Rising From Betrayal Reborn As The Family Outcast novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

After Alicia finished speaking. Ian couldn’t hold back his laughter.

This girl’s got a seriously sharp tongue, but honestly, I love that about her. Ian thought.

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He turned to Leo and said. “Mr. Hammond, it’s been a while. Honestly, I never thought you’d turn out like this—I’m honestly at a loss for words.

Leo’s face grew even darker after Ian’s comment.

He noticed that people at a few nearby tables were glancing over at them.

He’d never felt this embarrassed in public before.

He’d just been so angry that he couldn’t help raising his voice.

Back in the day, he would’ve just stormed off in anger.

But now, after finally getting a chance to see his daughter-and finding her tangled up with the guy he despised most-there was no way he could just leave.

He couldn’t let Ian have anything to do with his daughter.

Leo pulled out a chair and sat down, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes as he looked at lan. That’s none of your

concern.

Then he asked, “What do you want with my daughter?”

Leo was sure it was Ian who’d made the first move to contact his daughter.

Ian looked genuinely puzzled. “Daughter? Who’s your daughter?”

Then he deliberately turned to Alicia. “Are you his daughter?”

Alicia shrugged. “Nope.”

“Maybe he’s just getting old and forgetful, or his eyesight’s shot-sees someone and just decides they’re his daughter,” Alicia said, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Leo was left speechless.

“Who’s old and forgetful? That was a low blow, Leo thought, feeling the sting.

His face grew even darker. “Alicia, do you have to be this harsh? Is this really how you talk to your own dad?”

He never thought he’d see the day when his own daughter would team up with the guy he hated most, tag-teaming to roast him right to his face.

Alicia didn’t even bother looking at him. Instead, she turned to Kevin, who was standing behind his father

With a perfectly sincere expression, she said, “Mr. Hammond, your dad might be coming down with dementia. You should probably get him checked out at the hospital.

“I’ve already told him I’m not his daughter, and I’m not even a Hammond. If he keeps mixing things up like this, it must be

pretty serious.”

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Chapter 81

Kevin was left speechless.

Is my sister out of her mind? How could she say something like that?

And seriously, how am I supposed to respond to that?’ he wondered, feeling totally at a loss.

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Leo was so furious he nearly toppled over, slamming his hand on the table. “Alicia, are you really trying to send me to an early grave?”

‘Dementia? Really now? Who says stuff like that about their own dad?’ Leo fumed, feeling personally attacked.

Alicia blinked innocently. “Me? I didn’t do anything!

“I was just being nice, asking your son to take you to the hospital. Why are you so ungrateful?”

Then, without missing a beat, she added, “It’s not like I’m your stepdaughter, always acting like someone died at home.

“Honestly, the fact that you’re still alive is a miracle.”

Leo was so furious he was shaking. “You… you!”

Ian piped up, “Look at him shaking like that-man, that’s gotta be serious.”

He shot a look at Kevin. “Mr. Hammond, your dad’s falling apart right in front of you and you’re just standing there? Wow, some son you are. Shouldn’t you be rushing him to the ER or something?”

lan was seriously disappointed in the three Hammond brothers-he was honestly starting to get sick of them.

None of them took after Alicia’s mom; instead, they were all just the spitting image of that pain-in-the-neck Leo.

If Alicia’s mom ever found out how those brothers were always playing favorites with their stepsister and treating their real sister like dirt, she’d never forgive them.

Anyway, lan was never going to secretly help them out again. They could fend for themselves from now on.

Kevin was left speechless.

‘Seriously, what did I ever do to deserve this?’ Kevin thought, feeling totally wronged.

He turned to Alicia. “Ally, don’t get Dad all worked up. He just wants to talk to you.”-

Alicia shot him a frosty glare. “That’s your dad, not mine. What, are you coming down with dementia too?

“I’ve got even less to say to you guys,” she said flatly.

Leo was clutching his chest, clearly in pain from anger.

He looked at Alicia, like he could barely breathe. “Ally, I don’t feel well.”

Back then, if he ever felt sick, Alicia would drop everything to help-acupuncture, whatever it took

But he really didn’t want to keep making a scene in front of lan.

Honestly, he was actually feeling sick from all the stress and anger.

He hoped Alicia would help him out of there, find somewhere private to get checked out and maybe cool off a bit.

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Chapter S1

And hopefully, while they’re at it, he could have a proper talk with her.

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But Alicia just rolled her eyes. “See? I told your son to take you to the hospital. but you just had to get all worked up about it.

“People really need to admit when they’re getting up there in years. If you’re not feeling well, just go see a doctor already.

