The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 552

Caught in a bind, Margaret felt a flush of irritation. She couldn't accept the help, but she didn't know how to refuse it either.

Karina was a classic bully who folded under pressure. She had no problem screaming at her cousins at home, but faced with Renie's commanding presence, she didn't dare utter a single word.

At that moment, Winona's voice cut through the tension, steady and firm. "Renie, Stefan doesn't need outsiders taking care of him. I'll do it."

Renie chuckled lightly. "The people I hired aren't outsiders. You're quite the comedian, Ms. Jowett."

Unfazed, Winona held her gaze. "Stefan and I are deeply intimately involved. Everyone else is an outsider."

Renie raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? Does that mean Margaret is an outsider, too?"

Ignoring Margaret's instantly sour expression, Winona stated plainly, "Stefan has told me before that he isn't close with his relatives. That includes his mother. So yes, naturally, you are all outsiders to him. Now, I'm going to have to ask you all to leave. He needs his rest."

Her words were a total slap in the face. Even Margaret let out a bitter, incredulous laugh.

"Every family has its little disagreements," Renie said, her smile tightening. "I can't believe Stefan would say something so childish to you. I was only trying to help, but if you're going to be ungrateful, fine."

She turned to her sister-in-law. "Margaret, Cheryl and I will be leaving now."

Watching Winona effortlessly dismiss Renie, Margaret felt a reluctant sliver of respect, even though she was still furious at the girl's insolence. Renie was a shark. Hardly anyone in their social circle dared to cross her, and even Margaret often found herself outmaneuvered. Winona actually had a spine.

Still, that didn't mean she accepted her.

As soon as the others were gone, Karina finally found her voice. "Are you out of your mind?" she snapped at Winona. "Who gave you the right to dictate Goddard family business?"

Winona shot her a look of pure disdain.

There was no way Karina was oblivious to Renie's scheming. Stefan was Karina's own cousin, yet she didn't have the guts to speak up for him. What a coward.

"That Winona girl seems pretty sharp, and she's got nerve," Cheryl noted. "Do you think Stefan's actually serious about her? What if they actually get married?"

"Wouldn't that be wonderful?" Renie smirked. "A girl with zero family backing? Who in the Goddard family would ever respect her? Margaret thinks she's a genius, but your second uncle Kade and I have easily tricked her into sinking millions into dead-end investments, and she still hasn't caught on. Handling Winona would be a walk in the park."

"Mom, do you think Dad can actually secure the GM spot at Cirrus Beverages?"

"Why wouldn't he?" Renie scoffed. "Kade isn't even real Goddard blood. He was adopted. Does he really think he deserves Goddard resources? And the Shepherds are nothing but leeches, shameless parasites sucking our family dry. Margaret's an idiot for letting them lead her around by the nose.

"Your grandmother is heavily biased too, tossing every advantage to the eldest branch. Does she think our branch doesn't need to eat? If your dad messes this up, I'll skin him alive."

Cheryl nodded. "I'm sure Dad will pull it off."

An annual profit of eight hundred million was a massive prize. Their branch of the family had to win that seat.