He Threw Me Out At Six And Came Back Twenty Years Later To Marry Into My Family Chapter 03

Before he could speak, Jett let out a cold laugh.

“Mr. Hale comes to the Voss family to discuss marriage without even figuring out who’s in charge here?”

Silas picked it up.

“Our family tradition: daughters inherit. Elowen runs Voss Consolidated now. Without her nod, forget the engagement—your partnership paperwork won’t make it through the door.”

My father’s face finally changed completely.

He’d probably thought I was just a daughter the Voss family kept around to spoil.

But the Voss family had never worked that way.

Voss Consolidated had always passed to the women.

Except this generation had produced five sons in a row.

The year they brought me home, Matriarch Clara held my hand and said, “We finally have a daughter in this family.”

She didn’t treat me like a stand-in.

She taught me to read financial reports, took me to meet the board, showed me that being loved doesn’t mean being caged.

I wasn’t the Voss family’s decoration.

I was the Voss family’s heir.

Liora cried.

Her tears fell quietly, the kind that made people’s hearts soften.

“I really didn’t mean to take anyone away. I just like Ronan. I can change. If there’s anything about me Elowen doesn’t like, I’ll change it.”

My mother immediately hugged her.

“Sweetheart, love shouldn’t make you this small.”

My father looked at Elias.

“Mr. Voss, I brought my wife and daughter here today out of respect for the Voss family. If the Hales and Voss join families, the Eastridge project, the medical fund, overseas channels—all resources can be shared.”

He paused.

“The Voss family doesn’t need to give up that much for one child’s emotions.”

Matriarch Clara’s cane hit the floor.

“Mr. Hale, if Elowen says no, this conversation is over!”

My father’s jaw tightened.

My mother was still performing decorum.

She helped Liora to her feet, as if retreating.

“Matriarch, since Elowen can’t accept it right now, we won’t push.”

Then she looked at me, her tone softer.

“Elowen, I’m not blaming you. It’s just that Liora grew up with everything going her way. She’s never seen a scene like this. If you don’t like her joining the family, we can take it slow.”

I smiled.

“Can’t you hear what I’m saying, Mrs. Hale?”

“Not take it slow.”

“Don’t come at all.”

Liora’s crying stopped.

With trembling hands, she unclasped the bracelet from her wrist and held it out to me.

“If you hate me because my parents spoil me, take this.”

“It’s a coming-of-age gift from Dad. I’m not showing off. I just want you to know I’m really not trying to steal your family.”

“I’m begging you. Don’t tear Ronan and me apart.”

I looked at that bracelet and suddenly remembered a pearl hair clip.

The day I turned six, my mother clipped it into my hair herself.

She crouched in front of me and said, “My daughter looks so pretty today.”

I was so happy I didn’t dare move, afraid the clip would slip.

That was one of her rare gentle moments.

I thought Mom finally liked me.

Only later did I learn it was just a prop she used to set my father off.

I didn’t take Liora’s bracelet. “No need.”

My father finally lost patience.

“Elowen Voss, what gives you the right to convict the Hales?”