Maria's eyes widened with shock hearing what her daughter said to her. She couldn't bring herself to believe that her daughter would say something that to her.
"Grace, that's enough.." Chris said to her, but Grace didn't feel like stopping anytime soon.
"The only reason dad married and stayed with you was because of Christopher. And then you had us. But guess what, mom? We are all grown now." Grace continued.
"Christopher is married to the love of his life and the president of Smith's cooperation. I'm with the man I love as well and an accomplished actress." Grace spat out and glanced at Mike, who was now outside the room to check what's going on.
"And Kyle is just about to start his life after school. We are all doing great and in a great place for our lives. We don't need our parents to be together to thrive. Just so you know, I'm going to fully support dad on any decision he makes." Grace said with a tone of finality and stormed to her room. Mike followed after her.
"Uhhhnn!" Maria broke down. She can't believe Whitney already has the love and support of Grace.
She would need to do something about that as soon as possible. But before then, she needs to get the support of Chris and Kyle. She can't have them rally around Whitney like that as well.
And she needs to make sure Whitney doesn't say anything about being their birth mother. She would need to do what she knows how to do best.
"Did she hear what your sister had just said to me? You would have to talk some senses into her. You can't let her treat me like that. And you both can't be in support of the nonsense she just said." Maria said, and Chris just stood still saying nothing.
He knows what it feels like being in love with someone with your entire soul. He looked back at Jane, and his heart leapt in his chest. He would die just to be with her. He would wait a lifetime just to be with her and won't hesitate to be with whoever.
But then he can't help but sympathise with his mother as well. He has no idea what to do as this is driving him insane.
"Mom we will talk about this later on. Right now, we are all about saving a life. As soon as Mrs Whitney feels better, then we can all talk about this." Chris said to his mother.
"Don't tell me you like her too." Maria whined.
"Mom, it's not about liking her. It doesn't matter how I feel about her. We simply can't let her die simply because we don't like her." Chris said, feeling agitated, and Maria went quiet.
She needs to be careful with her reaction. Even though she would kill and do anything just do have that bitch Whitney disappear right away. She can't show her emotions to them. She needs to pretend.
"Fine! Whatever you say, son." Maria said, and Chris hugged his mother, just to provide her with some comfort.
He then detached from her and made way to Jane, who was still feeling down and scared. She really has not been bothering herself with the fight going on. All she can think of is Mrs Whitney.
"Hey my love. I'm so sorry that our little honeymoon has to be caught off like this. I promise you we are going to have something more grand." Chris hugged Jane from behind and said to her.
"I just feel so scared for Mrs Whitney. I can't help but worry. Why would she even have a panic attack?" Jane asked and Chris kissed her on the forehead.
"It's nothing to worry about. We are going to find out as soon as hear from Mike. Please try and calm down, I don't like seeing you like this." Chris said and Maria rolled her eyes. She would have loved to say something, but now is not the right time.
Meanwhile, Mike is in Grace's room consoling her.
"I don't get why she would do something like that. I'm beginning to see her in the worst light." Grace cried as she spoke.
"I think your mom is just sad and upset because of everything that's happening. You must understand that she's going through a lot as well. She might be getting divorced soon, so you should try and understand her." Mike said and pulled Grace into his arms.
He hugged and patted her back till she was able to calm down.
"I think we should head back outside. My dad needs me so much, and so does Mrs Whitney. And I'm not saying this because of the little fight I just had with my mom. But I really can't help, but I feel close to Mrs Whitney in a way." Grace said, feeling vulnerable.
"I don't know how to place my feelings, but this is the way that I feel. I want to be there for her, hug her, and protect her." Grace said and felt a feeling of sadness overwhelm her.
"I'm sure we will have it all figured out." Mike said and kissed her on the lips softly.
They headed outside the room and met everyone still outside the room. Grace made sure not to make any eye contact with her mother. She's not interested in having anything to do with her.
I'm so sorry that I took so long." Mike said with Grace by his arm
"Mike you are here. What happened to Mrs Whitney?" Chris was the first to ask. Maria felt her heart sank, seeing them all worried for Whitney, especially her children.
It was as though they knew she was their mother for real. She would need to curtail this mess before it becomes a bigger problem. She silently withdrew into her room.
She picked up her phone and made a call through to one of her hitmen.
"Hey I need your help. I want you to kidnap someone." She said to the guy.
"Look who has come crawling back after so many years. Who would have thought that the prestigious madam of the Smith empire has another side to her. Who are we sending out of the world this time?" The man over the phone asked and Maria frowned.
"I hate it when I'm reminded of the past so shut your mouth. And I'm not killing anyone, I just want to kidnap the person to make a threat. I need someone to know that I'm still in charge of the game." Maria smiled.
"Hmm! Of course, so who is it going to be?" He asked.
"My daughter, Grace Smith." Maria answered and the man over the phone was shocked as well.
"What! You want me to take your daughter?" The hitman asked to be sure.
"I'm sure you heard me well. I'm quite aware of what I said. I will send you the details of where she would be and how you will capture her. So don't you dare make any mistakes." Maria said and ended the call.
She thought of taking Jane, but it would be too suspicious. But no one would suspect that she kidnapped her own child.
This should be enough to send Whitney running. She thought with her a wicked smug on her face.