My Wealthy Daughter-in-law

My naïve best friend was still worried about others, even at a time like this. She was afraid I would be sad about losing my son.

I smiled and said, "Since he has cut ties with me, why should I care about his well-being? It's got nothing to do with me or the Browning family.

"Besides, he's not my only heir."

She asked, "What about tomorrow's stock transfer meeting? Should we cancel it? Should we notify the media and shareholders that Hank has been expelled from the Browning family?"

I grinned, "No need, we'll proceed as planned."

Fearing she and her daughter might misunderstand, I took Esther's hand and said kindly, "Esther, today's events are because of us. I will never agree to let Hank come back and remarry you. If you don't mind his unfaithfulness, I do. If that girl made you lose face, then I'll make sure she loses face too."

Esther was moved to tears and cried in her mother's arms, saying I didn't need to be this way. She blamed herself for not keeping Hank's heart. She was just as naïve as her mother.

I leisurely returned to my study and made my first counterattack by calling my secretary.

I ordered, "Freeze all of Hank's assets, bank accounts, and company positions."

I chuckled to myself, thinking, "Aida Melton, you never imagined I'd be reborn in this life, did you? No matter how hard you try to ruin the Browning family, it's meaningless."

In my previous life, I only learned just before my death that I had a daughter still living.

After Hank was born, I got pregnant again within two years, but sadly that child died just days after birth.

I was depressed for years over the loss. But seeing Hank grow up day by day finally eased my sorrow.

So, I spoiled him, even though it meant offending my best friend and accepting his divorce from Esther and the break with the Travis family.

I made another call.

"Hello, Mom?"

Hearing my mother's gentle voice on the other end, I couldn't help but tear up. Since Aida appeared in my previous life, I hadn't seen my parents again, and it made me feel ashamed.

My mom, sensing something was wrong, asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

I replied, "Mom, I want to sever ties with Hank."

I casually dropped the bombshell, and my father yelled from the other end, "What? Do you want to cut off your relationship with Hank? Colleen, have you gone crazy? Hank is the only heir to the Browning family. Without him, the Browning family will be extinct."

I reasoned, "Dad, I'm not crazy. Over the years, Hank has become uncontrollable. It's time he learns a lesson. Besides, he wants to divorce Esther and marry some girl he picked up. The Travis and Browning families have been family friends for generations. How can we let his actions ruin that?"

My dad sighed deeply and said solemnly, "It's just a wild girl. Kids are meant to play. Having a woman isn't a big deal."

My mom's temper flared.

She snapped, "You only ever say nice things. He's thirty and still acts like a kid. He has married Esther, not some ordinary girl. How can the Travis family tolerate this?"

My dad's voice became weak.

He said tiredly, "Do it your way then. The Travis and Browning families are indeed friends for generations, and if we want the Browning family's century-long legacy to continue, strong alliances are essential."

I said, "Thank you for understanding, Mom and Dad."