Dark Queen Of Apocalypse (by Morgan Hale) novel Chapter 6

Only the souped–up Hummer remained. Chloe had spent a fortune on a bulletproof shell and reinforced glass. This beast was practically indestructible.

Suddenly, her phone rang with an unknown number. “Hello?” she answered.

Sam’s furious voice erupted. “Chloe, what’s wrong with you? Why did you pick on Rosalie?”

Chloe paused, setting down the gas can she’d just bought as she let out a cold laugh. “Sam, are you out of your mind? When have I ever bullied her?”

Sam roared, “Have you no respect? I’m your father!”

“My father’s been dead for years,” Chloe retorted, hanging up and powering off her phone.

“Hello?” Sam shouted into dead air. He yanked at his tie, his face twisting with rage.

Kiera jabbed a finger at his nose, her voice vicious. “Look what you’ve brought into this world. So defiant! If I’d known she’d turn out like this, I should’ve smashed her at birth.”

Rosalie snuggled into Kiera’s arms, putting on her sweetest act. “Grandma, don’t yell at Dad. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have argued with Chloe.”

Kiera poked Rosalie’s forehead with her index finger. “You’re no better. Why provoke that brat? If she bullied you, you deserved it.”

Rosalie’s eyes darkened as she nestled closer, secretly pressing her lips together in disdain.

Vanessa came downstairs in silk pajamas. Though not young, her face remained smooth. She knew how to take care of herself.

Spotting Kiera, Vanessa put on a sweet smile. “You’re here, Kiera.”

Kiera rolled her eyes and jabbed a finger at Vanessa’s cleavage. “You slut, all you ever do is throw yourself at Sam. With everything going on, you still have the nerve to sleep?”

‘If Vanessa hadn’t given me a grandson, I’d give her a real lesson,‘ Kiera thought.

She turned to Sam urgently. “Lavinia left a huge inheritance to Chloe, and you’re doing nothing? We can’t let Chloe keep it. It should go to Niko.”

Sam nodded seriously, his brow furrowed, “We were so close to pulling it off. But suddenly, Chloe’s acting like a completely different person.”

Vanessa smiled, a glint of triumph in her eyes as she took Kiera’s hand and said, “Chloe’s a good kid. If you talk to her, she’ll listen. After all, you and Sam are the only family she has left.”

Sam’s frown eased, and he let out a cold laugh. “Yeah, I’m her guardian. Everything she owns should be in my hands.”

Just then, Sam’s phone rang. He answered, and instantly, his face darkened.

“What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked softly.

Sam gritted his teeth. “That little bastard is selling her company shares.

Kiera was furious. She whipped out her phone and tried to call Chloe. But it wouldn’t go through. Chloe had blocked her.

“Let’s go find her. How dare she sell Niko’s shares?” Kiera snapped, storming out.

Vanessa followed, her eyes gleaming with greed.

*****

After spending the entire afternoon hunting around, Chloe tracked down several bakeshops, along with all sorts of snack bars, diners, and other eateries.

She put down deposits and set up fixed daily orders, planning to pick everything up herself. To make deliveries easier, she even bought a mini truck.

As she spoke, she casually set the fried chicken and burgers down on the table.

Niko immediately grabbed them and started eating.

“Chloe, even if you’re upset, he’s still your dad. You should’ve at least told him before you sold those stocks. We’re family, aren’t we?” Rosalie said softly.

She sat beside Chloe and reached for her hand. Chloe pulled away instantly. Rosalie remained unfazed, smiling sweetly as if nothing had happened.

Chloe laughed coldly, completely ignoring Rosalie. She turned to Sam. “So you guys broke into my house just for this?”

She tucked her hair back, her voice icy. “I’m eighteen. I’m an adult and can handle my own business. Don’t worry about me.”

Seeing Sam’s face darken, Chloe suddenly switched tactics. “But if you really want those shares, Dad, I could sell them to you at a discount.”

Sam had always assumed those shares were his for the taking. So even when Chloe offered a discount, he still bitched about having to pay anything.

Right on cue, Chloe’s phone buzzed. A potential buyer was calling about the shares.

After she hung up, Sam’s face went pitch black.

Chloe looked at him with crystal–clear eyes, as if seeing right through him. “Dad, Lucas is offering 1.5 billion. What’s your offer?”

Niko looked up from his snacks. “No way! Grandma said the company, money, and house are all mine.”

He glared at Chloe like she was the villain trying to rob him blind. The second she lifted her hand, he scrambled to bury himself in Kiera’s arms, scared she might smack him.

Kiera’s heart ached like crazy. She clutched him tight, fussing and cooing like a mother hen.