My Mother Planned To Move My Broke Brother Into My $2.4M Mansion—Until My Billionaire Husband Walked In With Our Daughters

Eleanor’s eyes darted across the digital listings, but instead of horror or shame, a stubborn defense hardened her features.

"Derek had to secure liquidity!" she snapped, raising her voice without a shred of remorse.

"His catering venture ran into regulatory complications last winter, and his landlord was threatening an eviction notice!"

"He took security deposits on private real estate he does not own, Eleanor," Daniel interjected, his sharp legal instincts cutting through her excuses.

"In the state of Georgia, executing fraudulent lease instruments on residential property over twenty-five hundred dollars constitutes grand theft and real estate fraud."

Lily tugged at my denim skirt, her wide hazel eyes looking up at the strange, angry woman shouting in our bright kitchen.

"Mommy, why is that lady mean? Are we getting kicked out of our playroom?"

"No, my love," I whispered, kneeling down to press a soft kiss against Lily’s temple before looking up at Daniel.

"Take the girls upstairs to the media room, honey. Put on their favorite movie while Eleanor and I conclude our family reunion."

Daniel nodded, taking Sophie and Lily by their hands and guiding them gently toward the stairs with quiet reassurances.

Once the heavy oak door of the upstairs suite clicked shut, I turned back to face my mother, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You haven't changed in ten years, Mom. You still treat everyone around you like chess pieces meant to serve Derek’s failures."

Eleanor took a step toward me, her face flushed with venomous indignation.

"How dare you judge him! You always thought you were superior just because you buried your nose in textbooks while Derek tried to build an enterprise!"