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Chapter 3
When Regina saw me, she barely acknowledged my presence with a grunt and tossed the gift I brought onto the pile without a second glance.
She had never liked me. In her eyes, I was never good enough for her son–just a woman as useless as a hen who couldn’t lay eggs.
Meanwhile, Shalane handed the old woman a pearl bracelet with a sweet smile, and my mother–in–law’s face instantly lit up. Regina slipped it onto her wrist, admiring it as she beamed.
“Oh, Shalane, you always know what I like! I love pearls–it makes my mood light up!”
Then, she turned to me with a sneer.
“Not like some people, always looking like they’re at a funeral. Even their gifts bring bad luck.”
Just then, Brent’s grip on my hand loosened. The moment he saw the children, he let go completely and rushed toward them.
“Galvin! Devin! Did you miss Daddy?”
He knelt and pulled them both into a tight hug.
Shalane watched them with a soft, satisfied smile–like a wife watching her husband with their children. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she reached out and kissed my husband’s cheek.
Brent’s hand lifted to brush aside the loose strands of hair at her temple as he asked gently, “Was the flight exhausting? Were Galvin and Devin well–behaved?”
And then, as if suddenly remembering his actual wife was still standing there, he cleared his throat, took the little boy’s hand, and led him toward me.
“Camryn, this is Galvin. He’s the big brother.”
The boy looked almost exactly like Shalane, with just a faint resemblance to Brent in the shape of his thin lips and almond eyes.
The boy took one look at me and scrunched up his face in disgust.
“You’re ugly! Not even a little bit as pretty as my mom.”
Then he turned back to Brent, tugging at his sleeve.
“Daddy, you promised me a big gift for my 10th birthday. What is it?”
Brent’s lips twitched at his rudeness, but he still answered patiently, “It’s already prepared. But you need to mind your manners–this is Aunt Camryn. Say hello.”
The boy immediately lifted his chin, glaring at me defiantly.
“I know who you are. You’re that shameless woman who stole my dad. We don’t like you. Go away!”
Brent froze, caught off guard. He was just about to scold him when Shalane stepped in with a gentle laugh.
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“Brent, he’s just a kid. He doesn’t mean it. Don’t be too harsh. He barely gets to see you–of course, he’d feel upset.”
Brent’s face tightened with guilt. He crouched down, smoothing the boy’s hair.
“Galvin, be good. Daddy will spend more time with you from now on, okay?”
Then, as if to prove his words, he stood up and clapped his hands. Immediately, a line of servants approached, each carrying a carefully wrapped gift.
“Shalane, this is the villa I bought for you and the kids. This time, don’t go back to London.” With a flourish, he lifted the first red silk cover–a property deed.
Then the second–a Rolls–Royce Cullinan key and registration.
And finally, the third–a custom–made, no–limit black card.
I had never seen Brent this thoughtful before. From jewelry to cars to their favorite meals- every little detail, accounted for.
What was supposed to be a birthday party had turned into a damn luxury showcase.
Brent, still smiling at Shalane and the kids, nodded at the lawyer beside him.
The lawyer picked up the mic and cleared his throat.
“On behalf of Mr. Brent Ceppetelli, I hereby announce the following agreement: 40% of Ceppetelli Co.’s shares will be gifted to Galvin and Devin Ceppetelli. Additionally, 10% of Ceppetelli Co.’s shares will be granted to Miss Shalane Shepley. This agreement has been notarized and is effective immediately.”
The whole room went silent.
Fifty percent of Ceppetelli Co.–that’s billions of dollars in assets!
Then, all at once, the guests erupted in congratulations, swarming around Shalane.
I just stood there and laughed.
What a joke!
I gave this company 20 years of my life! And not once did Brent ever mention giving me shares.
But Shalane? He was so worried about her future, he made sure she had 10%-just in case. It couldn’t be clearer. Who he cared about, and who he didn’t.
Brent finally turned to me, as if realizing for the first time that I was still here.
“Camryn, don’t overthink this. Giving shares to Galvin and Devin is just to secure their future.”
