She would try to develop a new relationship with McKenna, her biological daughter, but it wouldn't be the same. At least she would always have Selena in her life, even if it wasn't as her daughter. The thought brought a mix of emotions: sadness, guilt, and a hint of relief. Molly knew that she had done her best to raise Selena, but she also knew that the Lowries could give her a better life. It was time to let go and allow Selena to have the life she deserved.
"I will never force my daughter," Eun Ho said, her voice firm but controlled. "I have 14 years to make up for, and I want to do it right. There's legal paperwork to sort out, and I want to introduce Selena to her sick family in South Korea. But I will not force her to do anything she's not comfortable with."
Eun Ho's eyes locked onto Molly's, her gaze steady. "You must allow Selena to decide to travel. You will not guilt her about receiving what she's due. She deserves to know her heritage, her family, and her racial identity."
Molly nodded, a small frown on her face. She knew that Eun Ho was right. Selena deserved to know the truth about her family, and she deserved to make her own decisions. Selena always asked her about her roots.
Robert was Indigenous and from the Chocktaw tribe. That's why she didn't doubt Selena was hers. She was a mixed-race child, but her dark hair and red brown eyes came from Eun Ho. She could see Eun Ho in the way her daughter lectured her.
Eun Ho continued, her voice raising slightly. "You will also be accountable for teaching McKenna about her family. We will make sure she knows her roots, her culture, and her heritage."
Molly hung her head. That would destroy McKenna's life. Rob had luckily left her alone out of sheer disinterest. If he knew McKenna had a wealthy background, he'd bleed these people dry and her dry, literally. He wanted her dead. "That is not exactly an option, McKenna's father..I do not know who he is. It has always just been me."
Jonathan spoke up, his voice calm and measured. "We will, of course, have set aside a trust fund for McKenna. She will be taken care of, and she will want for nothing." Molly swallowed.
Eun Ho's eyes locked onto Molly's again, her gaze steady. "But Selena must become a Lowrie in exchange. She will take our name, learn our cultures, and become a part of our family."
The room fell silent, the weight of Eun Ho's words hanging in the air. Molly knew that this was a turning point, a moment of truth. She looked at James, her heart heavy with emotion. What would Selena choose? Would she choose to become a Lowrie, or would she stay with Molly? Only time will tell.
Jonathan's eyes flicked to his lawyers, and with a subtle nod, they sprang into action. They opened their briefcases, revealing a stack of papers that seemed to grow taller by the second.
The lawyers' hands moved swiftly, sorting through the documents with practiced ease. The first paper they pulled out was a non-disclosure agreement, its language strict and unforgiving. Eun Ho's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched Molly's face pale.
"This is a non-disclosure agreement," one of the lawyers explained, his voice smooth as silk. "It's standard procedure in situations like this. You'll need to sign it, of course."
Molly's eyes darted to the paper, her mind racing with the implications. She knew that signing the NDA would mean giving up her right to speak out, to tell anyone the truth.
But what choice did she have? The Lowries had them cornered, and she knew that they would stop at nothing to keep their secrets safe.
As she hesitated, Jonathan's eyes seemed to bore into her soul. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that he was not a man to be trifled with.
The lawyers, sensing her hesitation, leaned in, their voices taking on a menacing tone. "I'm afraid it's not optional," one of them said, his eyes glinting with malice. "You'll sign the NDA, or...accidents can happen."
Molly's eyes flicked to the door, where two burly men stood, their faces impassive. She knew that they were the ones who would make sure she signed the paperwork one way or another.
With a sense of resignation, Molly reached out and took the pen. She signed the NDA, her hand shaking slightly as she handed the paper back to the lawyers.
As Jonathan watched Molly sign the non-disclosure agreement, he felt a sense of satisfaction. He had always been a pragmatic man, willing to do whatever it took to protect his family's interests.
He looked at Eun Ho, who was watching Molly with a fierce intensity. He knew that she was determined to get Selena back, and he was determined to support her. There was only one period in which he did not support his wife unconditionally, and Jonathan was regretting it now.
Jonathan's eyes narrowed as he thought about the situation. He knew that Molly was a potential threat to their family's secrets, and he was willing to do whatever it took to keep her in line.
But as he looked at Molly, he felt a twinge of unease. If their daughter was anything like them, she was going to be fiercely loyal and protective of what she saw as her own. He wondered what she looked like.
Eun Ho's voice cut through his thoughts, her words cold and calculating. "Now that the paperwork is out of the way, let's discuss the terms of our agreement," she said, her eyes glinting with triumph.
Jonathan's eyes met Eun Ho's, and he nodded in agreement. He knew that they had to be firm, that they had to make sure Molly understood her place.
Jonathan's voice was firm and commanding as he laid out the plans. "We will move your household into the Penthouse, and we will meet our daughter as soon as possible. Our children have been recalled from private school. You will meet McKenna as well. Understandably, we want Selena to be as unharmed by the process as possible, you will be generously accommodated for as long as she permits it."
James's eyes flashed with anger as he stood up, ready to protest. But before he could say a word, Eun Ho's voice cut him off.
"What isn't she already accommodating you?" Eun Ho asked, her tone matter-of-fact. "I believe you are both technically her part-time employees, and she is paying the bills."
James felt a sting from Eun Ho's words, his face reddening as he hung his head in shame. Eun Ho's dressing-down was swift and merciless, leaving James feeling humiliated and defeated.
As he stood there, feeling the weight of Eun Ho's words, James couldn't help but think, "They did some research. So, this was never meant to be a negotiation from the beginning. They came to us with demands." The realization made him feel even more angry and helpless. He could not imagine how Molly felt.
Jonathan's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the couple, his voice dripping with disdain. "We did our research. We know you love Selena, but let's not pretend that you've been model parents. You both have your problems, and our daughter has suffered because of it."
Molly's eyes widened, her face paling as Jonathan continued. "Subpar healthcare, psychological damage, neglect, and trauma from your substance abuse problems... these are just a few of the things that Selena has had to endure under your care."
James's face reddened, and his fists clenched as he listened to Jonathan's scathing assessment. But Jonathan wasn't finished yet.
"So before you try to attack us for our 'cold-hearted' treatment of you and your biological daughter McKenna, remember that we raised her with every advantage. She had the best education, medical care, and counseling. She wanted for nothing, not even the simplest things like food and a clean home."
Jonathan's gaze bore into the couple, his eyes flashing with anger. "So wipe off the 'holier-than-thou' and victimized looks from your faces, Molly and James. We're not being Monsters, we are being protective of our own."
James's face was red with rage, but he seemed frozen in place, unable to respond to Jonathan's verbal assault. Eun Ho's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched the couple crumble, her expression triumphant.
Jonathan's words cut through the air like a knife, leaving Molly and James reeling. His voice was cold and detached, but the weight of his words was crushing.
Molly's face went pale as she listened to Jonathan's scathing
assessment of their parenting. She felt like she had been punched in the gut; her breath was knocked out of her. As Jonathan finished speaking, Molly's legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed into her chair, her body trembling with shock and shame.
The room was silent, the only sound was the heavy breathing of the occupants. Jonathan's words hung in the air, a challenge to Molly and James to defend themselves against the accusations.
Jonathan's gaze never wavered from Molly and James, his eyes cold and unyielding. He seemed to be daring them to try and defend themselves, to try and justify their actions as parents. Moreover, he was like a crocodile with its prey in a death roll.