Chapter 451: Chapter 451: Intimidation
"Jackie," Preston was really nervous, his father was drunk and speaking out of turn, and Jackie was joining in the uproar? What was this all about?
Unfortunately, Lucas Pierce simply ignored Preston Pierce.
In his eyes, there was only money. Since Grandpa had started this, he had no reason to back down.
Moreover, whenever Grandpa had demands for Auntie, didn’t she always agree after being stubborn at first?
This time would be no different.
"What you’re saying seems to make some sense," Ivana Monroe spoke again.
Her words shocked some people but gained approval from others.
"Look at this granddaughter-in-law, how sensible she is! She knows that as a daughter, she should help her family."
"Yes! No wonder she had two sons; that’s a blessing."
"Exactly, raising a daughter should be like this."
Those praising Ivana Monroe were old friends invited by the Price family elder.
The elder, with a drunken smile on his face, said, "It’s still the granddaughter-in-law who understands."
Lucas Pierce beamed with joy, looking at Ivana Monroe as if those ten billion dollars had grown wings and were flying over to him. He cheerfully said, "Cousin-in-law, you’re so supportive of Grandpa and me; you must be a dutiful and filial daughter."
It seemed as if these words were deliberately meant to provoke Leon’s mother.
Leon’s mother was so angry she felt like spitting blood, her heart aching as she glared at Ivana Monroe with hatred.
She realized that because she had offended Ivana Monroe a few times, Ivana was now seizing this opportunity to embarrass her even more.
Leon’s mother looked over at Leon Keane, seeing his handsome face without any sign of anger, which pierced her heart harshly once again.
Previously, when she had asked Leon for money to give to Lucas Pierce, Leon was very reluctant, and eventually, it was only because of Ivana Monroe that he relented.
Now, that wretched Ivana, in order to show off, is deliberately embarrassing her, and Leon, her son, did not scold Ivana, allowing her to bully his mother this way.
Leon’s mother felt extreme desolation in her heart, as if she had been abandoned by all her relatives.
Ivana could feel the hatred-filled gaze from Leon’s mother, but she didn’t look at her because in Leon’s mother’s mind, she was always the evil one.
If that’s the case.
Then she had nothing to worry about.
Lucas Pierce saw Ivana smiling but not mentioning the issue of money, so he nervously pressed his fingers and shamelessly said, "Cousin-in-law, I really need that ten billion; can you have Cousin write me a check right now?"
Such thick skin.
Ivana sarcastically thought to herself and slowly said, "What? Why should I have my husband write you a check?"
Lucas was taken aback, a bit slow to react: "Didn’t you just agree with what we’re saying, saying we have a point?"
Ivana nodded earnestly, "Yes! But I didn’t say I was going to give you ten billion!"
Lucas’s expression stiffened, "Then what do you mean?"
The Price family elder was initially pleased with Ivana, but now looked at her as if she were an enemy.
Leon’s mother was taken aback, not expecting Ivana to have a turnaround here? Her eyes were fixed on Ivana, apparently waiting for her next words?
Leon Keane’s thin lips curled into a faint smile. The woman he chose would never stupidly give money to the Price family elder. Ivana wasn’t like Leon’s mother and wouldn’t be blindly filial.
Ivana’s face showed guilt as she slowly said, "I suddenly thought of my own family. I married such a wealthy husband, but haven’t given my family ten billion to support my elders, so I feel very ashamed."
The Price family elder and Lucas Pierce turned pale, thinking Ivana would help them, but unexpectedly her mind was on her own family.
Damn it!
At this moment, Ian Keane suddenly spoke, helping intuitively: "Daddy, this is where you’re wrong. You gave the Price family a small venture capital, and that company is worth billions. How can you neglect Mommy’s family? She’s the mother of your two kids!"
Ivana laughed, looked at Ian gently, reached out and touched his head: Good boy, you said it well!
Ian blushed with shyness.
Leon’s mother was dumbfounded; she initially thought Ivana was showing off to embarrass her on purpose, but now it seemed Ivana was a vampire, thinking only of her own family.
Such a master of disguise.
Could it be that Leon sees through Ivana’s real face now?
Leon’s mother assumed Leon Keane could see clearly, but looking at her son’s face, he seemed to be smiling?
Was she seeing things?
Leon’s mother rubbed her eyes and looked at Leon again, his smile was gone; she breathed a sigh of relief and thought! Her son is so smart, he’ll certainly see Ivana’s real face.
The Price family elder was enraged, pointing at Ivana and cursing, "Have you no shame? All you talk about is your family, have you and Leon even got married? You haven’t even held the ceremony, and you have the nerve to ask Leon for money?"
Lucas also thought Ivana was overstepping, trying to compete with him? Leon’s mother is Grandpa’s daughter, being filial to Grandpa is only natural, who does Ivana think she is? How dare she compete with me for money?
Preston’s brows were furrowed tight enough to kill a fly; he never expected Leon to marry such a greedy woman and felt very uneasy, extremely hating Ivana, fearing she would fan the flames next to Leon’s pillow and that all of Leon’s money would be cheated away by her to her family.
"A wedding is just a formality; we have the certificate."
Ivana looked at Leon and said, "Did you bring our marriage certificate? Take it out and show them."
"I did," Leon said calmly, reaching into the inside pocket of his suit and pulling out the marriage certificate, opening it in front of the Price family elder and Lucas Pierce: "This is our marriage certificate, Ivana is the woman I, Leon Keane, have chosen."
He paused and added, "She’s also the biological mother of my two children."
The Price family elder was blocked, agitated, and started rambling irrationally, "I don’t care, you two have a certificate but didn’t hold a banquet, it doesn’t count as a real marriage. Even if you get married tomorrow, there should be priorities; give Jackie the ten billion first, then give some to her family later."
Lucas nodded vigorously, "Yes, priorities, you understand?"
Lucas greatly admired his grandpa; when it came to asking for money, his grandpa was the top expert.
"Haha..."
Ivana suddenly laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Lucas asked with an ugly look on his face.
"Laughing at how foolish you are," Ivana collected her smile and coldly said, "Do you understand the law? I’ve received the marriage certificate with him, so I’m legally recognized as his wife, meaning half of all his assets are mine. When you ask for ten billion, why should I give five billion to you?"
Ivana’s words were imposing, and both the Price family elder and Lucas were shaken.
"Let me tell you, not to mention five billion, in the future, I won’t give you even a penny. I’m Leon Keane’s wife, and even if it’s his private property, I have the right to have a say, that’s called being a spouse."
She paused and continued, "You and I have no familial ties; why should I give you money? If I have money to show filial piety to my family, isn’t it enjoyable?"
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