Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again. Chapter 5: Meeting the new family together.

Within the confines of the bedroom, Hades Quinn, a man who was supposed to be paralyzed from the neck down, was now sitting upright. His personal physician was meticulously examining his legs, his touch eliciting flinches from their owner.

"Sensation has returned; you should be able to walk within a month. In the interim, you can utilize a wheelchair or a walking cane."

"Understood," Hades replied.

"Congratulations on your wedding, by the way," the doctor remarked, stepping back as she got him on his feet.

"There was no wedding," Hades responded brusquely, as his personal assistant, Owen Jones, assisted him back into bed.

"Wedding or not, it's fortunate you are married. Now your wife, blessed with gentle hands, can provide you with a sponge bath instead of poor Owen here," the doctor chuckled.

Hades shot the doctor a glare.

"Too soon?" Doctor Friedman raised an eyebrow.

Hades offered no response. Doctor Friedman, surmising it was indeed too soon, made his exit.

Owen closed the door and then settled onto a small chair beside the bed. He began to squeeze a small bath towel, preparing to attend to Hades’s physical needs.

"Has she engaged in any activity that requires my attention?" Hades inquired of Owen. The 'she' in question was his wife, Sunshine Raine.

"No. She did, however, confront Moon Raine when she discovered her rummaging through her bedroom. Currently, she is in the garage, occupied with repairing some vintage automobiles," Owen answered precisely, his accent bearing a British lilt.

"She must be signaling her need for a new vehicle. Arrange for two new cars to be sent to her. Disregard any budgetary constraints. All I can do is lavish her with financial support as recompense for the injustice she endured." Hades closed his eyes, his exhaustion palpable, as if he had just completed a strenuous ten-kilometer run. He pondered the conflict between the two sisters, particularly Sunshine, who was forced into a separation from her boyfriend due to an inequitable marriage. "Also, procure her account details. As the mistress of Quinn Manor, she is entitled to financial resources."

He drifted off to sleep, contemplating the extent of compensation he could offer her.

******

Breakfast at the Quinn Manor was an opulent affair. Reflecting their immense wealth, they indulged only in the finest provisions, offering an exquisite variety. Some delicacies required daily importation via air, a feat easily managed as the family maintained five helicopters, and their sprawling estate possessed ample space for their landing.

The Quinn family's substantial fortune was predominantly amassed by Hades Quinn. His entrepreneurial journey commenced as a co-owner of a confections and food enterprise alongside his mentor. Subsequently, independently, Hades expanded his ventures into real estate, e-commerce, media, oil and gas, and telecommunications.

From humble beginnings, subsisting on meager earnings, the Quinns ascended to the ranks of multi-billionaires. This dramatic shift in status unfortunately engendered a change in demeanor among certain relatives, fostering an air of arrogance and ostentation.

These very relatives were the most vociferous in their opinions regarding the union between Sunshine and Hades.

"It is precisely 8:05, and she has yet to arrive. For the new mistress of the household, she exhibits a rather poor grasp of etiquette," Brigitte Quinn scoffed.

Fifi Quinn emitted a delicate sneer. "Mistress? I observed her fleeing the premises last night, neglecting her ailing husband. She spent the night in the servants' quarters. It is abundantly clear this marriage is a mere trifle to her." She emphatically placed down a glass of wine.

Fifi Quinn, Hades’s aunt, harbored a distinct displeasure. She strongly opposed her brother, Hades’s father, and his wife’s decision to arrange Hades’s marriage to a mere servant girl.

She might have been indifferent if the foolish Cassius had made such a choice, but for Hades, it was different. Numerous young women from reputable families would have eagerly seized the opportunity to become his wife, even in his current state.

However, her brother and his wife had adamantly maintained that Sunshine was an exceptionally kind-hearted and diligent young woman, destined to care for her paralyzed husband without prejudice. Alas, their assessment proved incorrect. She had abandoned her husband at the earliest opportunity.

