Unloved Unwanted Unstoppable (Seraphina and Dominic) novel Chapter 32

Seraphina pressed her lips together.

"Grandma, this matter—"

"I know," the matriarch interrupted, patting the back of her hand. "I know exactly what happened."

The older woman took a deep breath and sat up straighter.

"Mrs. Lawrence," she called out.

The head housekeeper hurried in from the hall.

"Give Lana her final paycheck and ensure she leaves the property today."

Still collapsed on the floor, Lana began to sob uncontrollably. "Ma'am, I swear it was an accident, please don't fire me—"

The matriarch waved a dismissive hand.

Mrs. Lawrence hauled Lana to her feet, practically dragging her out the door.

Lana's wails faded down the corridor.

The matriarch turned her piercing stare back to Winifred.

"Winifred."

Winifred's face paled as she forced a strained smile. "Mom, you should rest. Don't exert yourself—"

"Starting tomorrow," the matriarch said, her voice quiet but ringing with undeniable authority, "every title and role you hold at Lockwood's is officially revoked."

Winifred's smile froze.

"Mom! I've worked at the company for over a decade! Even if I'm not the best, I've poured my blood and sweat into—"

"We both know exactly what you've poured into it. Do you want me to list it out right here?"

The matriarch shot her a look entirely devoid of emotion, yet it was enough to choke the words right out of Winifred's throat.

"Yvette."

Yvette jumped. "Grandma..."

"From this moment until exactly a year from today, your entire allowance is suspended."

Yvette's jaw dropped. She opened her mouth to argue, but the sheer ice in the older woman's expression made her snap it shut.

"And another thing."

The matriarch glared at Yvette, her tone growing even more severe.

"Apologize to Seraphina."

Yvette froze.

"Right now. Do it," the matriarch commanded, leaving no room for negotiation.

If not for Seraphina, she would have died years ago.

During her sudden heart attack, when the entire staff had panicked and run around like headless chickens, Seraphina had immediately recognized the symptoms. She had performed flawless CPR while simultaneously directing someone to call the paramedics, dragging the old woman back from the brink of death.

And now, she had saved her yet again.

All these years, Seraphina had done nothing but care for her with total devotion.

Yet this wonderful girl had been ground down into dust by the Lockwood family.

The thought made the matriarch sick to her stomach. She waved a tired hand. "That's enough. I'm exhausted. All of you, get out."

The hospital room plunged into immediate silence.

Winifred opened her mouth, desperate for the last word.

But one icy look from her mother-in-law had her retreating.

Yvette stomped her foot in pure spite, while Dominic's brow furrowed. He shot Seraphina a complicated look, but ultimately said nothing.

One by one, they filed out of the room, each lost in their own turbulent thoughts.

Soon, it was just the matriarch and Seraphina left in the quiet suite.

The older woman weakly beckoned her closer. "Come here, Seraphina."