Chapter 168

Edouard let out a wheeze and sat upright. His hands shook as he hauled himself up with that polished black cane. ‘Where do you get off talking like that?’ he barked. ‘What do you mean your house, your food? LGH and this villa were built off my back.’ Ashton gave a short laugh. He looked down at Edouard like he was some washed-up street performer shouting in the park. ‘You’ve got a bloody imagination on you. Without me, LGH would’ve collapsed two years ago. This place would’ve been repossessed. You’d be out on your arse. The only reason you’re sitting here with heating and a functioning liver is me. You think your pension covered those hospital bills? You’d be dead by now.’ Edouard slammed his cane against the marble twice. ‘You listen to yourself. What kind of lunatic talks to their grandfather like this? Do you even see me as family?’ ‘No,’ Ashton said plainly. ‘You’re just another parasite. You all are. I don’t owe you anything. And if I hear you’ve stirred up more shit, you won’t li