The Healing Avenger novel Chapter 72

As soon as Bernice announced she was in love and that her boyfriend was Finnegan, silence descended over the room.

Jennifer's expression grew taut, but she knew she could not stop her.

Finnegan was slightly surprised by Bernice's sudden announcement but more so moved. He knew she would be incurring her grandparents' wrath by making their relationship known at such a time.

Sure enough, Bruce smashed a cup on the floor after a moment's silence, his face as black as thunder. “Bernie, I'll pretend this never happened, so let Finnegan leave the room. Everyone here is a member of the Zimmerman family. It's not appropriate for an outsider to be here.”

Millicent said frostily, “Stop this nonsense. Hurry up and tell that outsider to leave.”

“Bernice, it's your grandfather's seventieth birthday today, so let's not upset him. Besides, as part of this family, your grandparents should be the ones who decide who you should date,” Sapphire piped up.

“Yes, that's right. Today is a day for celebration. You should stop joking around.” The rest of the Zimmerman family also started persuading her, clearly trying to team up and pressure her into kicking Finnegan out.

“Have you said enough?” Bernice seemed to have changed into a completely different person at that moment. She wore an icy look on her beautiful face.

The atmosphere in the room instantly became tense, and Bruce's expression darkened even further.

Nonetheless, Bernice did not care how they felt. She said coldly, “First of all, I don't like to joke around. Second, I'm willing to take the advice of our family's elders regarding company and family affairs. And third, it's my freedom to have a boyfriend. No one can interfere with that.”

Hugging Finnegan's arm tighter, she continued, “He's my boyfriend now. I'm here not to discuss the matter but merely to inform you. If you insist on saying he's an outsider and want him to leave, I'll leave with him.”

Finnegan gazed at her even more tenderly. Over ninety percent of the average women would choose to put the man they love in a tough spot when under pressure from their family. However, even though Bernice's entire family opposes our relationship, she staunchly defends me and stands by my side. With a girlfriend like her, what else can I possibly ask for?

Just then, Queenie rose to her feet. “Bernice, as a Zimmerman who grew up under the family's favor and care, are you going to disobey Grandpa and Grandma like this? Are you planning on severing ties with the family?”

Timothy also stood up. “You should be grateful for the kindness our family has showered over you all these years. Hurry up and apologize to Grandpa and Grandma!”

The siblings sounded as though they were chiding Bernice, but Finnegan could sense their intention to sow discord.

Turning to look at Bruce and Millicent, he noticed they looked slightly more upset. A trace of amusement flashed in his eyes. It appears these two harbor ill will toward Bernice.

Bernice maintained a calm demeanor before the pair. “Indeed, I was blessed with the family's resources while growing up. However, I don't feel I still owe the family much. That's because since I became the CEO, I've more than doubled Firebird Group's market value, and its annual profit has tripled. Who here, including Grandpa, hasn't benefited from my contributions? Do you think your current annual dividend would have increased by at least twofold without me? Stop saying I owe the family something. I've already repaid the family manyfold in my own way. Also, don't try to curb my freedom or guilt-trip me. At most, I'll cut all ties with this family.”

Everyone's expressions shifted. While they were still in disbelief over how unyielding Bernice was being, she turned to gaze at Finnegan tenderly. “Whatever it is, nobody can stop me from being with him, not even my parents.”

In other words, if even her biological parents could not deter her, the others had even less rights to do so.

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