Chapter 61

expenses, provided that the sisters relinquished a larger share of the insurance money to the grandparents.

The contract was duly signed and sealed by the grandparents, uncles, aunts, and both sisters.

There were three copies of this contract, retained by the sisters, the grandparents, and the local community. Despite the numerous witnesses, Mike had the audacity to claim that the sisters had never supported their grandparents.

After losing their parents, no relatives stepped forward to take care of the sisters. With their paternal grandparents taking half of the $1.2 million insurance payout, the maternal grandparents insisted on receiving $400,000 as well. In the end, the sisters were left with just $200,000.

At the tender age of fifteen, Liberty took charge of their parents’ funeral arrangements and handled Serenity’s paperwork to enroll her in boarding school. Serenity’s education was secured, along with her meals, freeing them from relying on the generosity of others. This was the reality the sisters faced after their parents’ tragic passing—the so-called relatives never reached out or offered any assistance.

Yet, things took a turn when those same relatives appeared unannounced one day, demanding money as Liberty was about to walk down the aisle. They believed the family should share in the wealth now that Liberty had found success. It was truly shocking how shamelessly they acted. Unsurprisingly, the family was now expecting the sisters to cover the medical expenses for their sick grandmother. “Mr. Hunt, if I recall correctly, you are twelve years older than me. Fifteen years ago, at twenty-two, you were present when we divided the insurance payout after my parents died in that accident. Surely, you haven’t forgotten that we are not obligated to pay for…”

Grandmom and Granddad’s maintenance was tied to the insurance money. “You used the one hundred and fifty thousand dollars from Grandmom and Granddad to build a house. The additional hundred thousand dollars was meant for their retirement,” she explained.

After benefiting from my parents’ life insurance, you have the audacity to accuse me of not contributing to family support and expect me to make amends?!” Fifteen years ago, a hundred and fifty thousand dollars was a significant amount, enough to construct a home from scratch. “Oh, I forgot. Of course, you’d know that, given your lack of shame! I’m telling you right now, Mike, I couldn’t care less!” With that, Serenity hung up the phone. Mike’s attempt to reach out again resulted in him being added to Serenity’s blacklist.

Zachary had overheard the entire exchange. He hadn’t previously looked into Serenity’s background, only hearing from Nana that Serenity lost her parents in a car accident when she was ten. The sisters managed to get by and complete their education with the help of the insurance money, which clarified Serenity’s strong bond with her sister.

After all, they had relied on each other for over a decade. For Serenity, Liberty was her only family in the world. It seemed Zachary needed to do more research into Serenity’s history. She had never discussed her extended family with him, nor had he felt the urge to ask.