Three Years After They Abandoned Me novel Chapter 62

Eleanor had always guarded the Hayes family’s reputation, but today, utterly out of character, she actually said these things right In front of everyone.

Fiona shot Andrew a look, hinting, “What’s wrong with your mother? Why does she have to let everyone know our business?”

Frowning, Andrew motioned for them to sit down first, signaling he’d handle it himself. “Mom, what on earth are you trying to do?”

“The four of you went out to eat without inviting Stella and me, so we came on our own. You paid for us, and that’s fine. But just look at what your wife said, what your son said, and what your daughter did.

“What? You guys are part of the Hayes family, and we aren’t?” Eleanor said angrily.

Not far away, Jordan was also present today. Seated at a prime vantage point, he had a clear view of the dramatic scene. He had long recognized Stella–her emaciated frame all skin and bones, eyes hollow like dried–up wells.

He was still debating whether to go over and say hi when a sudden commotion broke out at their table.

Andrew leaned in, frowning as he whispered urgently to Eleanor, “Mom, could you tone it down? Everyone’s staring.”

“Today, let everyone watch and judge for themselves. They’ve been profiting off Stella, but now they’re out feasting without inviting either of us. They didn’t even know Stella was discharged from the hospital today.” Eleanor’s voice rang out for everyone to hear.

Eleanor shot them a glare and retorted indignantly. “Aren’t you just ashamed of us? That’s why you never bring us along.”

Even Stella was stunned by Eleanor’s uncharacteristically bold move today. She felt a surge of warmth in her chest because Eleanor was standing up for her.

Seeing how they showed such blatant disregard for Stella’s dignity and reputation, Eleanor was determined to

expose them.

Andrew was about to speak, but Eleanor, with a formidable surge of defiance, cut him off. “And another thing!” she declared. “Our Stella never, not once, wanted to marry Henry. It was them who forced my granddaughter into this.

“We had an agreement that every child in the family would get a share. Max and Anna got theirs without question, but when it came to Stella, she had to fight tooth and nail to get what was rightfully hers.

“Stella told them she’d only agree to the marriage if her shares were transferred to her. She was so worried they’d tamper with the share transfer agreement that she even went out of her way to hire a lawyer.

“Stella was so worried they’d realize she knew the lawyer that she went out of her way to find a small, obscure firm. But even then, they still managed to uncover it.

“They bribed the lawyer’s boss and threatened him not to help my granddaughter anymore. My Stella has no one to rely on but me. If I don’t speak up for her, who will?”

The manager had initially come to intervene, but after hearing these words, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy,

Andrew felt everyone’s piercing stares, as if their eyes could burn holes right through him. Flustered, he spoke up. “That’s not it. My mom’s been a bit muddled lately. She just spouts nonsense sometimes. Please don’t believe her. Sorry for all the trouble, everyone.”

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Chapter 62

And then Andrew leaned in and whispered urgently into Eleanor’s ear, “Mom, isn’t that enough?”

“There’s so much more. After Stella came back, her brother beat her brutally, and my son even lashed her with a whip. As for Henry, he’s worse than an animal. He pretended to help us, but in reality, he was only after Stella’s blood.

“I know many of you saw Fiona’s tearful performance in front of the reporters the other day, I won’t deny that Stella did receive timely treatment, but let’s be clear, it was all just an act to make those four look good.

“Why should my granddaughter be sacrificed? What did she ever do wrong? All she wanted was to get into Quentiham University, have a good life, maybe even find true love, but even that man ran off with her own sister.

I

“Even the last bit of life she had left, that bastard Henry tried to take that too. She’s lost everything, If I don’t fight for her, who will?” By this point, tears were streaming down Eleanor’s face.

Stella felt a pang in her heart. “Grandma, it’s okay. See? I’m all better now.“”

Eleanor snapped. “Ever since you came back, they haven’t cared about you at all. They’ve been constantly bleeding you dry, taking money from you, and now they won’t even let you sue. Where can we possibly go to seek justice for that?”

No one could figure out how Stella managed to make so much money all by herself, but if even half of what Eleanor said was true, then the Hayes family was downright inhuman.

Most people were still inclined to believe Eleanor. After all, she was Andrew’s mother. She wouldn’t publicly shame her son like this in front of everyone if it weren’t true.

Many onlookers were whispering and nodding disapprovingly toward them. Max and the others could barely stomach their food. Fiona, seething with anger, pushed her food around distractedly and whispered urgently to Max and Anna, “Let’s get out of here.”

Anna protested reluctantly, “But we just got here.”

“Let’s just come back another time,” Fiona hissed urgently. “Can’t you see how everyone’s staring at us?” As Fiona spoke, she kept stealing furtive glances around. She felt utterly humiliated.

Andrew couldn’t calm Eleanor down at all. If it weren’t for the shares she held, he wouldn’t be in such a bind. He c ‘That damn old hag, every time she looks like she’s on death’s doorstep, but she just won’t kick the bucket.

He decided to regroup and plan this out carefully when they got home.

Max couldn’t stand it any longer either. He and the others stood up, exchanging meaningful glances with Andrew.

Inwardly.

Andrew understood their silent message. Knowing he couldn’t do anything about Eleanor, he said helplessly, “Mom, you and Stella go ahead and eat. We have other matters to attend to, so we’ll be leaving first.”

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