Seeing Liu Dongmei’s shocked expression, Su Jiaojiao asked with naive confusion,
“Stepmother, why are you so agitated? Didn’t Dad tell you that all the Shen family assets belong to me? So what’s strange about me asking about my dowry?”
“I… I…” Liu Dongmei couldn’t respond.
After all, those words were just meant to deceive Su Jiaojiao.
First, to make Su Jiaojiao truly believe the whole family genuinely doted on and liked her, with no intention of letting Shen Qingyu compete for the family fortune, thus deceiving her into letting her guard down completely.
Second, of course, they had long planned to flee to Hong Kong City. Once they had deceived all of Su Jiaojiao’s assets, whether those words were said or not made no difference.
But now, with Su Jiaojiao actually asking about the dowry, it made them very uncomfortable.
Today was the most critical and important day—they couldn’t afford to let this fool turn against them now.
Liu Dongmei secretly took a deep breath and immediately put on a gentle, kind smile, saying,
“Jiaojiao, you’ve misunderstood me. That’s not what I meant.
You are Old Shen’s biological daughter, so of course all the Shen family’s property is yours. You can absolutely rest assured about that.”
Upon hearing this, Su Jiaojiao’s face lit up with joy, and she happily said,
“Hmm, I knew stepmother was truly good to me. You would never be two-faced with me like people outside say.
I’ll tell everyone right now that my stepmother is the best stepmother in the world.
Stepmother, don’t worry—after I inherit all of Dad’s property, I’ll still treat you like my own mother and my stepsister like my real sister, with love and affection.”
Liu Dongmei’s face twitched upon hearing this, and she responded with a strained smile, “Good, Jiaojiao, I believe you will definitely be filial to me.”
Su Jiaojiao stepped forward and affectionately linked arms with Liu Dongmei, smiling as she said to Shen Jianguo,
“Dad, thank you so much for finding me such a good stepmother. Dad, since stepmother agrees to give me everything in the Shen family, shouldn’t you also write an agreement?”
“Ag… agreement? What agreement?” Shen Jianguo was momentarily caught off guard.
“An inheritance agreement, of course.”
Su Jiaojiao said matter-of-factly, “Dad, you and stepmother say everything in the Shen family belongs to me, and of course I believe you.
But just me believing it isn’t enough. We need everyone to believe it too.
Just like how you had me sign a power of attorney, willingly handing over the assets my mother left me for you to manage—I definitely need everyone to believe it.
Dad, you’ve always told me that everything in the Shen family is mine. If that’s the case, writing an inheritance agreement shouldn’t be a big deal, right? Unless…Su Jiaojiao deliberately paused, her gaze innocently scanning Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei with a hint of uncertainty,
“Like people outside say, those words are just empty deceits, superficial acts—not genuine care or affection for me, and certainly not a sincere intention to let me inherit the Shen family fortune.”
After all, stepmother brought a daughter into the family. Tell me, in this world, what parents would truly dote on a stepdaughter over their own biological daughter?”
Su Jiaojiao’s words practically placed Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei on a blazing fire.
Those claims about everything in the Shen family belonging to Su Jiaojiao were merely said to appease her.
But if it really came to signing an inheritance agreement, they would never agree.
Liu Dongmei smiled and said, “Jiaojiao, I raised you with my own hands. Though I’m your stepmother, I’ve always cherished you like my own daughter. Haven’t I always given you the best of everything first?
Your father has also said that whatever belongs to the Shen family is yours—he would never give it to anyone else. Don’t you trust him? Asking to sign an inheritance agreement would only hurt your father’s feelings.”
“Stepmother, your words hurt me too,”
Su Jiaojiao covered her chest, feigning heartache,
“I know Dad and you care for me, but outsiders don’t.
After all, where there’s a stepmother, there’s a stepfather. News about stepmothers mistreating the children from the first marriage is everywhere.
Even if I used a loudspeaker to tell everyone that you and Dad genuinely love me, how many would believe just my word? People need solid proof.
If I entrust all the money my mother left me to Dad for safekeeping, and Dad leaves everything he owns to me as inheritance—with everyone as witnesses and concrete evidence—then everyone will be convinced, won’t they?”
Well done. You want my things, I want yours—fair and square.
Shen Jianguo and Liu Dongmei exchanged a glance.
Shen Jianguo furrowed his brows and fell into deep thought.
Shen Jianguo thought to himself, “Anyway, our family of three has already found a way out. As long as Master Zhou’s money comes through, we can take all the assets and head to Hong Kong City for a comfortable life.
Signing this inheritance agreement doesn’t really matter.
Even if I write this agreement letting Su Jiaojiao inherit all my assets, in a couple of days, I’ll just send her to the countryside and leave with both her money and mine.
Judging by Su Jiaojiao’s attitude now, it seems I have no choice but to sign this inheritance agreement. Otherwise, she’ll definitely grow suspicious.
Although she’s usually easily fooled by our sweet talk, she’s not a complete fool. On the contrary, Su Jiaojiao has inherited her mother’s intelligence.”
After some thought, Shen Jianguo said, “Alright, no problem. I’ll go write the inheritance agreement now.”
“Old Shen?” Liu Dongmei seemed to disagree.
Letting Su Jiaojiao inherit all the Shen family assets made her uneasy.
Shen Jianguo shot her a sharp look and said firmly, “This matter is settled.”
Su Jiaojiao’s eyes lit up, and she said happily, “Great, I knew Dad and Stepmother truly care for me.
Dad, Stepmother, don’t worry. At the birthday banquet, we’ll sign both the power of attorney and the inheritance agreement in front of everyone, so all those who doubt our relationship will have to shut up.”
Liu Dongmei replied stiffly, “Mm, as long as Jiaojiao is happy.”
Just then, Shen Qingyu came out wearing a bright green outfit.
“Mom, what is Jiaojiao happy about?” Shen Qingyu asked curiously.
Before Liu Dongmei could answer, Su Jiaojiao cut in, “Sis, don’t overthink this, but Dad and Stepmother said that everything Dad and the Shen family own—the house, savings, antiques, etc.—will all be inherited by me. They said since I’m his biological daughter, it’s only right for me to inherit. Dad even agreed to write an inheritance agreement.”
Su Jiaojiao deliberately emphasized the words “biological daughter.”
“What?” Shen Qingyu’s mouth moved faster than her mind. She appeared both aggrieved and furious as she said, “Dad, Mom, how could you let her inherit everything? What about me? I’m also your biological…”