Molly choked up a bit, then continued, âMy uncle said my mom and I didnât know how to run a company, so he took over, doing everything he could to strip us of our assets, and finally kicked us out of the house.â Molly sobbed, âMy mom used to have a few houses in her name, but now theyâre all gone.â
âDidnât anyone else step in to help?â Arabella asked softly.
âGrandpa used to run things at home, but after he passed away, my grandma died shortly after too.
The company used to be managed by my dad, but then he left, and everyone started listening to my uncleâs advice.â
No one stood up to defend them.
Some older relatives advised them to back off, saying life under the Coopersâ protection would be easy.
But if they fought against the Coopers, things would surely end badly!
âBut I just wouldnât back down. Theyâre way out of line.â
Her uncle bullying them was bad enough, but then even her cousins started bullying them, bothering them even after they moved to a rental place. It was as if messing with them was some sort of fun game.
âThe person dumping trash on the grave today was definitely one of my cousins!â
Molly said angrily, âIt was the same last year. She took a couple of bodyguards and kicked out all my dadâs offerings, dumped trash on the grave, and said a lot of disrespectful words. My mom argued with her, and ended up getting hurt by her bodyguards. It was just horrible.â
Molly paused, as if remembering something, âThis happened around this time last year, too, Ms.
Bennett, can I make a call?â
Arabella, guessing what was coming, looked up, âOf course.â
Molly quickly took out her phone, dialed her momâs number, but no one picked up. She was very nervous, with a bad premonition.
Just then, Dean knocked on the door, âMs. Bennett, thereâs a lingerie company thatâs doing really well recently. They want us to help with production as their current line canât meet the demand. Plus, the price theyâre offering is pretty attractive. Their manager wants to meet you at River Bank Cafe in an hour, is that okay?â
Molly tried calling again twice, still no answer. She was getting more anxious, âMs. Bennett, can I take a leave? I want to go see Lantern Mountain.â
Her dadâs grave was at the top of Lantern Mountain, River Bank Cafe was actually only a tenâminute drive from there.
That works out.â Arabella glanced at Dean, âGo get the car ready.â
Sheâd been picked up by Romeo recently and didnât have her own car, but the company had two spare vehicles.
After they left, someone picked up the design draft on the desk.
On the way, Molly kept dialing her momâs number, but no one picked up. She was getting more and more anxious.