An Unbreakable Addiction

Hearing Mr. Jasper Sr.'s words, Mabel seemed to crumple, as if all the strength had drained out of her. She muttered to herself, "It's all my fault. I'm the reason Zane is gone..."

Mr. Jasper Sr., visibly frustrated, shouted, "Get out already! Stop sticking around. My decision is final, and nothing you say will change it!"

Hunter had been nearly ten when he was finally brought back to the Jasper family, and the hardships he had faced growing up had left him distrustful, hesitant to let anyone get close. From the moment Mr. Jasper Sr. first saw Mia, he sensed she might be the one who could break through Hunter's walls.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Though they had been married for three years, Hunter hadn't shown much outward affection for Mia. Still, he came home every night. He didn't push her away, and there was a sense that he was gradually warming to her.

But now, with Jenna suddenly pregnant, Hunter's attentiveness toward her had become uncomfortably obvious. The public was already buzzing with rumors, and even Mr. Jasper Sr. himself suspected that there was more to their relationship than met the eye. His decision to give Mia shares was partly to encourage her to stay and partly to empower her. He wasn't about to let Mabel's objections sway him from what he'd already set his mind on.

Mabel, snapping out of her shock, turned her calculating gaze to Mia. "Mia may be your granddaughter-in-law, but so is Jenna. If you're transferring shares to Mia, then you need to keep things fair. Whatever you give Mia, you should give to Jenna too." "Grandpa, maybe I should just..." Mia began, but her words were cut short as Mr. Jasper Sr. suddenly collapsed.

Mia's face went pale, and she quickly called out, "Mom, open a window for fresh air!"

Mabel looked down at Mr. Jasper Sr. slumped on the sofa and sneered. "He's faking it."

She didn't move an inch.

Without wasting m

more time, Mia grabbed her phone to call 911. If he really had fainted, any delay could cost him his life.

Mabel snatched the phone from her. "Why call 911 if he's only pretending? Once the ambulance arrives, everyone in the city will think you made him faint over these shares!"

Mia's eyes flashed with an intensity that made Mabel hesitate. "If you don't hand over that phone, and something does happen to him, will you be able to live with the consequences?"

Though she respectfully regarded Mabel as her mother-in-law, Mia knew full well that Mabel wasn't Hunter's biological mother. Mabel showed little warmth toward Hunter and even less toward Mia, ant outsider.

In their three years of marriage, their interactions had been minimal and mostly superficial greetings at family gatherings.

Initially, Mia had thought of Mabel as a ful figure, a grieving mother. But now, after witnessing her true nature, she finally understood the saying. "There's often more to a sob story than meets the eye,"

Momentarily thrown by Mia's fierce gaze, Mabel faltered. She had assumed Mia's meek demeanor was genuine, mistaking her for someone easily controlled. Now she realized Mia's quiet behavior was merely a facade, likely all to gain favor with Mr. Jasper Sr. Taking advantage of Mabel's momentary shock, Mia swiftly retrieved her phone, dialed 911, and rushed to open the window to ventilate the room.

After making the call, she immediately dialed Hunter's number, silently praying that Mr. Jasper Sr. would be all right.

Hunter picked up after two rings, his voice cold. "What's going on?"

"Grandpa passed out! Get back to the office, now!"

"Got it." As he hung up, Hunter opened his car door to step out.

Jenna, beside him, reached out, grabbing his arm. "Hunter, weren't you going to take me home? Where are you going?"