Chapter 209

Angela Sinclair's POV

I watched with calculated satisfaction as my mother-in-law stormed out of the StarRiver. The media ambush I'd orchestrated was already in position - hungry journalists. Family drama among the top one percent still sells.

The reporters descended like sharks who'd scented blood. "Mrs. Beatrice Sinclair, what brings you to StarRiver today?"

"Is this about the rumored board coup at Sinclair Group?"

"Are you trying to broker peace with Serena after publicly disowning her ?"

I watched my mother-in-law's maintained composure crack. Leaning close, I whispered, "Think of what we have talked." Right on cue, she swooned. I caught her, making sure I was positioned perfectly for the photographs.

The reporters backed off. I seized my moment.

"Yes," I admitted. "After everything that happened at the shareholders' meeting, Mother Sinclair hoped to extend an olive branch. But Serena..." I paused, letting my voice catch. "The way she treated her grandmother, right here in the lobby of her own company. Pushing past her, mocking her ..." I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief. "We all know the pressure of running a company is intense, but family should still mean something, even on business."

My performance was perfect. Allegations that Serena Sinclair had verbally and physically abused Beatrice, went viral across social media. But by afternoon, everything had unraveled. Security footage from StarRiver's lobby hit social media, making Beatrice look like exactly what she was - a bitter society matron trying to manipulate the press.

The confrontation at home was explosive. Her slap caught me across the face, years of tennis keeping her arm strong. "You bitch!" she hissed. "I took you in from your middle-class life, and this is how you repay me? By making me look like a fool in front of the public?"

My cheek burned red from the slap.

Rage bubbled beneath my surface. For years, I'd endured Beatrice Sinclair's abuse - her slaps, her verbal attacks. I'm a human being, not some dog she can kick around.

I lifted my head and, in one swift motion, my hand struck across her face with a sharp crack.

Beatrice stood there, stunned. "Angela, you must have a death wish. How dare you-"

Before she could finish, I deliberately fell to the ground, making sure to hit the edge of the coffee table hard enough to look convincing but not enough to truly hurt myself.

Lawrence burst in, his voice thundering through the penthouse. "Mother, enough! Can't this family have one day without drama?!"

Beatrice immediately turned to him, playing the victim. "Lawrence, this woman had the audacity to strike me-"

"Where exactly did she hit you?" Lawrence's tone toward Beatrice held none of its former warmth.

"She just-"

"Mother was just upset," I cut in, pushing myself up from the floor with deliberately shaky movements, tears gathering in my eyes. "I tried to stop her from confronting Serena, but she wouldn't listen. She was convinced Serena would take her side. Now with all this media coverage, she can't handle the backlash..."

"Angela, you lying snake! You're the one who encouraged me to-"

"Enough!" Lawrence roared, clearly having reached his limit with Beatrice. "All you do is embarrass this family! Why couldn't it have been you who died back then instead of my father? Your presence here is nothing but a constant headache!"

"You... you!" Beatrice sputtered, clearly shocked by Lawrence's outburst.

"Aiden!" Lawrence barked. "Confine her to her suite. She's not to leave without my permission."

"You wouldn't dare!" Beatrice's face contorted with fury.

Lawrence didn't even spare her a glance as he stormed out.

"Lawrence Sinclair, treating me like this will bring divine retribution!" Beatrice shrieked as the butler practically dragged her toward the elevator to the upper floor suite. Her protests echoed through the house, but not a single staff member moved to help her.

I watched her being hauled away, savoring every moment of her humiliation. Nina had taken control of Sinclair Group, which stung - those shares should have gone to Oliver. But seeing Beatrice finally get what she deserved almost made it worth it. Besides, Nina was my flesh and blood. Surely she still held some affection for her mother.

Wouldn't she?

Serena's POV

I was reviewing quarterly projections when Vincent stepped into my office. He had that careful look when they're about to deliver potentially sensitive news.

"Ms. Sinclair, Atticus Thorne is here requesting a meeting. He mentioned something about the luxury line financing."

I paused, my coffee cup halfway to my lips. Considering we'd just wrapped up our last board meeting where we'd discussed going solo after two campanies pulled out of the bidding. The plan was to self-finance and maintain full control of distribution. Higher risk, but cleaner operationally.

"Show him in," I said, setting down my coffee.

A moment later, Atticus Thorne walked in, a blue suit. With his tall, straight posture and commanding presence, he caught my attention. Though not conventionally handsome enough to turn every head, there was something distinguished about him that set him apart from the crowd.

"Serena," he said warmly, extending his hand. He was using the casual approach.

"Atticus," I matched his tone, standing to shake his hand. "Please, have a seat."

Once we were settled, I didn't waste time. "Vincent mentioned you're interested in our luxury line?"

"I am." He sat with the easy confidence.

"Why now? Our situation isn't exactly a secret. Neiman's pulled out last week, and the media didn't exactly bury that story."

"Because right now, StarRiver is undervalued. Your Fall collection proved you haven't lost your touch. The market's just spooked by the board drama." He spoke with the direct candor.

"Your portfolio?" I asked.

He pulled out a sleek leather portfolio. "Thorne Capital. We're boutique, but our assets under management are healthy."

I scanned the documents, noting the address. "What's your connection to the Thorne family?"

His slight smile told me he'd been waiting for this. "Rachel Thorne is my cousin, actually."

My eyes narrowed imperceptibly.

"Rachel's grandfather and mine were brothers," Atticus explained. "You probably know that the Thorne family is split between politics and business. My branch of the family went into politics."

I closed his company documents, my mind already reaching its conclusions though my expression remained neutral.

"I trust you're well aware of my... complicated relationship with the Thornes," I said carefully.

"Indeed," Atticus replied without hesitation. "That's precisely why I sought cooperation with you, Serena."

I raised an eyebrow.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." Atticus smiled, his expression the picture of cultured refinement. "Isn't that the same principle behind Rachel Thorne's alliance with Nina?"