Her Revenge Was His Regret (Shirley and Gilbert) novel Chapter 317

Rich men had side chicks and kids everywhere. But quality varied—some women's genes just weren't it.

"More kids doesn't mean better kids."

"And after everything that happened to their own generation—people dead, broken—why make the next one repeat it?"

It made no sense.

"The genes are guaranteed. The worst Harrison tradition? Choose wives with lots of sisters."

If the first wife died in childbirth, they'd marry the sister to keep bearing children.

"My mom was an only child." Lucas' father had refused to let that happen.

"And if the man died? His brother inherited his wife. Like—"

Lucas had barely said that when Max slunk in, head down.

Max was a born optimist. Seeing him look like this? Not normal.

"We're screwed. Irene's here."

Sherry had only met her once. But clearly, Irene knew exactly who she was and what she was doing now.

Maybe before, Irene thought she was just a maid. But thirty percent equity? No maid had that kind of power.

Still, Irene treated her like hired help. The message was clear—she didn't approve of Sherry.

Back then, Sherry and Lucas were just close. What was going on in his head? Did Lucas like her? She wasn't even sure if she liked him.

So what was Irene's problem? The equity, maybe. If that was it, she'd have come sooner. This was huge.

Either way, Sherry felt the hostility.

"I'll hide."

She started following Max out. Instinct said avoid the fight.

Too late. Irene swept in.

Irene was ten or twenty years younger than Victor, and she moved like a storm.

She pushed the door open and walked right in.

"You're dreaming." Lucas cut in sharply, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Sherry's mouth hung open. Even Max's jaw dropped—then he nodded, like he'd expected this.

Irene's expression soured. But not as much as Sherry expected. Lucas must've talked to her like this before.

But she was furious that Lucas said it for Sherry.

"You're talking to me like that—for an outsider?"

Maybe Lucas always talked like this and she was used to it. But for someone else? Unacceptable.

She turned on Sherry. "See this? You're tearing this family apart. You know you're toxic?"

Lucas had planned to say it all anyway, and his tone made his stance crystal clear.

And he'd said it himself: she shouldn't take crap from anyone. Not even him.

"Your family falls apart that easily? Maybe you should look at yourselves first."