, Winona’s temper flared.
“Tessa, what’s with that attitude? I’m your sister! I’m just worried you might be getting deceived. Do you even know how many older werewolves rent luxury cars to prey on pretty young females like you?”
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ll manage,” Tessa replied dismissively. If it had been anyone else, she might have taken the warning seriously. But coming from Winona? It was laughable.
Nobody in the world wished her ill more than her so–called sister.
Inside the estate, Walter was already waiting downstairs accompanied by Yardley Sinclair, the family patriarch.
“Dad, you’re back!” Winona exclaimed, rushing over to embrace him. “I missed you so much.”
Since sustaining injuries during the vampire–war five years ago, Yardley had been undergoing rehabilitation at a werewolf hospital.
Yardley patted Winona on the back.
“How’s school going? The college entrance exams are coming up–focus and do your best.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I’m consistently in the top five of my year. I’ll definitely get into an Ivy League
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Chapter 26: A Family Dispute
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Yardley’s gaze landed on Tessa, and his expression soured. The daughter who had humiliated the family five years ago… How could he feel anything but disappointment seeing her now?
“Why are you even back here? Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?”
His warm demeanor toward Winona was gone, replaced by disdain for Tessa.
“It was my decision to bring her back!” Walter barked, slamming his cane against the floor. “Do I not even have a say in my own household anymore?”
Tessa moved to Walter’s side, gently rubbing his back to calm him down.
“Grandpa, don’t get upset. It’s bad for your health.”
“Tessie, I know you mean well, but I can’t just sit by and watch them treat you like this,” Walter replied angrily.
“Dad,” Yardley interjected, his tone tight. “I understand you’ve always doted on her, but this time, she really crossed the line-”
“Crossed the line? And you’ve never made mistakes in your life?” Walter shot back.
*Please don’t get mad, Grandpa. Dad, he’s just worried about you,” Winona chimed in sweetly, trying to diffuse the tension.
“Enough. Let’s eat,” Walter declared, cutting the argument short.
Walter pulled Tessa to sit beside him at the dining table Yardley, Winona, and Lila each took their seats as well.
Dinner began in tense silence, each person harboring their own thoughts.
Toward the end of the meal, Walter finally broke the quiet.
“I didn’t just call Tessie back for dinner tonight,” he announced.
The other three turned to look at him, though Tessa remained as uninterested as ever.
“I still hold 20% of Sinclair Corp’s shares. I’ve decided to transfer them to Tessie. That way, she’ll have some security.”
Sinclair Corp might not rival Thorne Corp, but it was a top–ten company in Navoris and the Sinclair family primary financial lifeline, supporting the Frostmoon Pack as well.
“Dad, what are you talking about? You can’t just give your shares to Tessa!” Yardley protested, his tone sharp.
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