Chapter 221

I froze, finally realizing that the woman they were talking about was Mom. "You… You went to see my mom?" I asked in disbelief. "Of course," Grandma replied matter-of-factly. "She wanted to change your last name and even acted like it was for your own good, saying it was your decision. "As if we'd believe that! And after everything that has happened, she owes us an apology. She owes the Ashford family an apology! She should pay for what she's done! But when we confronted her, she actually had the nerve to—" "What?" I cut in, staring at them intently. Grandma and Aunt Shirley exchanged a quick glance before answering hesitantly, "She… She accused us of only coming to her for money…" "Did you take the money?" Their hesitation spoke louder than words. In that instant, I understood everything. They didn't go to Mom for me; they went for money. And this news scandal? There was a good chance they were behind it too. Maybe they had even come to me now for the same reason—money. I too