"Jasmine, if you dare utter nonsense again, I'll send you abroad instantly. You'll never set foot here again," Raymond threatened.
"Is sending me away the only solution you can think of? This time, I won't yield or surrender. I refuse to allow that woman and her illegitimate child to return to the Shelbert family. They will never receive any of our money," Jasmine retorted firmly.
Raymond boiled with rage. "Why are you acting like this, Jasmine? Luna is also my daughter. I get to decide whether or not she receives the Shelbert family's assets. You have no right to interfere or make decisions here."
Luna couldn't hide her satisfaction upon hearing this. Her efforts to set up the ploy and receive a slap from Jasmine weren't futile after all. Trading a slap for an opportunity to inherit the family fortune wasn't a bad deal at all.
Luna immediately grabbed Raymond's arm with a look of concern. "Dad, please don't be angry. Don't let me disrupt the family's harmony."
Next, Luna shifted her gaze to Jasmine. "Since I was young, my only wish has been to find my father. I've always envied others who had dads. Why didn't I have one? Returning to the Shelbert family is just so that I could be with my family. I'm not after the family fortune. You don't need to worry that I'll compete with you on that."
"Are you hearing yourself, Luna? Do you even believe what you're saying?"
"Jasmine, what do you need me to do for you to believe me? I don't want to ruin your relationship with dad because of my return to the Shelbert family. I just want to be with my family. After spending all these years as an orphan, all I've wanted is a happy family."
Jasmine's expression turned to disgust. "Cut the act. Don't think I can't see through your intentions for returning to the Shelbert family. I assure you that you won't succeed."
Luna's eyes flickered with a hint of hatred as she quickly cast her gaze downward. She then turned to Raymond, saying, "Dad, I came to find you because I genuinely want to be with my family. It's not for money."
Raymond looked at Jasmine and said, “Look at the difference between you and Luna. She's more filial, responsible, and caring than you are."
"Dad, are you praising Luna for her so-called virtues, or is it because she's agreed to take in that illegitimate child as your grandson? Is having a grandson really that important?"
Jasmine never realized how much her father favored boys over girls. After her mother's health deteriorated following Jasmine's birth, she never bore any more children. Raymond had always maintained that he didn't want more children, let alone a son.
For years, Jasmine had taken Raymond's words at face value. However, Luna's arrival with the illegitimate child revealed the truth. Raymond wasn't indifferent. He was merely hiding his true feelings all along.
Raymond's expression darkened as he warned, "Jasmine, I suggest you stop talking. I've decided to revoke your access to your credit cards, effective immediately. Since you're so competent, don't come asking me for help." With that, Raymond turned on his heel and departed in anger.
Luna decided to feign sympathy. "Dad, please don't be upset with Jasmine. She's just speaking out of frustration. She didn't mean what she said."
Once Raymond had left, Luna turned to Jasmine with a sly grin. "How do you like the little performance I orchestrated for you?"
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