Genesis turned her glare on Monica next, her lips curving into a small, humorless smile. "Scared, stepmother? You should be."
She passed Jimmy and moved over to Monica who was trying not to shiver, her face losing all its pallour, Genesis stepped just a few feet away.
Genesis's lips twisted into a cruel smile as she stepped closer to Monica, her voice cold enough to freeze the air.
"You should be scared because this is just the beginning. For fifteen years, you and your sons made my life hell. Locked me away, broke me down, tried to silence me. Now it's my turn. I will take everything you love. Piece by piece, I'll strip you of your comfort, your money, your pride. You'll beg me before this is over, Monica. And I will watch you crawl."
Monica flinched, her eyes darting toward Jimmy.
"As for your little empire of casinos," Genesis said, her voice hardening. "Yes, the paperwork may still show your shares. On paper, you might still have a seat at the table. But understand this—those casinos belong to me now. This company belongs to me. And if you think for one second I'll let you touch a single dollar without my say-so, you're more foolish than I thought."
Jimmy barked a bitter laugh. "You can't erase us. We'll fight you—"
Genesis slammed her palm flat on the table, the sound sharp and final. "Try me." Her eyes cut to him like blades. "You'll lose. And I'll make sure when you do, you have nothing left. Not even the shirt on your back."
The silence pressed in again, heavy and suffocating.
Genesis straightened, her calmness returning like a storm pulling back just before lightning strikes. She lifted a hand toward the door. "Now… get out of my office."
Jimmy scoffed. "This isn't over, you ungrateful little…"
"Jimmy!" Monica hissed, grabbing his arm. Her voice shook as she pulled him back. "We're leaving."
He resisted for a moment, but the steel in Genesis's eyes made him falter. Muttering curses under his breath, he allowed Monica to drag him toward the door. The glass shut behind them with a dull thud.
The second they were gone, Genesis staggered. Her hand shot out to grip the table, her body trembling from the rush of adrenaline. Her breaths came shallow, uneven.
The door opened again. Dave stepped back inside, his eyes sharp with concern. "Genesis?"
"I'm fine," she whispered, though her knuckles were white against the polished wood. After a moment, she forced herself upright, her breathing steadier.
Her gaze turned cold again, all business. "Dave. I want reports on every casino within the week. The audits come first. Any one of them draining Caldwell Tech's funds gets shut down. I don't care who screams about it."
Dave nodded firmly. "Consider it done."
"And in the company," Genesis continued, "every executive tied to Monica's regime—pull their files. I want names, accounts, connections. Anyone dirty gets exposed."
Dave's lips curved into the faintest of smiles. "You sound like your father."
Genesis's chest tightened, but she didn't let the emotion show. She just nodded, her voice calm, resolute. "Good. That's exactly what I intend."
****
"Mrs. Melissa," Genesis said, a small smile breaking on her face.
Melissa froze. Slowly, she turned from where she stood facing the wide mahogany desk. For a moment, she just stared—her eyes wide, her lips parting in disbelief.
"Genesis…?" Her voice cracked.
Genesis nodded. "Yes."
The next second Melissa was across the room, pulling her into a tight hug. "Oh my God, you're speaking," she whispered, her shoulders shaking with joy. "After all these years, you're finally speaking."
Genesis's throat ached, but she hugged back, her body filling with warmth.
Melissa pulled back slightly, brushing a tear from her cheek. "I can't believe it… I knew this day would come."
Genesis gave a soft laugh, almost shy, but Melissa's expression shifted, business sliding into her eyes.
"I didn't just come here to see you," she said carefully. "Genesis, do you remember what I told you months ago? About the GED and finishing high school?"
Genesis nodded slowly.
Melissa smiled, a teacher's pride flickering through. "Well, you've been preparing for it with me all this time. Every lesson, every exercise—it's all been leading to this. Today, I brought something for you."
She reached into her bag and placed a thick folder on the desk. Genesis blinked at it.
"It's your test," Melissa explained. "My test. If you can pass this, you're ready for Year Twelve—the final class of high school. And from there, you'll be able to sit for the GED and earn your diploma."
Genesis's chest tightened. She had known Melissa was guiding her through books and lessons, but now it felt real, like a door had opened.
Melissa squeezed her hand, her voice gentle but firm. "You're ready, Genesis. I believe in you. This test isn't to scare you—it's to prove what I already know. You can do this."
For the first time since the boardroom, Genesis felt something different from fury or determination. She felt hope.
A few minutes later,
Genesis stood up from her chair and handed her answer sheet over to Melissa, her heart racing in her chest like it was trying to escape. Melissa took it from her with a small, encouraging smile.
"Just go wait outside for a moment," Melissa said softly.
Genesis nodded, her palms damp, and stepped out into the hallway.
The moment she emerged, a chorus of familiar voices greeted her.
"Genesis!" Daisy came bounding over, her tiny braids bouncing with each step. She grabbed Genesis's hand with both of hers, beaming up at her. "You did it, right? You did amazing!"
Behind her, Cady, Joy, and the other girls leaned against the wall, grinning ear to ear.
"She totally aced it," Cady said, giving a playful wink.
"Yeah, look at her face," Joy added, nudging Daisy gently. "She's nervous but she knows she nailed it."
Genesis pressed a hand against her chest, trying to calm the thunder of her heartbeat. For the first time in years, she wasn't afraid of failing—she was afraid of hoping too much.
The door creaked open, and all of them turned instantly. Melissa stepped out, holding the papers against her chest. Her eyes scanned over the group before settling on Genesis.
For a heartbeat, Melissa didn't speak. Then her lips curved into a wide, proud smile.
"You passed."
The hallway exploded.
The girls screamed, Daisy jumped up and down, nearly toppling over in excitement, and Cady threw her hands in the air. Joy clapped so loud it echoed down the corridor.
Genesis froze, the words hitting her like sunlight after a lifetime of cold.
"You… you mean—?"
Melissa nodded, her eyes shining. "You're ready for Year Twelve, Genesis. You're going back to school."
The girls cheered even louder, wrapping Genesis in a whirlwind of hugs and laughter. Daisy clung to her waist, squealing, "You're gonna be the smartest ever!"
Genesis laughed through the tears spilling freely down her cheeks. For the first time in fifteen years, she wasn't just surviving.
She was moving forward.