Blood Relatives Who Drained Me

Three days after my miscarriage, I returned to the office despite the pain. Eric had insisted I rest, promising to oversee our new multimillion-dollar contract himself. Still, a gnawing unease wouldn't leave me.

I pushed open my office door. Eric's cousin, Kaylafresh from dropping out of vocational schoolwas lounging in my executive chair, using my ten-thousand-dollar tea set to mix powdered milk tea. She was lecturing my department manager.

"This project is mine now. You employees better behave," she declared. Newly signed outsourcing contracts littered the table, stamped with my company seal.

Eric spotted me but didnt flinch. He stepped in front of Kayla, frowning. "Why arent you resting? Kayla needs a starting point. Youre the boss anywaywhats wrong with her being project director for a while? We can have another child. Dont damage family harmony."

I looked at his self-righteous face. Strangely, I didnt even feel like slapping him.

"Youre right. Were family." I walked over and placed the highest-authority company seal in Kaylas hand. "The director position is yours. Tomorrow, youll sign the thirty-million-dollar performance agreement yourself."

Eric and Kayla both froze.

Clearly, they had prepared a stomach full of arguments.

Eric had even arranged his frown in advance, waiting for me to make a scene so he could accuse me of being unreasonable.

Kayla held the seal, and her eyes instantly lit up.

Although she had dropped out of vocational school, even she knew that with this thing in hand, she could walk sideways through the company.

Natalie, you gave this to me willingly, right? My cousin said this is called... what was it? Oh, right. Promoting talent without avoiding relatives.

Kayla lifted her chin, sat back down in my chair, and even spun around twice.

Then you should hurry home and rest. Women need to keep warm after a miscarriage. Dont bring bad luck into the office and ruin the fortune of our big project.

Bad luck.

I had just lost our child on the operating table, and now, in his cousins mouth, I had become a woman carrying bad luck.

How ridiculous.

This was the honest family I had supported through countless sleepless nights.

Eric heard it and not only failed to stop her, he even walked over and patted my shoulder.

Kayla speaks bluntly. Dont take it to heart. Shes worried about your health too.

He put on a loving expression, as if he had not been smug and self-righteous moments ago.

Ill keep an eye on the big contract myself. Kayla is just holding the title for experience.

All right, hurry home and lie down. I ordered you some chicken soup. Remember to pick it up when it arrives.

A bowl of takeout chicken soup worth a few dozen dollars.

In exchange for a core project with nearly ten million in net profit.

Erics calculation was so loud it could probably be heard from the moon.

Just then, a heavy cramp twisted through my lower abdomen, as if a hand were stirring inside me.

I endured the pain and looked at him coldly.

Fine. Since its Kaylas project now, from tomorrow on, she signs every document related to Pinnacle. Dont overstep your authority.

After saying that, I turned and began packing the personal items from my desk.

Kayla immediately watched me like a thief. Natalie, dont take company property.

I ignored her and picked up a client contact list from my drawer.

Just then, my right-hand man and deputy project manager, Martin, rushed in with several reports.

Ms. Grant, this outsourcing contract cant be signed like this.

If we use these inferior materials, Pinnacle Groups quality inspection will never pass. If we breach the contract...

Before Martin could finish, Kayla cut him off.

Why are you yelling? Im the project director now.

Kayla slammed the desk, sweeping my designer bag onto the floor.

That supplier was introduced by my uncle. Their price is half the market rate. Thats called controlling costs for the company. What does an employee like you know?

Martins face went pale with anger. He turned to me.

Ms. Grant, this is the order you spent half a year securing. The agreement states clearly that if theres a quality issue, we pay triple damages. Theyre destroying the company.

Eric immediately put on the posture of a boss and scolded Martin.

Martin, youve been with the company for years. How do you still not understand obedience? Ms. Grant needs rest. From now on, I make the decisions here. If you cant do the job, go to finance and settle your salary.

Martin looked at Eric in disbelief, then at me.

For five years, Eric had been the nice guy who never managed anything in the company, collecting dividends under the title of Ms. Grants boyfriend.

This was the first time he had seized power in public.

I took a deep breath and suppressed the stabbing pain in my abdomen.

Martin.

Do what Mr. Bell and Director Bell say. Hand over your work.

Martins eyes widened.

He looked at me as if I were a stranger.

I said nothing more.

He shook his head, sighed, slammed the reports on the desk, and turned to leave.

Kayla laughed smugly.

Natalie is still sensible. Oh, and that genuine leather back cushion of yours, I want it too. It wont do you any good at home, so leave it here.

Fine. Keep it.

Holding a small paper box, I did not look at the two cousins again.

I walked straight out of my company.

