Chapter 73

Giselle let out a cold laugh, curious to see what Anne would want to discuss.

“Let’s go outside,” she said, not wanting to risk arguing in front of her employees or customers. She stepped out of the clinic and walked to a spot away from the storefront.

“Talk.” Anne just stared coldly at her. For once, she was unusually composed. She didn’t yell or curse.

“Giselle, there’s no deep hatred between us. My mom messed with your shop once. Then you ruined my engagement. Aren’t we already even?”

Giselle almost laughed out loud. She crossed her arms and stared straight at her half-sister. “Anne, do you even believe the crap you’re saying? Are you that stupid, or do you think I am?”

“What I mean is—I don’t want to keep fighting like this. We each have our own lives. There’s no need to keep crossing lines. As for Donovan, you know full well no matter how you chase him, he will never marry you. The Kane family would never allow it.”

“So?” Giselle taunted.

“If you walk away from him for good, my mom will offer you a substantial financial settlement."

“Oh yeah?” She kept up the cold smirk. “Let’s hear it. What exactly do you consider substantial?”

“500 million dollars,” Anne said flatly, her eyes locked on Giselle’s, clearly not joking. “And on top of that, she’s willing to give you 2% of the company’s shares. With that kind of money, you can live the same life I do. Even if you do nothing for the rest of your life, you’ll never have to worry about anything.”

“Wow. That much? I’m so tempted,” Giselle said with a sneer.

“Will you agree or not?” Anne snapped, unable to stand her mocking tone.

“What do you think?” Giselle shot back. Before Anne could respond, Giselle stepped in closer, locking eyes with her. “Then let me make it crystal clear. No, I won’t agree. Unless Renee transfers the entire company to me. Once I’ve taken back everything that belonged to my grandparents and my mother, I’ll gladly hand the man over to you on a silver platter.”

“In your dreams!” Anne exploded, enraged by the audacity of that demand. “Giselle, I’m seriously trying to negotiate here. Don’t pull your lowlife crap! What I’m offering is already extremely generous. If you keep seducing Donovan, do you really think the Kane family won’t shut you down?”

“Save it,” Giselle said with a look of pure disdain. “You’ve got such a powerful mother and such tight connections with the Kanes. Surely you’re not that insecure. Let’s just compete fair and square. You go be the elegant heiress. I’ll be the shameless slut. Let’s see which style he prefers.”

Anne trembled with rage, her whole body shaking. She felt like she was being crushed under Giselle’s presence–like she was punching a pillow, all fury with nowhere to land.

Giselle had no more time to waste. But before walking away, she leaned in close and whispered mockingly in her ear, “Of course, you could always try being as desperate as I am. Maybe if you throw yourself at him right under the Kane family’s nose, you’ll win him over.”

“You filthy bitch!”

Anne instantly snapped. Those words confirmed her worst fear—something had happened between Giselle and Donovan in the bathroom. She shrieked, her voice raw with fury. “You disgusting whore! Drop dead!”

As she screamed, a massive truck rumbled past on the road nearby.