Just thinking about it now made Montes sick with regret.
She scrambled to explain,” wasn’t like that. I didn’t mean to treat you that way. Charlotte, let me explain. I thought you were just…”
She stopped herself mid sentence.
Just what? A poor girl with no background? A gold digger?
She knew better than to say it out loud.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “Just what, Mrs. Gibson?”
Monica stammered, unable to get the words out.
Charlotte gave a soft, mocking smile. “You thought I was just some broke nobody who got with Zac for his money, didn’t you?”
Monica lowered her head, avoiding her gaze.
“I actually considered taking Zac home to meet my family,” Charlotte said quietly. “I even thought about investing in the Gibson Corporation.”
Monica’s head snapped up in shock. “Then why didn’t you?”
If she had known from the start that Charlotte was the daughter of Jersey City’s wealthiest family, Wendy wouldn’t have stood a chance.
If Zac had married Charlotte back then, he would be the son–in–law of the city’s richest man. There would be no bankruptcy, no crushing debt, no collapse.
Monica could hardly breathe from the weight of her regret.
Hearing her question, Charlotte gave a faint smile. “Because your son thought the same thing you did. He didn’t think I was good enough for him.”
Monica froze, stunned into silence. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“People who take love for granted don’t get happy endings,” Charlotte said. “You can leave now. I’m not helping you.”
“I was wrong, I admit it! I’m sorry, truly!” Monica’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ll do anything. I’ll cook, I’ll clean–I’ll do whatever you want. If you want revenge, take it. Just please, help our family.”
The truth was, all their assets had been frozen or seized. Their cars their home–everything was gone. She had sold her designer bags and jewelry just to pay for her husband Mark’s hospital bills. Now, they could barely afford food.
They had moved into a run–down apartment in one of the city’s poorest neighborhoods. No elevator, roaches in the corners, rats at night. She had never lived like this in her life. With the maids long gone, she now cooked for the family herself–meals even she couldn’t bring herself to eat. She had lost weight quickly
They had reached out to every friend they had left, and no one wanted to help.
Out of options, she had come to Charlotte.
Her voice shook as it rose, desperate and raw, attracting the attention of everyone nearby.
Charlotte remained calm. “We don’t need a maid,” she said coldly. “And begging won’t change anything. In fact, watching your family fall apart? That’s exactly what I wanted to see.
“Sorry, Mrs. Gibson,” she added, eyes sharp as ice. “I don’t go around ruining people for fun. But I never forget who’s hurt me. And it’s time I settled that score.”
1/3
T
Chapter 384
Monica’s breath hitched. “Wait… are you saying you’re the reason we went bankrupt?”
+25 BONUS
“That’s right.” Charlotte stood calm and composed, a faint smile her lips as she looked at Monica. “You humiliating me back then was just one of the reasons I went after your family. Your pro ous son teamed up with the Jasper family’s adopted daughter to do the dirty work for their illegitimate son. They nearly destroyed my family. So yes–taking down the Gibson Corporation was my payback.”
“It was you?!” Monica’s face twisted with fury. “Charlotte Riley, you bitch!”
The moment she realized begging was pointless, Monica completely lost it. She started hurling insults at Charlotte, shouting at the top of her lungs.
A crowd had already begun to gather, all turning to watch the scene unfold.