The moment the door closed, I heard Kayla laughing inside.

Eric, look at her. She really thinks shes some strong career woman. But you still have her wrapped around your finger.

Now our family is going to be rich. A thirty-million-dollar deal. My uncles kickback alone will be this much.

Eric lowered his voice and scolded her with a laugh. Enough. Keep it down. Once this money comes in, Ill buy you an apartment in the city.

Standing by the elevator, I looked at my reflection in the glass doors and smiled.

Wrapped around your finger?

Eric, you probably dont know that Pinnacle Groups project was never some gift from heaven.

It was a life-or-death contract I deliberately signed to prepare the company for going public.

Our cash flow was already tight, and Pinnacles requirements for materials and deadlines were almost insane. If even one link went wrong, the settlement clause in the performance agreement would trigger immediately.

Originally, I planned to mortgage a villa under my own name and personally supervise every detail, risking everything to earn that money.

But since you and your cousin want this chance to get rich so badly, and since youre bold enough to take kickbacks and use defective materials, then Ill generously hand it to you.

Outside the office building, the sunlight made me dizzy.

I sat in my car, pulled out the contact list, and dialed the private number of Pinnacle Groups executive president.

The call connected after three rings.

I put away my weakness and said coldly, Mr. Whitaker, its Natalie Grant.

The person coming to your company tomorrow to sign the thirty-million-dollar performance agreement will be our new project director, Kayla Bell.

Also, I have some internal information about the material supplier for this project. I think youll be very interested.

The other end was silent for two seconds.

Then he laughed.

Ms. Grant, this is your companys performance agreement. If the materials go wrong, not only is the thirty-million-dollar order canceled, youll also owe me ten million in damages. Are you smashing your own rice bowl?

I leaned against the car seat and looked at the bruise on the back of my hand from the IV.

Mr. Whitaker, that company is now under Eric Bells control. The damages will naturally fall on him, the legal representative and majority shareholder.

Back when we registered the company, to protect Erics pride, he was made the legal representative with a sixty-percent share. I only took forty percent.

He had always thought it was proof of my love.

But legally, if anything went wrong, he was the one carrying joint liability.

The new director, Kayla, found a supplier with extremely low prices. All defective goods.

Mr. Whitaker, just let her sign. In three days, when the materials enter the site, bring quality inspection officers for a surprise check. The ten million in damages will become Pinnacles lawful income.

After hanging up, the cramping pain in my lower abdomen returned.

Cold sweat had already soaked my back.

I gathered my strength and drove home.

The large apartment downtown was bought in full with my own savings years ago.

To protect Erics self-esteem, I had always told people we rented it together.

The moment I opened the door, a strong smell of burning herbs mixed with the stench of spicy noodles hit me in the face.

When I reached the living room, I froze.

On the custom leather sofa I had spent eighty thousand on, an oily old bedsheet had been spread out.

Erics mother was sitting cross-legged on it, slurping noodles.

By her feet lay several baby clothes, cut to pieces.

Last month, full of anticipation, I had personally gone to a baby store to pick out soft cotton clothes for a newborn.

Now they were being used as rags, stained with sunflower seed shells and noodle soup she had spat out.

Oh, the big boss finally came home?

My mother-in-law kicked the little clothes on the floor and spoke sarcastically.

You couldnt even keep a child, yet you still keep running outside.

Our Eric is kind. If this were back in the village, any other man wouldve thrown out a hen like you who cant lay eggs.

I stared at the ruined baby clothes on the floor.

My nails dug deep into my palm.

Just then, the front door opened again.

Eric came in with Kayla, holding beer and cooked food.

Mom, look whos here. Kayla made our family proud today. She signed a thirty-million-dollar deal.

Erics voice was filled with feverish joy.

The moment his mother heard this, she pushed her bowl aside. Her face filled with smiles as she grabbed Kayla and praised her nonstop.

When Eric realized I was home, he frowned, his tone full of impatience.

Why are you standing there? Cant you see Mom made the floor dirty? Hurry up and mop it.

He pointed at the baby clothes being used as rags and said matter-of-factly, Mom said those things are unlucky. Theyll affect the fortune our family is about to make. Throw them into the trash later.

My heart felt as if someone had crushed it.

That had been his child too.

Yet he felt no grief at all. His mind was filled only with that imaginary thirty million.

Kayla joined in, her greedy eyes fixed on the Porsche keys by the entryway.

Exactly, Natalie. Im a project director now. From now on, Ill cover all the household expenses. You can just stay home and take care of my cousin and my aunt.

Oh, by the way, lend me your Porsche for a few days. If Im going out to discuss million-dollar business, I need some proper style, right?

