Chapter 3 - WHY VICTORIA HATED CLAIREMoney explained opportunity.
It didn't explain hatred.
That came from somewhere older.
Victoria had selected Ethan's future in her imagination long before Claire appeared.
Right schools.
Right social circle.
Right wife.
Right family merger.
Claire ruined the plan by being herself.
She was wealthy, but not controllable.
Richard had raised her to question people.
She maintained separate finances.
She refused to join Victoria's charitable committees merely for appearances.
Worst of all, Ethan changed around her.
He stopped asking his mother's permission.
Then Claire became pregnant.
Richard's trust changed.
Suddenly the woman Victoria disliked wasn't simply her daughter-in-law.
She was carrying the person who could one day exercise enormous financial influence over Ashford Industries.
Victoria interpreted a baby as a threat.
That was the sickness at the center of everything.
Not inheritance.
Entitlement.
Victoria believed the family's future belonged to her to arrange.
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Anyone who changed the arrangement became an enemy.
Even an unborn grandchild.
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