CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE: A SCHEMING MOTHER

Lauretta’s POV

The morning sunlight filtered through the thick curtains, but the brightness only made me more irritated.

I sat at the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the folded divorce papers lying on the table. Raymond still hadn’t signed them. He was dragging things out, probably thinking I would give up and disappear again.

How pathetic and naive.

I clenched my jaw as I reached for the glass of water beside me, my hand trembling slightly. I hadn’t slept well all night because of too many thoughts and that godforsaken son of mine who refused to listen.

Kendrick, who is supposed to be my pawn, is the one ruining my plans with his stupidity.

My own flesh and blood, yet he was completely useless when it came to understanding what was best for this family.

He had grown too bold and too self-righteous. I thought he would be easier to manipulate with a few tears and a few stories about being lost and alone, I thought his cold heart would melt.

But no...He had to go digging and question everything.

Now, my plans were starting to crumble before my eyes.

All I wanted was simple, to get what rightfully belonged to me, take the money, and save my son.

My precious son, who needed me. The one who will never turn his back on me.

But nothing was ever simple with the Blacks.

The moment I came back, everyone started acting like saints, Raymond pretending he suddenly had morals, Kendrick acting like a victim, and Sameen... that woman acting like she owned the Black family.

I stood up sharply, my silk robe brushing against my legs as I walked around the room angrily.

No... I wasn’t going to sit here and let them ruin my plans.

If Kendrick wouldn’t help me willingly, I would find another way. And the first step was to get Raymond out of the way completely.

I threw on a navy-blue dress and wrapped my hair into a tight bun. My reflection in the mirror was sharp, a reminder that I was not the fragile woman they thought I was. I had survived worse situations than this.

Straightening my shoulders, I stepped out of my room and headed downstairs.

The mansion was quiet, except for the soft hum of the television in the sitting room.

Sameen was sitting elegantly with her legs crossed, pretending to read a magazine and Raina, her spoiled daughter, was scrolling through her phone.

The moment I entered, Sameen’s eyes flicked up, and her lips tightened as she frowned.

"What do you want, Lauretta?" She asked like she owns the place.

"Good morning to you too," I replied coolly, walking in, to show her who the true owner was.

"I see the parasites are up early." I added with a smile.

"Oh, great. The ghost of bad decisions past." Raina said as she rolled her eyes.

I smiled lightly before turning to her.

"Still running your mouth, I see. You should be careful, dear. Someday that tongue might get you in trouble." I warned while still maintaining my smile.

Sameen lowered her magazine and gave me a fake, calm smile.

"We don’t have time for your drama today. So whatever you’re planning, take it elsewhere." she said with an irritated tone.

"Oh, I’m not planning anything," I said sweetly.

"Just wondering how you feel about your husband getting another woman pregnant." I asked her with a chuckle.

That got her as she froze and Raina’s face immediately darkened as she glared at me.

"How is that any of your business?" Sameen asked angrily.

I tilted my head innocently.

"I’m just asking how it feels, being replaced by a woman half your age." I repeated with a mocking voice.

Raina’s eyes darkened as she yelled. "How does it concern you?"

"I am still his legal wife, so it does concern me, unlike your mother, that has no say as she is also a mistress" I said with a shrug.

Sameen’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing.

Her silence irritated me more than her words ever could.

"Nothing to say?" I pressed. "Or are you used to men leaving you for younger women?"

That made Raina shoot up from the couch. "You’re disgusting," she snapped. "You waltz back in here after disappearing for decades, and you think you can insult my mother?"

I turned my gaze on her as my smile deepened. "Careful, little girl. You weren’t even born when I built this family from the ground up. Everything you are flaunting, from your clothes, your education and this mansion, all of it exists because of me."

"That’s a lie!" Raina barked. "You didn’t build anything. You abandoned everyone! You left Kendrick and your father"

I stepped closer, cutting her off. "Don’t you dare lecture me about family, little girl. You have no idea what it takes to survive in this world."

Sameen stood slowly. "Enough! You have said your piece, now leave."

"Oh, I’m not done," I said coldly. "In fact, I have been dying to tell you the truth. Since you both love pretending to be innocent."

I folded my arms in disgust as I stared at them "Did you ever tell your precious daughter that when I was pregnant with Kendrick, you were sleeping with my husband?"

The room went dead silent.

Sameen’s face went pale and Raina frowned.

"You are lying," Sameen hissed.

"Oh, don’t look so shocked," I sneered.

"You were just a poor, desperate little waitress back then. Serving drinks in that filthy bar downtown. You knew exactly who Raymond was, and you saw an opportunity to escape your miserable life. You seduced him while I was carrying his child." I said while staring at her in disgust.

