From Baby Bump to Broken Back - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

"Now that your father-in-law, Mr. Chaiden, has stepped down, the obvious successor should be your brother-in-law, Theodore Siegfried. Once that happens, getting the Siegfried Family to dance to your tune will be child's play!"
I knew enemies were bound to cross paths eventually. Little did they know Theodore had zero interest in taking over the Siegfried empire.
If it weren't for Darrel's habit of working against his own interests, the Rodericks and Siegfrieds would've merged into an unstoppable business dynasty by now.
"Hello, everyone. Miss me?"
I pushed the door open and strolled in like I owned the place. Meanwhile, the Roderick couple looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"Giselle? But your legs—"
"Are you real, or are we hallucinating?"
"Since when did you become head of the Roderick Family? Shouldn't that be Theodore?"
Darrel, on the other hand, lit up like a Christmas tree. He rushed forward and wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Giselle, I knew you weren't dead!"
I stayed silent, but he kept rambling, lost in his own drama. "Why didn't you come back to me? Do you have any idea how long I've searched for you?"
The room fell dead silent except for Darrel's over-the-top reunion performance. His father cleared his throat and gave me that signature Roderick look of superiority.
"Now that Giselle's back, we're all family again. No need to keep business matters separate between our houses."
His words dripped with fake nobility. "The Rodericks are in a tight spot, Giselle. You'll have to convince your brother to step in and help."
I almost laughed. The audacity of this man. Without missing a beat, I shot him down.
"Actually, I'm the head of the Siegfried Family now. Funny—when the rumors said I was dead, not a single Roderick mourned. Now that I'm back, why should the Siegfrieds bail you out?"
The usually gentle, soft-spoken Giselle was gone. The three of them gaped at me, stunned.
Right on cue, the door swung open again.
"Mr. Darrel, are you in here?"
Karina's sickly-sweet voice rang out. "Darrel, you came all this way and didn't even say hello?"
Gone was her modest doctor's attire—now she was draped in designer labels, reeking of new money.
I smirked. "Ah, yes. One big happy family. Though I must've missed the memo where the Rodericks still keep mistresses on the payroll."
My gaze flicked to Darrel's father. "Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
The old man's face turned purple with rage. Karina, meanwhile, shrieked like a banshee.
"Giselle Siegfried?! You—you're alive?!"
Before she could finish, Darrel snapped, "Get out. Now."