Chapter 10
My father was the first to speak among my so–called family. “Oh, Leanna, I’m really proud of your kids–they‘ ve accomplished so much! Look, we’re all family, right? There’s no need to keep holding on to the unpleasant things from the past. Just let it go. Your kids are doing so well–why dwell on old grudges? Don’t you agree?”
Before I could respond, Matilda jumped in for me. “Sorry, but let’s not forget–you kicked Mom out and even signed a document cutting all ties with her. None of us are your grandchildren, so stop trying to act like we’re family. Also, I found serious. quality issues in B–Tech Power
Dynamics‘ s products. I’ve already sent samples and a report to the authorities. You’d better be ready for an investigation.”
“What?! You‘ ve already ruined me, and now you want to destroy the B–Tech Power
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Dynamics too?”
Duncan tapped his knife and fork against his wine glass, quieting the hall. Then, my three kids stood up, raising their glasses to wish me a happy birthday.
Their heartwarming wishes made me smile so much that my face turned red.
Meanwhile, the Hannigans and the Barrymores just sat there, not knowing how to react.
Suddenly, Willow pulled me aside.
“Please, I’m begging you–ask Mr. Chadbourne to show mercy and spare me! Hannergy Technologies‘ s stock has hit rock bottom, and we’ve spent a fortune buying land at inflated prices and wooing. clients! If you just say one word, he’ll let us go!”
But I just yanked my arm away.
“Back then, when you accused me of feeding you peanuts and nearly killing you, when your dad was cheating on me with
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Leanne, and when I asked for half of our marital assets during the divorce–I only needed one thing from you. Just one word. Even if it wouldn’t have changed anything, I just needed you to stand by me. But did you say it?”
He lowered his head slightly. And then, he changed the subject. “It’s been so many years! Can’t you just let it go? Mom, I’m in desperate need right now! I’m begging you! Help me! If Hannergy Technologies goes bankrupt again, Winnie’s in–laws will look down on her! We‘ re both your children, too!
“Then let’s wait a few years, and I’ll ask you if you can just let it go. Let’s see if you’ll be as quick to ask me to forget by then.”
Duncan didn’t stop with the stock drop. He used a shell company to buy up Hannergy Technologies‘ s shares, then dumped them all at their peak. On top of that, he announced publicly that Hannergy
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Technologies‘ s so–called partnership with his company was fake and used only to hype up its stock prices, and he never planned to work with them. The
stockholders who had once been optimistic about the company panicked, selling their shares, and the stock kept crashing.
But he didn’t stop there. He sent someone to bribe Leanne, offering her money to steal Hannergy Technologies‘ s internal trade secrets and assets. Scared of Hannergy Technologies going under and drowning in debt herself, Leanne stole. confidential files and signed contracts to sell off the company’s assets.
When Willow found out, he exploded and took Leanne to court. She ended up being sentenced to over 10 years in jail.
Hannergy Technologies faced a massive debt crisis–owing approximately 1.32 million dollars externally and over 736.5 million dollars to 559 suppliers. With almost no assets left, they declared
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bankruptcy and started liquidation.
Harlan lost his luxury properties overnight -cars, jewelry, and personal assets–and was left drowning in debt again.
B–Tech Power Dynamics wasn’t spared either. Their product quality issues led to heavy fines and destroyed their reputation. It wasn’t long before they filed for bankruptcy too.
As for Willow, he was buried under at lifetime of debt. Every day, he hid from creditors, wearing a mask and resorted to selling things at a street stall.
After Hannergy Technologies went under, Whitney’s husband divorced her on the spot, refused to take their daughter, and kicked her out of the villa. With nowhere else to go, she turned to our father for help.
But my father and Jocelyn were barely getting by themselves–old, penniless, and helpless. I sent them a small monthly allowance just enough to survive.
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Meanwhile, my three kids had all started their own families. Often, they’d bring
their children over to visit me.
“Grandma!”
“Grandma!”
“Grandma!”
Their sweet voices called out to me as they
gathered around me.
Surrounded by my grandchildren and cherished by my children, I spent my later years in happiness.
