"You really think highly of me." Coco Shen let out a light laugh. "I'm just a little assistant to Mrs. Yin, how could I possibly have the power to influence personnel decisions at Yin Enterprises? I'm there to assist, not to be the boss."
Victor Shen's face darkened. He was about to lose his temper, but then remembered Coco Shen's current status—things weren't like before. He had no choice but to swallow his anger and look for another way.
He had seen it clearly just now—the young girl who came back with his daughter was quite good-looking.
She had a bright and elegant appearance, clearly someone who would be good at raising children.
She was also an assistant to Mrs. Yin at Yin Enterprises. If she could marry into the family, not only would the Shen Family's future be secure, but she might even give him a bunch of grandsons.
Thinking of this, Victor Shen's anger vanished instantly.
For Victor Shen, who was obsessed with having descendants, sons and grandsons were everything to him.
Although Coco Shen couldn't guess exactly what her deadbeat dad was thinking, she was pretty sure it was about Mia Dou.
Just thinking about it made Coco Shen especially grateful to Mia Dou.
She knew it was a disgusting and frustrating situation, but Mia Dou still came back with her anyway.
She promised herself that one day, she’d repay this kindness in full.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now." Coco Shen spoke up. "Even though Yin Group gave the Shen Family an enrollment spot at Saint Diana Academy because I look after Mrs. Yin, I don't want any more entanglements with this family. This spot is my price for cutting ties with the Shens—from now on, I have nothing to do with you. Send whoever you want to school, just don't notify me anymore."
"You carry my blood," Victor Shen said, unwilling to let Coco Shen escape his control so easily.
It was rare for him to have such a useful tool; letting go so easily was never his style.
"Heh, is that so?" Coco Shen looked at him without flinching. "I remember very clearly—back when you divorced my mom, she gave up any claim for child support in exchange for a clean break between us. Okay, you can say that agreement doesn’t count. You can sue me, and I’ll pay exactly what the law requires, not a cent more. As for anything else, just forget it. I’m not going to help you."
Victor Shen’s face darkened at her words, his gaze so cold it made Coco Shen’s skin crawl.
But this time, Victor Shen didn’t explode. Instead, he said, "What happened back then was a misunderstanding. I never meant to abandon you."
"Heh." Coco Shen chuckled, "Is that so?"
"Your mother… her personality was just too much, too intense. I never planned on divorcing her. If she could've gotten along with others, I wouldn't have left," Victor Shen insisted.
Coco Shen laughed so hard she nearly cried.
Look at him, just look at him.
Even now, he was still saying things like this.
Who did he think he was?
Some kind of emperor?
Always with that condescending look.
Who cares!
"Your mother was my original wife! If only she wasn’t so soft and forgiving, letting others walk all over her, she’d still be the main wife!" Victor Shen kept insisting. "She was the one who couldn’t stand it anymore and demanded a divorce! Honestly, I still think fondly of her. We were officially husband and wife. When I die, we’ll be buried together."
"Sorry, but no." Coco Shen cut him off. "My mom and I were born stubborn. Scumbags and homewreckers—natural enemies. We’re happy to help them get what they want. So my mom gladly stepped aside, and she never cared about being the main wife. Thanks, but no thanks. And after you die, don’t even think about moving my mom’s grave to be buried with you. I won’t allow it."
"You..." Victor Shen was so angry at Coco Shen that he could barely speak, but he couldn’t yell or curse at her now.
"Alright, I won’t argue about this anymore. As for your younger siblings, help them if you want, or don’t—up to you. But that friend of yours you brought home today, feel free to invite her over often." Victor Shen added, "Your brother Jason Shen is about her age. Just don’t interfere."
Coco Shen waved her hand. "Do whatever you want. I’m not interested in meddling in Jason Shen’s business!"
With Coco Shen’s words, Victor Shen finally felt reassured.
"I heard all your sisters have come to Newport City. You should really consider this enrollment spot carefully." Coco Shen finished speaking and turned to leave.
"Coco!" Victor Shen called after her. "Since Yin Group gave you an enrollment spot, can’t you get a few more? You’re Mrs. Yin’s assistant, so Yin Group should respect her wishes. How many spots do you need? Mrs. Yin has the final say. If you help your siblings, they’ll remember your kindness. After all, you’re a girl—once you’re married, you’ll still need your brothers to support you!"
