“As I told Beauregard and Jessica earlier… I can’t give either of my brothers the promotions. They haven’t been in the company long enough.”

Russett stood up, slamming his hands into the table just before his salad was set down. “You can’t do that! We were counting on those promotions. Just change the rules!”

“Exactly!” Her mother followed her second son’s suit. “We can’t be expected to let your brothers suffer because of silly rules your father made!”

Jessica sighed. “I’ve already looked over it, ‘mother’.” The last word dripped with disdain. “It’d take just as long to change it properly. But she promised a counter offer.”

Eyes were on Hannah as she took a small bite of her salad. “Mm.. Mr. Matthews please tell the chef this salad is perfect will you?”

“Of course, young Miss.” he said with a smile. 

At least someone was enjoying the show.

Chip was barely paying attention and only seemed to remove his hand from the assistant’s thigh when the word counter offer came up.

“Ah yes, dear. What counter offer?”

Hannah smiled. “ First, if either of my brothers would like to transfer to a department where there are some people likely to retire after the additional four months, I’ll help facilitate that transfer. But considering that doesn’t help now I want to offer something extra.”

Now all eyes were on her, even the so-called assistant. Hannah knew with everyone paying attention, and with this extra witness, there was not going to be a graceful way for anyone at the table to back out without looking ungrateful.

“Beauregard, Russett. I know in both of your cases it’s in part not feeling like you can afford to have a good home and staff to help you during this time. You are all barely making six figures each. And I know neither of you touched your trusts yet.”

Hannah left the ‘because it’s easier to take my money’ out. They all knew it.

Jessica nodded. “That is true. And Beauregard could only find places that were too far from your mother.”

“Right. So what Chip and I are going to do,” She watched as Chip suddenly sat up straight hearing his name. “Is give you the home we’ve been preparing. Jessica, you need a place to raise your children that’s not filled to the brim with relatives. Mothers need time away from their inlaws.”

“Now wait-” Chip started.

“That is a counter offer we can accept. But I thought you were moving things in already?” Jessica held up her cup to be refilled. “What about that?”

“Oh well, I can take over the space you currently have anyway. And Russett?” She turned to him, with a smile. “You aren’t married yet so I hope you don’t mind waiting but I will also get you your own home. Either one already built or I can build it here on the property. Either way is fine with me.”

Russett quickly hid behind his wine, his eyes shifting to Chip. Russett would pretend to be mid drink when he was hoping someone else would say something. And Chip’s bulging vein in his head was certainly wanting to say a few things. Chip looked ready to pound his fist but seemed to remember where he was.

“Ah ha. Dear. I thought we were just… throwing ideas around before.” He forced a grin onto his face. “I didn’t realize we were serious.”

“I was dead serious. How could I leave my brothers feeling cramped in their little sections of the family home?” Hannah turned to her mother. “Of course I won’t force you out, mother. Or Russett if he really doesn’t want to go. I just want there to be an option.”

“I see.” Her mother slowly took a nervous sip. Hannah was suppressing a grin. 

Hannah knew her mother’s plans involved keeping video everywhere in the home. At least until she knew she had full control of the staff. This meant the plan to make her think she was delusional was doomed to fail. At least the current one. There would be others. But that was a later problem.

“Would everyone like that? I hope it’s enough to make up for the inconvenience. And of course the homes would belong to you outright.” She clasped her hands together. “I couldn’t live with making any of you take a mortgage.”

Mrs. Kerr stared down her oldest son. She was expecting Beauregard to say something. DO something. Argue some point against this.

Jessica pointed her fork at her husband. “Say no and no cuddles for a week.”

Just like that the man became very interested in his salad. Russett rolled his eyes at his brother. 

“I don’t know if I want it. It certainly isn’t the same as that promotion.”

Hannah nodded solemnly as she took the last bite of her salad. “You are right, dear brother. The home I thought you’d like has a lakeside view, and is worth around forty million dollars. Even selling it if you hate it would net you over half the trust fund you got. But the manager position would get you more respect and a hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. That is nothing to ignore.”