"That’s not true!" Sameen shouted while trembling with rage.

"It is," I said smugly.

"You couldn’t stand the thought of going back to poverty, so you clung to him like a leech. And when you thought I was dead, you convinced him to marry you. Tell me, did you cry at the wedding? Or were you too busy counting your new fortune?" I asked her mockingly.

Sameen’s hand trembled at her side.

"You took everything that belonged to me," I continued viciously.

"You gave your children everything that was meant for Kendrick. You spoiled them while my son was left with nothing." I said furiously.

"Enough!" she snapped, tears brimming in her eyes.

"You abandoned him! You left your son alone for years, we’re you expecting me to ignore my own children and... ?" she asked me angrily.

"And you took advantage of that!" I cut her off sharply.

"Don’t act like some selfless saint. You have always been power-hungry, Sameen." I added angrily.

Her face twisted with fury. "You are vile."

"And you’re weak."

Then her hand suddenly came flying across my face, the sharp sting echoing through the air.

I froze, as I was shocked at the audacity. Then I smiled slowly.

Then I returned the slap and I made sure to use enough force.The sound echoed through the room.

Raina rushed between us, shouting, "Enough! Both of you!"

I stepped back while smoothing my dress, pretending to be unbothered even though my heart was pounding.

I leaned forward and whispered, "Enjoy the mansion while you can. Because in one week, you will all be out on the streets where you belong."

Sameen glared at me while clutching her cheek, but said nothing.

I turned sharply and walked out before I could do something worse.

My heels echoed down the marble hallway as my pulse raced. My hands were shaking, not from fear, but from anger.

I needed power and also needed to take control of the family business.

If anyone could shift things in my favor, it was him. The old man still loves me immensely.

I headed straight for his study and barely knocked before walking in.

He looked up from behind his desk, startled. "Lauretta? You are here early."

"I need to talk to you," I said firmly while shutting the door.

He frowned, removing his glasses. "What’s going on?"

I took a deep breath to steady my voice. "It’s about Kendrick."

"What about him?" he asked cautiously.

"I think it’s time we remove him as CEO of the family company," I said flatly.

He froze. "What?"

"He is reckless, emotional, and far too involved with that Lancaster girl," I pressed on.

"He is not fit to lead the Blacks and might end up ruining everything you built." I added with a serious tone.

My father’s eyes narrowed. "You want to remove your own son?"

"Yes, before he destroys us."I said without hesitation.

He leaned back slowly, disbelief clearly written all over his face. "And who do you suggest replaces him? You?"

"I could manage it until a proper successor is chosen," I said calmly, though my pulse was racing with anticipation.

He studied me in silence for a long, tense moment before sighing deeply.

"Lauretta," he said quietly.

"I have been patient with you since you came back. I thought time would change you but I see it hasn’t." he said with a disappointed expression.

I blinked, as I was caught off guard by his words. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"It means, you are still the same stubborn and selfish woman who almost tore this family apart years ago." he said, as he slowly got up from his chair.

"Father.. "

"Don’t interrupt me," he snapped.

"Everything that happened, the feud, the bitterness and Kendrick’s suffering, all of it started with you." he said while glaring at me.

My chest tightened. "That’s not fair... "

"It’s the truth!" he barked.

"You lied, manipulated, and ran away when things didn’t go your way and now you are back, trying to destroy your own son? Shame on you, Lauretta!" he yelled at me.

His words hit me like a slap and I flinched, as my throat tightened.

He stepped closer, his voice shaking with fury. "Do you know what I have been thinking since I last saw Kendrick? That maybe, just maybe, we should stop punishing him for the past. That boy has suffered enough. He deserves peace and if that peace comes from being with Christy Lancaster, so be it!." he said with a commanding tone.

My stomach dropped as I looked at him in shock. "You can’t be serious."

"I am, you will not interfere with them again. Do you understand?" he said coldly.

I clenched my fists, struggling to keep my voice steady. "Father, you don’t understand what’s at stake.. "

"I understand perfectly, what’s at stake is your pride. And it’s killing this family." he interrupted sharply.

I felt the rage bubbling up inside me again.

"You are choosing them over me?" I asked him angrily.

"I’m choosing what’s right! For once in your life, look beyond yourself." he thundered.

I stared at him, my nails digging into my palms until I could feel the sting as my entire body trembled with fury and humiliation.

He turned away, dismissing me like a child. "You can leave now, I have heard enough."

I straightened, forcing my voice to stay calm even as my heart shattered inside. "Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you when everything falls apart." I said quietly.

Without another word, I turned and stormed out of the study, my heels slamming against the marble floor.

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

I have to find a way to save my precious son, why should I care about Kendrick, a child that I conceived by mistake.

He has no choice but to give everything to his brother.