Her other significant concern revolved around their family's reputation. The inhabitants of Babel City were notorious for their ceaseless gossip, scrutinizing every individual and situation. It was inevitable that the entire nation would eventually mock the esteemed Quinn name. Their reputation would likely be irretrievable once the public learned that Hades had wedded a maid.

"She requires time to adjust to this new reality," Larry Quinn, Hades’s cousin, spoke in Sunshine’s defense.

"She is the mistress of Quinn Manor, wed to a billionaire. What necessitates acceptance or denial?" Lisha Quinn tossed her hair back with an air of arrogance. "Instead of scrubbing floors, she now treads upon them in expensive heels that likely surpass her annual salary."

A cacophony of voices rose, only to subside as Moon entered the dining room, reluctantly accompanied by Cassius. Their parents, the Raine family, followed closely behind.

Fifi let out a disdainful snort. She appeared visibly irked by their presence, regarding them as insufficiently qualified to occupy the same table.

"Here comes the thief," Warren Quinn muttered.

His daughter, twelve-year-old Carola, let out a suppressed giggle.

Sunshine then made her entrance into the dining hall. Compared to everyone else, her attire was remarkably underdressed as she walked in. The blue shirt she had on bore a noticeable grease stain. Around her waist, her tool belt remained, and her boots appeared to be two years out of style.

In Lisha’s estimation, this was a significant transgression.

To the astonishment of everyone present, Sunshine proceeded directly to Hades’s usual seat and settled herself there with casual comfort.

"Damn it!" a voice muttered nearby.

"What do you think you're doing?" Fifi shrieked.

Sunshine lifted a fork, directing its tines towards the spread of food. Her gaze seemed to convey, "What else would I be doing? I'm here to eat, naturally."

"That is not your designated seat," Fifi informed her.

"Sister Suni, you are welcome to join us here," Moon purred, her voice laced with coquetry. She batted her eyes and offered a smile, projecting an image of unparalleled beauty and angelic kindness.

Sunshine shot Moon a withering glare. She impaled a grape with her fork as if aiming for Moon’s head and popped the fruit into her mouth. Disregarding the curious stares, she liberally helped herself to bread, eggs, bacon, and all the cloud berry crème pastries that had been specially flown in.

"She's completely lost it," Dido Quinn, a seven-year-old, confided to Earl Quinn, Hades’s seven-year-old son.

The young boy blinked. The individual deemed 'crazy' was his new stepmother, and he was unsure how to navigate this peculiar situation.

"Listen up, both of you," Fifi declared, her eyes flicking between the two young Raine women. "My brother married you into this family because we require additional heirs to perpetuate the Quinn name..."

Moon raised a hand, interrupting Fifi mid-sentence. "I am already addressing that, Aunt Fifi," she said, her face brightening with an expectation of praise.

However, Fifi’s fingers curled into a tight fist. "The heir you will provide will not possess the Quinn bloodline flowing through its veins, so your news hardly excites me," she stated, her lips thinned in displeasure.

Moon’s smile faltered, and she clenched her jaw.

Richard and Rori, Hades’s parents, were clearly displeased by Fifi’s sharp remarks.

Rori Quinn’s stern, disapproving gaze fixed on her sister-in-law. "Fifi! How could you possibly suggest my grandson is not a Quinn! My son adopted him through the proper channels, and therefore, he is undeniably a Quinn," she retorted, her voice trembling slightly.

Tsk-tsking with a show of disappointment, Fifi waved a dismissive hand. "I will never accept him, and you cannot force me to. Even if Hades desired to adopt, couldn't he have found someone more typical? Must it be an imbecile who can barely speak and drools constantly at the dinner table! Observe him; even a dog drools less than he does." Her eyes widened, revealing the sheer intensity of her animosity on the matter.

She couldn't fathom why Moon had brought Cassius along. Was her intention to offend everyone?

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