The steak and potato au gratin were set down. Oh Potatoes, how she had missed having them on the regular. Her family had been so determined to make her cut carbs and fat and sugar and everything that made life worth living from her diet. In the months before her wedding she’d get a plate of thin broth and a pile of vitamins. Of course now she wondered if some of those were really drugs. But that was not exactly a concern anymore. 

She put her fork in and carefully cut a bite sized piece off of the steak, watching the juices flow out. Medium rare. Just how she liked her filet mignon. As she took her bite, her mother purposely scratched the china with her steak knife. 

“This wouldn’t be an issue at all if you just. Gave. Them. The. Company.” With each punctuated word, her mother’s voice became more and more strict. 

Hannah could feel the sinking feeling return to her stomach. It was making it hard for her to eat the bite of steak. No. She needed to stay strong. They hurt her. They tormented her. Made her think she was crazy. Tried to pay off people to gaslight her. Starved her and even abused her when she didn’t do as they wanted. All for control.

“Will you shut UP!” Jessica’s voice screeched, echoing throughout the dining hall. “I already told you the legal paperwork is iron clad. Hannah is being a far deal kinder than anyone else in her position would think to be. So unless you want to be kicked out, then thank her for being kind.”

Hannah looked to Jessica, feeling as if a holy light shone upon her sister in law. Never had Jessica ever stuck up for Hannah publicly like this. She had been right to gamble giving her the house. The woman just wanted something before thinking about standing up for someone like Hannah. 

Or maybe she just hated Mrs. Kerr way more than she hated Hannah. That was a possibility too. The dagger eyes leaned more towards that actually.

“I… of course. Russett. Beauregard… tell your sister thank you.”

“Thank you Hannah.” Beauregard quickly spoke up before returning to his food, offering to cut his wife’s steak quietly as he did.

Russett held up his glass. “Well how about I do one better and we toast my dear sister. To Hannah, the youngest, luckiest, and most willing to please others out of all of us.”

He grinned and suddenly threw his arm up with his glass tilted towards Hannah. A stream of red wine coming right at her. She had been expecting something like this. He had done this at least three other times in the past life. He hadn’t realized as he threw the wine, Hannah was already moving to stand up and get more of the mocktail she had finished. Causing the wine to splash harmlessly onto the chair. Hannah glanced at the chair and looked to Russett.

“Brother, did you have a bit too much to drink today? Maybe you should have some water if you’re that clumsy.” She said with fake concern. “Mr. Matthew?”

“Of course, young Miss.” 

He pulled away the chair and another staff member got a fresh chair for her to sit down in. Meanwhile, Russett’s wine glass was pulled away and the servant placed a glass of water there in its place. He couldn’t say another word as he sat down. What could he say other than admit it was on purpose?

Chip was hiding a smirk.

“I guess you’ll need to have a different plate my dear. Yours is covered in wine now. Of course I’m sure the salad was already plenty.”

Hannah narrowed her eyes at Chip, watching the ‘assistant’ put her hands on his lap, whispering about the ‘fat cow’ he was engaged to. She noticed his food was untouched. Hannah let out a small smile. Well. Maybe he could diet as well.

“Oh didn’t you say when you called earlier you were having tacos, Chippy? You must be very full from them. You haven’t touched your plate or your salad. Why don’t you give her your salad? Then you and I can swap plates.”

“I uh. Wait. But.”

Russett smirked. “You are going to marry. What’s sharing food a time or two?”

“You should give her your plate! I don’t want to give up wagyu just because you couldn’t hold your wine.” Chip snapped back.

As the arguing continued, a servant came out with a fresh plate and set it in front of Hannah. With a bigger steak than before. Mr. Matthew bent over and whispered. “The chef wants to make sure you get to enjoy the food. And he’s been enjoying the show.”

Hannah gave a small nod as she began to eat the food. The assistant looked completely unsure what to do. So Hannah gave a small gesture to take Chip’s food. After all, the fights between him and her brother at this point could go on for some time. Even if she wasn’t worth learning the name of, Hannah supposed she shouldn’t starve.

And based on how quickly the girl took Chips' food? The girl agreed.

Hannah hoped whatever Dr. Fry was doing, it was as amusing as this dinner was.