Female Novel
Chapter 148
Crash!
Out of nowhere, the courtyard door was kicked off its hinges! Mr. Stone, face like thunder, hobbledin on his cane, with Cheryl, sporting a bruised cheek, at his side, steadying him. Yafe followed,looking just as sour.
"Grandpa! Dad!"
Celena, jolted by the racket, dropped her papers and rushed to meet them.
However, Cheryl was on her like a storm, scattering Celena's papers to the wind before slapping herhard across the face. "I warned you! I won't let this slide! You had the nerve to hit me!"
Stunned by the blow, Celena's eyes brimmed with tears.
It was the second time today Cheryl slapped her.
In front of her grandfather and father, no less. She couldn't fathom why the Stones had it in for herso badly. Wasn't she one of them?
Why such a stark difference in the way they treated her, even though she was a granddaughter, adaughter, just like the others?novelbin
Mr. Stone didn't bat an eye at the slap. He snorted with disdain and stepped forward, his voice icyas he demanded, "Where's Liam?"
Celena stood off to the side, her hand pressed against her tear-streaked face. "He's gone out withJovie," she said, her voice quivering with hurt. "Grandfather, please, take a seat."
Despite the ache in her heart and the sting of injustice—how could her grandfather just stand bywhile Cheryl slapped her and pretended nothing happened?—Celena fetched a chair for him. Shecouldn't forget that Mr. Stone's legs weren't what they used to be, he couldn't be on his feet for toolong.
Mr. Stone's brow furrowed at her offer, and he let out a dismissive snort. "Save it. I'm not here to sit.I'm here to make it clear: you're out of the upcoming deal. Cheryl's running the show now."
Celena's heart pounded at his words. She stared at him, disbelief etched on her face. "However,Grandfather, wasn't it decided that the best plan would win the lead on the project? Didn't myproposal get the green light?"
She thought she misheard when her grandfather showed up unexpectedly, intent on stripping theproject from her grasp—and for Cheryl's sake, no less.
At that moment, she wanted to scream, to demand answers. Why was he so indifferent, so harshwith her? Wasn't she his granddaughter too, just like Cheryl?
"You're challenging me?" Mr. Stone's voice was laced with anger. "I still call the shots in the Stonefamily. Since when do I owe you explanations?"
His words cut deep, and Celena's tears fell freely. "I wouldn't dare," she murmured, her voice barelyabove a whisper. "We'll do it your way. Whatever you say goes!"
Her gaze was distant, her spirit crushed. She didn't even notice when Mr. Stone and the rest slippedaway.
"Celena, I've told you before, you'll never beat me! Anything you have, I'll take it from you. There'sno place for you in the Stone family, ever!"
With a taunting smirk, Cheryl flung those words over her shoulder as she left.
As soon as Cheryl was out the door, Celena's strength drained away, and she crumpled to the floor,hugging her knees, burying her face, and sobbing uncontrollably.
She poured her soul into preparing for days on end, foregoing sleep and food to research and learn,crafting a partnership proposal with painstaking care. And then, with just one sentence from hergrandfather, her labor of love was handed over to Cheryl.
She could not stand it!