The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 889

It felt like at this point, whatever Marie said, Holt would agree without hesitation… and Marie clearly wasn’t planning to make any easy requests.

Sure enough, under Gary and Mona’s wary gazes, she gently stroked her stomach and said, “There’s someone in here who can’t be wronged; and I, myself, am not someone who takes kindly to being wronged either.”

Mona’s brow started to twitch. What does she mean by that? What does she mean by wronged? And to avoid being wronged, what exactly is she planning to do?

Gary and Mona both stiffened.

Even Holt’s temple started to throb. “So?” he asked cautiously.

“So starting today, I’ll be taking charge of all the family affairs—big and small.”

Holt, Gary, and Mona fell silent. Personally taking charge?

Derrick glanced at Marie, thinking, What’s there to manage in this run-down Tom family? What’s she planning to take charge of, exactly?

Holt frowned. “Marie, what exactly do you mean? I don’t quite follow.”

“I mean I’ll be head of the house.”

Everyone went quiet. Head of the house. It was a phrase they hadn’t heard in years.

And now, Marie had picked it up again.

Holt asked, “And how would that work?”

“By managing the money,” Marie replied matter-of-factly. “I’ll handle the accounts; every expense, big or small, goes through me. Times are tough across every industry right now. The Tom family might be large and established, but even we need to start tightening our belts. We can’t keep spending money like before.”

Her tone was serious and composed—but somehow, it just didn’t sound right.

Gary’s face darkened immediately. “So after all that talk, you just want to take more money from the family again? Wasn’t what you got last time enough? You’re back for more!”

He snapped irritably. Gary had never liked Derrick; the man hardly ever came home. The whole Tom residence should’ve been his.

But because he’d married that sharp-tongued woman Marie, they’d already taken a huge chunk from the family last time. He still hadn’t gotten over it. And now she is back again… wanting to run the Tom family and control all the money?

“You two have some nerve,” Gary shouted. “Married and still mooching off the family? Have you no shame?”

Marie turned to Gary, a small smirk playing at her lips. “If I’m not mistaken, you’re a few years older than Derrick, aren’t you? And you still haven’t married at your age? Shouldn’t you be the one feeling ashamed?”

“Don’t even think about it!” Gary barked. Damn woman… what the heck does she mean by this? If she really became head of the family, getting money out of her would be like pulling teeth.

“I’m the one who currently manages the family expenses,” Mona said coldly. “It’s not appropriate for you to suddenly take over, is it? Your father and I are still alive, you know.”

After all, she was an elder. How could a younger generation take over? The Dawson family’s upbringing really leaves much to be desired.

Her words were directed at Marie—but also served as a reminder to Holt. Handing over control of the family to Marie would be a clear sign of disrespect toward her.

But Marie ignored both her and Gary. Despite their protests, she looked straight at Holt and said firmly, “Dad, I’ll be blunt. Since I’ve brought this up, I’m going to be the head of this family—whether you agree or not.”

Gary and Mona both went silent.

Holt’s face darkened instantly. The air in the living room grew tense.

Marie rested a hand on her still-flat belly. Gary watched her with rising irritation. Her belly isn’t even showing yet—who’s she touching it for? Trying to remind everyone she’s pregnant? So what if she is? Big deal…

Mona’s expression turned grim. She turned to Holt. “Say something!”

Marie spoke before he could. “If you don’t let me manage the family, then Derrick and I will move back to the Dawson residence.”