Substitute Wife, Genius CEO novel Chapter 121

Family?

It wouldn't be Xavier, and it certainly wouldn't be the Sterling family.

That only left one option—her wretched relatives.

Summer's expression turned glacial. "Alright, I'll be right there."

Without a second thought, she ripped the IV needle from the back of her hand. A bead of blood welled up, but she carelessly wiped it away and bolted for the door.

A nurse called out after her, but her mind was entirely consumed with her parents' safety. She didn't have time to stop.

Panting, she reached the corridor outside their hospital room. A vicious voice echoed from within, loud enough to practically blow the door off its hinges.

"Does Summer even know her place? She's just an orphan! Marrying Xavier was the greatest honor she could ever achieve. But no, she has to act all spoiled and entitled, playing the role of a wealthy heiress when she doesn't have the pedigree for it. Who does she think she is? Asking for a divorce? Is she even in a position to demand that? I don't care what you two have to say. You will call that wretched girl right now and tell her to get her act together!"

The voice belonged to Beulah Vance, Summer's adoptive grandmother, who had despised her from day one.

Beulah hated the fact that Summer was adopted, hated that she was a girl, and hated that she was too beautiful, claiming she had the face of a seductress.

Summer had lost count of the times she'd overheard the old woman telling her father, "What's the point of adopting a girl? You'll just raise her for another family. It's a complete waste of money."

Edward would always smile and reply, "Mother, it's not a waste. We'll just find a good man to marry into our family for Summer."

Unable to sway Edward, Beulah took her frustration out on Summer, wearing her disdain like a badge of honor and displaying blatant favoritism.

When her cousins received holiday cash, she got nothing.

When they got candy, she got nothing.

When they got the best cuts of meat at dinner, she got nothing.

When they paraded around in new clothes, she was still left empty-handed.

She got nothing from Beulah, but she had her parents.

Her mom and dad would come home and buy her the exact same candy, but in larger handfuls.

They would buy her the exact same dresses, along with pretty little leather shoes and hair clips.

They would cook a massive batch of chicken just for her, ensuring she never had to fight for a piece.

They would hand her the thickest envelope of cash during the holidays.

Beulah slammed her cane against the floor, practically foaming at the mouth. "How did I give birth to such a useless, pathetic coward? That car crash must have knocked the sense right out of your thick skull! Do you know who Xavier is? Do I really need to spell it out for you? Summer gets to eat the finest foods, live in a massive mansion, have servants at her beck and call, and drive luxury cars. She's set for life as a billionaire's wife! If they divorce, where on earth is she going to find another man like that? You should be holding onto a son-in-law like him for dear life, not enabling that wretched girl's tantrums. Are both of your brains filled with mush?"

"Bang!"

Summer pushed the door open and stepped inside, her icy gaze sweeping over the crowded hospital room.

Beulah was there, alongside Edward's older brother and his wife, his younger sister and her husband, and a flock of nieces and nephews.

"Summer, why are you here?" Maeve asked, her brow furrowing with concern.

Knowing how much Beulah despised her daughter, Maeve hadn't even considered calling her.

Beulah put on a theatrical display, lifting her rosewood cane and tapping it sharply against the floor. "You finally decided to show up, you ungrateful brat? Get over here."

That very cane had been a gift from Summer. It was crafted from premium wood with a delicate natural scent, smoothed to perfection over years of use, and adorned with a priceless jade pendant.

The old woman loved showing it off back in her village, bragging about it endlessly.

Yet here she was, using it to assert her dominance. If it weren't for Edward, Summer wouldn't have even bothered to acknowledge her existence.

Suppressing her bubbling rage, Summer kept her tone eerily calm. "I heard everything from the hallway. My business has nothing to do with you, and I don't need you worrying about it. My parents just got out of surgery and need to rest. You've seen them, now it's time for you to leave."