The Billionaire's Bought Bride and Instant Mom Chapter 33

Aveline

After a full day of classes and dealing with overprivileged children and their equally entitled parents, I dragged my exhausted body home, wanting nothing more than a quiet evening with Grandmother Eleanor. But the moment I stepped through the front door, I knew peace wasn't on tonight's menu.

I barely had my keys out of the lock when Richard's voice boomed through the foyer, making me wince.

"Where the hell were you last night? Do you have any idea what time you rolled in this morning?" He stormed toward me, his face purple with righteous indignation. "You disappear all night, don't answer your phone, and then waltz back in here like you own the place! What kind of man were you whoring around with this time?"

I set down my bag with deliberate calm, meeting his fury with ice-cold indifference. "I'm sorry, are you having some kind of senior moment? Because I distinctly remember you informing me that I'm not your real daughter. Which means my nocturnal activities are absolutely none of your goddamn business."

Richard's face went from purple to volcanic, but before he could explode, Monica swept into the room with Vivian trailing behind her like a faithful lapdog.

"Aveline!" Monica's voice was pure poison wrapped in synthetic sweetness. "How dare you speak to your father that way! We raised you from absolutely nothing! We fed you, clothed you, gave you a roof over your ungrateful head! The very least you could do is show some basic respect and human decency. Proper young women don't disappear overnight! Look at Vivian—she works exhausting hours, but she manages to come home at respectable times!"

I let out a harsh laugh that could have cut glass. "Oh, please. Save the Mother Teresa act for someone who's buying it. We all know exactly what you really think of me, so let's drop the concerned family bullshit."

Richard slammed his fist down on the antique side table hard enough to make the crystal vase bounce. "As long as you're living under my roof, breathing my air, eating my food, I have every fucking right to set the rules! I will not have you running around this city like some two-bit whore, dragging this family's name through the gutter!"

The sheer audacity was staggering. This piece of shit who'd literally sold me like livestock was lecturing me about family honor and sexual morality. I could buy and sell his pathetic little townhouse ten times over—hell, I could purchase half the block if I felt like flexing. The only reason I was still tolerating this three-ring circus was Grandmother Eleanor.

A slow, predatory smile spread across my face. "And what exactly are you going to do if I just... ignore you completely?"

"You little—" Richard's face contorted with rage as he lunged toward me, his hand already raised to strike.

I planted both hands on his chest and shoved him backward with every ounce of strength I had. He stumbled like a drunk, nearly eating shit on his own marble floor before Monica and Vivian managed to catch his flailing ass.

"You ungrateful, worthless bitch!" he snarled, trying to salvage what was left of his dignity while straightening his wrinkled shirt. "After everything we've sacrificed for you!"

Monica pulled him back, her voice taking on a warning tone. "Richard, let it go. Don't waste your energy on someone who clearly has no appreciation for family. We've obviously been harboring a dangerous person."

"That's it," Richard said, pointing at me with shaking fingers. "Get out. Pack your things and get out of my house!"

I shrugged, completely unbothered. "Gladly. The only reason I'm here is to spend time with Grandmother. If I wanted luxury accommodations, I certainly wouldn't choose to live with you people."

"What's all this shouting about?" Grandmother Eleanor's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She appeared in the doorway, leaning heavily on her cane but radiating the kind of authority that made everyone in the room straighten unconsciously. "Who dares to tell my granddaughter to leave?"

The moment my eyes fell on Grandmother, I had to suppress a smile of pure satisfaction.

Around her neck was the emerald and diamond necklace I'd given her—an exquisite piece from the exclusive collection I'd designed during my time in Europe. The stones caught the light beautifully, and the intricate setting showcased the flawless craftsmanship that had made my work so sought after in Geneva's luxury jewelry circles.

Vivian's gaze zeroed in on the necklace, and her mouth fell open. "Grandmother, where did you get that necklace?"

Monica stepped closer, her eyes widening as she took in the piece. "Mother, when did you buy this? It's... it's quite something."

Grandmother looked puzzled. "What's the matter? Is there something wrong with it?"

"Wrong with it?" Vivian's voice climbed to an excited squeak. "Grandmother, that's from one of the most exclusive jewelry houses in Europe! They only emerged in the luxury market about two years ago, but they've already become legendary among collectors. Each piece is completely unique, handcrafted, and there are waiting lists years long just for the chance to commission something!"

She was practically bouncing on her toes, her earlier anger forgotten in the face of such obvious wealth.

"My friend's mother spent months trying to get an appointment with them," Vivian continued breathlessly. "They don't even take orders unless you have the right connections. And their prices... Grandmother, that necklace probably costs more than most people's houses!"

Monica had moved even closer, her eyes glued to the jewelry with barely disguised hunger. "I have a wealthy friend who managed to acquire one piece from this designer, but nothing as magnificent as this. The color of those emeralds... the way the light plays off them... and the setting is absolutely perfect. Not gaudy at all, just pure elegance."

I watched their pathetic display with amusement. They were practically salivating over a piece I'd created with my own hands, not knowing they were worshipping the craftsmanship of the woman they'd just been calling worthless.

Grandmother's expression shifted to one of proud satisfaction, and she looked directly at me with twinkling eyes.

Monica caught the look immediately, and I could see the panic forming in her expression. "Mother, you're not thinking of giving this to Aveline, are you?"

The desperation in her voice was almost comical. Here was something genuinely valuable, and the thought of it going to the "ungrateful" stepdaughter was clearly torture for her.

Grandmother lifted her chin with dignified pride. "Give it to her? My dear, this beautiful necklace was a gift from Aveline to me. She presented it to me just the other morning."

The silence that followed was deafening. Monica and Vivian stared at each other, then at me, then back at the necklace, their minds clearly struggling to process this information.

Vivian's smile became strained and unnatural. "Grandmother, I'm sure Aveline meant well with her gift, but... perhaps you shouldn't wear it when you go out for your evening gathering today."

"Why not?" Grandmother asked, genuinely confused.