She knew Leo absolutely couldn’t stand being called old.

Especially with his old rival-who was nine years younger-standing right there, watching the whole show.

She kept going, twisting the knife. “Look at you and Ian-you’re supposed to be the same age, but sitting here together, it’s like you’re from two totally different generations.

“He’s still looking sharp and handsome, but you? Your face is all wrinkled and worn out.”

Honestly, Leo might be in his fifties, but he could easily pass for someone in his forties.

But lan looks like he’s barely thirty-definitely younger and way more attractive than Leo.

But Alicia was just saying all that to get under his skin.

She even added. “You know, you shouldn’t just see a doctor-maybe it’s time to invest in some self-care or skincare too.

“Seriously, is your wife taking care of you, or is she making you age faster every year?

“Or maybe it’s your stepdaughter-does her constant moping actually suck the life out of you or something?”

She glanced at Kevin, her face lighting up with fake realization. “Wow, no wonder you look older than the rest of your age group. Kevin.”

Then she patted her own cheek, looking genuinely relieved. “Good thing I cut ties with you guys. Otherwise, I wouldn’t still be looking this fabulous.”

Leo and Kevin were both speechless.

‘How can her mouth be so sharp? they couldn’t help but think, totally stunned.

Ian backed her up, grinning. “For real, you and Kevin look like you belong to totally different eras.

“Honestly, if I’m still this handsome, it’s all thanks to you, Ally. Your treatments are basically my cheat code.”

He was totally doing it on purpose.

Leo had just tried to play the sympathy card, hoping Alicia would soften up.

So lan made a point of showing off that his good health was all thanks to Alicia.

That kind of comparison just rubbed salt in the wound.

Just as expected.

Leo froze for a second, then shot Alicia a look. “You cured him? Seriously?”

Leo absolutely hated lan, but he still kept tabs on him from time to time.

He knew lan had been seriously hurt in that accident-rumor had it the guy was already halfway to the grave.

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7:19 pm

Chapter 81

PWM

About a year ago, Leo ran into lan while working on a project in Meridia.

Ian didn’t look that old, but he just seemed washed out and run-down, like life had really taken a toll on him.

Now, he was a totally different person.

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He looked way younger than he did a year ago-not just healthier, but full of life, radiating a whole new energy. It was like he’d been completely reborn.

‘So that’s why lan felt so different earlier,’ Leo realized, finally connecting the dots.

And Alicia was totally out of line, actually comparing his age and looks to Ian’s.

Ian was nine years younger than him-how’s that even fair?

Leo hated talking about his age more than anything. Who wants to admit they’re getting old?

But the more he tried to avoid the topic, the more Alicia kept bringing it up, just to rub it in.

Alicia nodded. “Of course I did-Ian’s my elder. Helping him out is just the right thing to do, isn’t it?”

Leo’s face grew even darker. “Since when is he your elder, anyway?”

He couldn’t hold back and blurted out, “Are you just trying to go against me on purpose? Is that why you’re helping him out and getting close to him?”

Alicia shot him a look of genuine surprise. “Wow, do you really think the world revolves around you?

“I choose who I hang out with based on their character-and honestly, you don’t even qualify.”

She gave him a deliberately unimpressed look. “You’re just being ridiculous right now.

Just because you can’t stand someone, doesn’t mean I have to avoid them too.

‘Besides, Ian’s a great guy-smart, super capable, and he’s built a huge company. Plus, he’s an old friend of my mom’s.

‘His business is massive and seriously powerful. If Hammond Group teamed up with him, it’d totally take us to the next level.

‘Why do you always have to butt heads with lan? Can’t you just get along for once?

‘Why do you always have to be so selfish?

“If Grandpa found out you were putting your own selfish desires above the company, he’d be so mad he’d come back to life just to yell at you,” she added, her tone full of mockery.

Leo stared at her in disbelief, his breathing getting even more ragged. “You… you want me to get along with him?”

‘She knows exactly what’s between me and lan, and she still says stuff like that? Is she trying to make me drop dead from anger?’ Leo fumed, feeling like his blood pressure was about to explode.

Alicia looked at him like it was the most obvious thing ever. “Yeah, isn’t this what you always preached to me?

“Weren’t you always telling me I had to get along with Nicole and her mom, otherwise I’d be called selfish and blamed for breaking up the family?

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Chapter 81

PWM

“You really set the standard-even after cutting ties, I still take your lessons to heart.”

She looked at him, feigning confusion. “So what’s wrong with that?”

She’d just boomeranged his own logic right back at him-let’s see if he could say anything now.

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