"Ha! You’re really stuck in the past." Coco Shen glanced at her deadbeat dad. "The old days are long gone, thanks for your concern! I have no intention of getting married. What if I end up like my mom, with some ungrateful, selfish jerk for a husband? No way! I’d rather not be ruined like she was. Don’t get mad, don’t slam the table—the walls here are thin and people will hear! Aren’t you worried my colleague will overhear us fighting? That’s right, just keep smiling. Always keep smiling!"
Coco Shen watched Victor Shen tremble with anger, wanting to explode but unable to do so. She felt a twisted sense of satisfaction.
After all these years, she’d finally let out this breath she’d been holding!
No, this was only the beginning!
The real drama was still to come!
Deadbeat dad, aren’t you obsessed with the Shen Family and your sons and grandsons?
Fine, I’ll give you a taste of real defeat, make sure you never dream of it again!
Victor Shen watched his rebellious daughter swagger out of the study. He grabbed the desk calendar, wanting to hurl it, but remembering the people downstairs, he forced himself to hold back.
Once he got what he wanted, he’d make that shameless brat pay!
Coco Shen walked downstairs. Mia Dou met her with a knowing look.
Jason Shen pretended to be close to Coco Shen, "Sis, now that you’re back, can you stay a few days?"
"What?" Coco Shen looked at Jason Shen, barely hiding her disgust.
If it hadn’t been for Jason Shen, her mom wouldn’t have been kicked out of the house.
Now he wanted her to act like nothing had happened and get along with the homewreckers?
What was he thinking?
Jason Shen felt the chill and malice in Coco Shen’s eyes. His smile froze for a moment.
He was still young and didn’t know how to hide his emotions. He could only awkwardly say, "It’s just that you haven’t been home in so long. I wanted us all to get together."
Coco Shen smiled lightly. "It’s true, I haven’t been back in a long time."
Jason Shen and Mrs. Shen were delighted to hear this.
As long as Coco Shen stayed home for a few days, Jason Shen would have more chances to get close to Mia Dou. Maybe he could even win her over!
With resources like that, what wouldn’t be possible?
"But if we’re going to have a lively reunion, we need more people!" Coco Shen smiled. "This time, I’m not just here to see everyone—I’m here to pick someone from the younger siblings and send them to Saint Diana Academy. So before I arrived, I already notified the others; they should be here soon, right?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Mrs. Shen and Jason Shen’s expressions changed.
They never expected Coco Shen to join forces with the other children from Victor Shen’s affairs!
And she wanted them all to come over!
Why should she?
This was their home!
Just then, the doorbell rang. The housekeeper went to open the door, and a crowd of people stood outside.
There were adults and children, all wearing big smiles.
"Oh, they’re here already." Coco Shen smiled.
Mrs. Shen looked up and, seeing them, trembled with anger. "Get out! Get them all out!"
"Sis, you can’t say that! We’re all family. As the eldest, you should remember your younger siblings, so we’re all here to see you. How could you kick us out?" An elegant woman pushed her child forward, "Lola, say hello."
Lola Shen rushed up to Coco Shen and called out, "Big Sis! Big Brother!"
The last person she greeted was Jason Shen.
Before Mrs. Shen could react, the other children also started calling out their greetings.
The whole house was suddenly bustling.
At that moment, Victor Shen came out of the study. Seeing the scene before him, he almost fainted from anger.
How did all the people he’d kept outside suddenly show up?
"Anyway, there’s enough room in the house. You can pick your own rooms." Coco Shen took charge, "I’ll be here all day, so you can take your time discussing who gets the spot at Saint Diana Academy."
Mia Dou quickly added, "I’m just here as a witness. Once the spot is decided, it can’t be changed. Admission to Saint Diana Academy isn’t something you get just because you want it. Mrs. Yin gave it to the Shen Family out of kindness, so you’d better treasure it."
The women burst into smiles. "Of course, of course, we’re so grateful!"
Mrs. Shen’s face grew even uglier.
She could barely keep her expression under control.
She may have succeeded in becoming the mistress, but that didn’t mean she’d let others take her place.
Victor Shen wanted to say something, but for now, Coco Shen was the one in control—not him.
It was humiliating for him as the head of the household.
Those women used to flatter him, but now they were all siding with his daughter.
For the first time in his life, Victor Shen felt powerless.
Those lovers didn’t even look at Victor Shen. They dragged their luggage and children off to pick rooms.
This time, they were determined to seize the only chance to climb up!
Mrs. Shen, Jason Shen, and Victor Shen were left standing awkwardly in the living room.