Anastasia and Charlotte didn't buy into Brendan's assertions. They knew the truth about their status within the Reed family. Charles Reed was only partially accepted as a member simply because he wasn't Thaddeus Reed's biological son. Thaddeus would never let Charles lead the family.
Charles, who had grown up knowing he was only part of the family out of Thaddeus's sense of duty to his mother, didn't believe Brendan for a second. After his mother's death, the Reed family's generosity dwindled. Immediate family members received substantial dividends, but Charles and his family got a mere fraction in comparison. Thaddeus normally gave five hundred thousand dollars dividends to the family members, but Charles only received hundred thousand dollars annually.
On the other hand, Claudia was already tempted, mulling over the proposition. Though meant for Ethan, the box of gifts was a tempting treasure. She figured she could hand over half to Brendan, securing their return to the Reeds, and keep the other half hidden for herself. She has a plan.
Claudia's gaze shifted from skeptical to eager. "Brendan, is what you said true? Will you let us return to the Reed family if I hand over those items? Will Charles have a chance to lead the family?"
"Absolutely," Brendan affirmed with a confident smile. "Grandpa said it himself. Have you decided, Aunt Claudia?"
Charlotte, noticing her mother's hesitation, asked anxiously, "Mom, do you still believe their lies? Have you forgotten how they treated us? Have you easily forgotten what they did to our family? To Anastasia? Anastasia knelt and begged them, got soaked in the rain, and fell ill. Did they ever care? They laughed when Anastasia kneeled in front of the Reed's gate amid heavy rain. She was even asked by the butler to move aside so as not to touch the family gate. Now they want those gifts, and you're falling for it? Mom, what's happening to you?"
Anastasia chimed in, "Mom, those gifts are Ethan's. We don't have the right to give them away."
Brendan sneered, "I knew Aunt Claudia had some influence at home, but I didn't expect your daughters to ignore you like this. They're going against your decisions. Think carefully. This is your only chance to rejoin the family. Miss it, and you'll owe us ten million dollars, not a cent less."
Claudia felt a surge of anxiety and pushed Charles. "Say something! Agree to return to the family! Don't let the chance slip away!"
Charles pulled her away. "I'm not going back! They bullied Anastasia and the rest. What's the point? If you want, go back alone!"
After years of mistreatment, Charles had had enough. Although he is still a Reed by blood by relationship, it was severed already. Thaddeus, his father, had already removed them from the family tree. Declaring to all that they no longer belonged to the Reed family. How can he still return easily after what they did to his family?
Enraged by her usually obedient husband's defiance, Claudia scratched at him. "You useless man! How will we support ourselves if we don't return? How will you pay the ten million dollars we owe them? They fought, and Anastasia and Charlotte hurried to separate them.
Growing impatient, Brendan signaled to his men. "Enough. Stop the act and find those items."
"Wait!" Claudia dashed inside, desperate to stop them. She only planned to give up half. If Brendan took everything, they'd be left with nothing.
Claudia stood before her bed, but the security men shoved her aside, uncovering two boxes beneath it. "Hey! Those are mine!" she screamed, her eyes widening in horror.
Brendan ignored her and inspected the contents—cash, title deeds, and share certificates. His excitement was palpable; these were worth over twenty million dollars.
Anastasia and the others tried to intervene but were quickly overpowered. The men took the boxes, and the Lamborghini parked outside.
"Oh, my God. They're a bunch of bandits!" Claudia cried, collapsing on the ground.
Charles shouted, "What are you crying for? It's your fault! They wouldn't have come if you hadn't bragged to them!"
Claudia fired back, "How dare you yell at me? You're the useless one!"
Seeing another argument brewing, Charlotte intervened. "Stop it! The gifts the Monroes gave Ethan have been taken. How will we explain this to him?"
"Explain my foot! Let Ethan go after the Reeds if he's got the guts!" Claudia snapped, indifferent to Ethan's opinion.
"By the way, Anastasia," Claudia turned to her, "didn't Brendan say we could return to the Reed family if we gave them those items? Run to your grandfather and tell him."
Anastasia shook off Claudia's hand coldly. "If you want to go back, ask them yourself."
Taking Sophia's hand, Anastasia walked away. She had no intention of returning to the Reeds after everything they'd done.
"You're defying me, huh?" Claudia turned to Charlotte. "Charlotte..."
"Whoever wants to go back can ask themselves," Charlotte cut her off. "I'm not returning." She left in frustration.
Charles silently followed, leaving Claudia alone, lamenting her miserable fate in the courtyard.
Ethan soon learned what had happened.
Staring blankly into the horizon, the corners of his lips curled into a cold smile. "If the Reeds have a death wish, I'll gladly grant it."