Chapter 14 You … What did you do ! Why did you rip my mominys drawing? That was made by my mommy Serenas voice cracked , her throat tight with entotion .
She had been holding back for so long , but now , the dam of her frustration and hurt was finally breaking .
Stella mixed her chin , an air of superiority draped over her like a cloak .
Her eyes flicked over Serens with disdain , her lips curling into a sneer .
It was just a stupid drawing .
Whats the big deal ? Your moms the one who drew it , right ? So what ? Youre a bad kid , and your mom is a bad person a really bad person .
Stellas mind raced with accusations .
That drawing must have been a pathetic attempt by that brats family to get close to Sonny .
They probably based it on a photo of him , using it for her to worm their way in .
Theyre all bad people .
Just like that kid : Youre the bad one Serenas voice was high pitched with rage : Youre the bad , bad person .
You cant say anything about my mom .
Her small face flushed red and her eyes welled up as the flood of emotions finally spilled over .
With a burst of energy , she charged at Stella , throwing her small body into the girls chest with all the strength she had Stella wasnt prepared , not expecting such strength from a litle kid like Serena .
Her eyes widened in shock as Serenas tiny body knocked her off balance .
She fell to the ground with a loud thud , her palm scraping against the rough pavement .
A sharp , searing pain shot up her arm , and she cried out , her voice raw with pain .
Sonny , it hurts .
My hand … its bleeding Stella Grayson rushed to her side , his face twisted with worry .
His protective instincts flared as he glared at Serena , his expression darkening .
Get away from Stella .
Dont touch her Without a second thought , Grayson shoved Serena hard , knocking her off balance .
She stumbled backward , her feet scrambling for purchase .
Her hands shot out to catch herself , but she almost crashed to the ground again .
Sonny , please .
Youre my brother Serenas words tumbled out in desperation , her voine barely above a whisper .
Graysons anger exploded .
His face twisted with fury as he roared , Ive told you a hundred times , Im not your brother .
I dont want a brat like you as my sister .
Stella is like family to me and you hurt her .
Yo Youre a bad seed , so just get out of here .
Stellas sobs pierced the air , the sound raw and agonizing , and Graysons heart clenched in pain .
He reached out to comfort her , but his anger was too much to ignore Seeing Serena step forward again , he shoved her even harder , his hands pushing her away with relentless force .
Leave .
Now , If you dont , Ill have my dad throw you out Grayson shouted , his eyes flashing with determination .
Serena stood frozen , her heart breaking at his words .
It was her who pushed me first , and my hand is hurt too .
It hurts just as much as hers .
Why doesnt he care about me ? Why doesnt he understand ? My moms drawing … She ripped it up and called my mom a bad person Tears welled up in her eyes , hot and relentless .
The tears fell one by one , each drop heavier than the last .
The injustice , the hurt , and the rejection all piled up in her chest until it felt like she couldnt breathe , I dont want you as my brother anymore , Serena cried , her voice thick with sorrow .
I dont need you in my life .
Her chest heaving with the intensity of her emotions , she looked up at Grayson with tear streaked cheeks .
The pain was unbearable , a weight she couldnt shake .
The moment felt endless , cach breath a struggle , but when Grayson reached for her again , she couldnt stand it anymore .
With the last ounce of her strength , Serena raised her hand , striking back in defiance The bourdrogin of Vanderbilt Group was suffocating with tension , the air thick with unspoken words and palpable stress .
The usually crisp , professional environment now felt heavy , as if the walls theinselves were holding their breath The quarterly slurrholder meeting was underway , but the mood was anything but routine .
Every face in the room seemned taut eyes flickering between their papers , yet all minds were on the nun sitting at the head of the table .
Dominick , tall and imposing , sat with an air of unyielding authority .
His broad shoulders and stern gaze made it clear that he commanded the roon no one dared to break his focus .
His lips were pressed tightly together , his brow furrowed , the lines of displeasure etched deep into his features .
It wasnt just a look , it 1/2 it was a silent 436 PM c d Chapter 14 warning that nothing would be tolerated , especially not here , not today Mr.
Hale , whats going on with Mr.
Vanderbilt one of the shareholders murmured , casting a sideways glance at Julian Dominick was the powerhouse behind Vanderbilt Group his decisions shaped the companys very future .
Right now , they stood on the edge of a crucial partnership with the government on a patent development project , One inistake , one wrong move , and everything could crumble .
Julians voice cut through the tension like a knife .
Mr.
Vanderbilt is fine .
Please dont worry , he said , his tone smooth , almost effortless , But the moment he spoke , he had already spotted something that made his chest tighten .
From Julians vantage point , he saw Dominicks fingers hovering over his phone , the screen illuminated by the WhatsApp interface .
Dominicks hand , large and poised , trembled slightly as his fingertips hovered over the name Paisley .

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He had been staring at it for far too long , the unspoken words on the other side of the screen weighing heavily on him .
Julian was about to shift the conversation , to distract the shareholder with a well timed remark , when his phone vibrated .
Looking at the caller ID .
his pulse spiked .
It was the school .
He swiped to answer , only to hear the frantic voice on the other end inform him that Grayson and Stella had been attacked on campus ,