Looking at the three parasites in front of me, I suddenly found it all absurd.

This was the man I had loved for five years with my whole heart, the man I once wanted to spend my life with.

I unclenched my fists and took a deep breath.

Fine. You can drive it.

I looked coldly at Eric and said calmly, Since you all think Im unlucky, I also think this apartment is getting a little crowded. Ill go back to my parents place for a few days to recover.

Eric froze.

He probably thought I would argue with him like before over his mothers cruelty.

He had not expected me to give in this time.

Fine. Go cool your head.

Come back when youve thought it through. But let me say this first. Im a boss now, big or small. Dont expect me to lower myself and come pick you up.

Dont worry. You wont need to.

I turned into the bedroom and dragged out the small suitcase I had already packed with the property deed and important documents.

When I passed through the living room, I did not even lift my eyes.

I opened the door and walked out.

Behind me, my mother-in-laws harsh voice continued.

Go then. Unlucky thing.

Eric, when you get that thirty million, Mom will find you a proper young girl who can give you a big fat son.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I took out my phone and sent a message to the property manager.

Im Natalie Grant, owner of Unit 1602. Please cancel all door codes and fingerprints for my unit first thing tomorrow morning.

Also, help me contact a junk removal company. Have them come to my apartment tomorrow and remove the trash. Anything that is not my personal clothing can be taken away as garbage.

After sending the message, I took a cab straight to a budget hotel.

After a hot shower, I had the first peaceful sleep since the surgery.

At ten the next morning, I was leaning against the hotel bed and drinking warm water when my phone chimed.

Kayla had posted on social media.

In the photo, she wore an ill-fitting business suit and held up the stamped performance agreement. The background was Pinnacle Groups large conference room.

Caption: Thirty-million-dollar deal signed. From today on, call me the youngest female CEO.

Below it was Erics immediate like and comment.

Kayla made me proud. Tonight Im taking you and Mom out for seafood to celebrate.

I looked at the screen and sneered.

Then I casually liked the post, took a screenshot, and sent it to my lawyer.

The evidence is complete. The contract has taken effect. Proceed with the rest according to plan.

The lawyer replied quickly.

Understood. Pinnacle Groups legal department has connected with us. Quality inspectors are already at the entrance of their worksite.

Less than five minutes later, Eric called.

The moment I answered, his furious roar came through.

Natalie, are you insane? Why did the property management change all the door codes?

And why did a bunch of junk collectors run into the apartment and drag my mother outside?

My mom has a bad heart. If something happens to her, Ill kill you.

Listening to my mother-in-law wailing like a slaughtered pig in the background, I frowned and moved the phone farther away.

Correction. That is my apartment. The property deed has only my name on it, and I paid for it in full.

So I asked the property manager to clear out the garbage I dont want. Thats reasonable, isnt it?

Eric froze.

He had never known the apartment was fully paid for under my name.

But he reacted quickly and began cursing again.

Stop acting so high and mighty. You think kicking us out means you control me?

Im telling you, Natalie, I usually let your attitude slide. But today Kayla just signed a thirty-million-dollar deal. The Bell family is about to be worth millions.

You come back right now, kneel to my mom, apologize, and change the locks back. Otherwise Ill divorce you immediately and make sure you get nothing.

I laughed out loud.

Great. See you at city hall at two this afternoon. Whoever doesnt show is a coward.

Eric clearly had not expected me to accept the challenge.

He snorted coldly. Fine. Dont regret it. Im a big boss now. What kind of woman cant I get?

Big boss? I could not help interrupting his dream.

Mr. Bell, before you throw a tantrum, why dont you check how much money is left in the company account?

The other end suddenly went silent.

Then came the sound of frantic mouse clicking.

Wheres the money? Wheres the three million in operating capital?

Erics voice instantly changed pitch. Natalie, where did you transfer the companys money?

That was money I advanced under my own name. I withdrew it all.

Oh, and I already submitted my withdrawal statement yesterday.

Listening to his breathing grow heavier and heavier, I said calmly, word by word,

By the way, the agreement Kayla just signed is a performance contract. The defective supplier she found has already sent goods to Pinnacles site.

Just now, Mr. Whitaker from Pinnacle messaged me. The quality inspectors have already detained that batch of defective products at the worksite gate.

Eric Bell, not only is the thirty-million-dollar order dead, but according to the contract, as the legal representative holding sixty percent of the shares, you must immediately pay Pinnacle Group ten million in damages.

What... You tricked me? Eric finally panicked.

Natalie, are you insane? That company was your hard work too.

Yes. So whats wrong with me destroying it with my own hands?

Just then, Kaylas scream rang out from the other end.

What are you doing? Im Director Bell. Let go of me.