The Wrong Girl and the Wronged Girl (Stella and Ethan) novel Chapter 891

If Derrick were to marry now and she lost control over the family finances, people would start whispering. The wealthy women in their circle would mock her mercilessly.

“I want security. I need assurance,” Marie said firmly.

Mona snapped, “You—”

“Dad, you say something!” Marie cut her off.

In an instant, Holt became the man caught in the middle. Both sides were clinging to him for face—everyone cared about saving face... except him, apparently. The thought made Holt furious.

Marie’s stance was especially firm. When she saw Holt hesitate, she said coldly, “Derrick, let’s go. Your father’s not your father anymore; the Tom family isn’t your family either.”

“Once we walk out that door, that’s exactly what we’ll announce.”

Holt went silent, his face growing darker.

“Wait!”

Just as Marie pulled Derrick up to leave, Holt gritted his teeth.

“Hold on!” Mona said sharply, panic flashing across her face.

Damn it, he’s not actually going to let Marie and Derrick move back in, is he? And let her run the family?

If that happened, everyone on her side would have to live under Marie’s thumb. The thought made Mona furious as she glared at Holt.

Holt’s headache was pounding. There was absolutely no way he’d allow Derrick to marry into the Dawson family.

Rubbing his temples, he said to Mona with a weary sigh, “Give her what she asked for.”

Mona fell silent.

Marie crossed her arms and glanced at Derrick before turning to Holt. “Thank you, Daddy.”

Derrick stayed quiet. Oh, come on... this is getting out of hand. It had already been awkward enough when she called him “Dad” earlier; now she was saying “Daddy”? That hit differently.

Mona and Gary nearly fainted from anger at Marie’s shamelessness.

Gary scoffed, “He sure came at a high price.”

It made his stomach hurt just thinking about it. And wasn’t he right?

A few sweet “Dads,” and she’d basically pocketed everything the Tom family owned.

Marie rolled her eyes. “If you’re that jealous, you can always try calling him ‘Dad’ a few more times yourself. Though after all these years, I doubt he would ever sound worth a dime.”

Gary went quiet. Damn it!

This woman must’ve been raised on razor blades—every word out of her mouth cut straight to the heart.

Mona had been planning to stall, to coax Holt later in bed and change his mind. There was no way she’d hand over the family authority to Marie. But she hadn’t expected this girl to push so hard, so fast.

“There’s no rush,” Mona said, forcing calm. “I’ll tidy things up and hand them to her tomorrow.”

Seeing that Holt wasn’t defending her at all, Mona grew even angrier. It was her final attempt to resist.

But Marie wasn’t about to let even that slide.

“In that case, Derrick and I will just head back to the Dawson residence. I’ll have my mother announce tonight that Derrick is officially marrying into our family. If the Tom family loses face, that’s not our problem. Besides—”

“Enough! Give it to her!” Holt roared before she could finish.

The moment Marie mentioned Derrick marrying into the Dawsons, Holt’s fury exploded.

The Dawsons—none of them were easy to deal with. Especially this daughter born to Lorette.

He glared at Mona, who sat there speechless. “Our fallout with the Dawson family? That’s on you.”

“I…” Mona faltered.

“You still haven’t cleared up Kelly’s mess with Lorette, and now you’re hesitating again? Marie is Lorette’s daughter—you already owe the Dawsons plenty! Now do as she says!”

When Abraham was still alive, both families had gotten along well. But the moment Abraham passed away, Kelly stirred up trouble that completely destroyed that relationship.