Chapter 82

Serena's POV

I couldn't help but laugh. We both knew if I dared raise a hand to Beatrice Sinclair, the family would destroy me. The assault charges would mysteriously disappear, replaced by a much worse narrative.

"I wouldn't dare," I replied frankly.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Angela's slight slump of disappointment.

I watched Grandmother's triumphant smile spread across her face, knowing she thought she'd won. "Now that we've settled things properly," she said, "we just need you to withdraw those unfortunate charges."

I kept my expression neutral, years of board meetings serving me well. "You're right, Grandmother. There's no point in pursuing legal action." I paused, letting her satisfaction grow before continuing. "I'll withdraw the charges - in exchange for ten percent of Sinclair Holdings' shares."

The silence that followed was absolute. Lawrence's knuckles went white where they gripped his armrest. Angela's perfectly arranged smile froze, then cracked.

"Have you lost your mind?" Lawrence's voice rose sharply. "You have no right to demand such a thing!"

I maintained my calm, pulling out a leather folder I'd prepared for exactly this moment. "Actually, I do. Mother owned twenty percent of Sinclair Holdings before her death. Her will specifically mentioned StarRiver Group, but was silent on other assets." I met his gaze steadily. "According to inheritance law, those assets should be split equally between spouse and child."

"You're trying to blackmail us." Angela's voice trembled with indignation.

"I'm claiming what's legally mine." I spread the documents across my desk. "My lawyers have confirmed it. Ten percent of Mother's shares should have come to me years ago."

Lawrence stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This is absurd. I won't be threatened by my own daughter."

"It's not a threat. It's a choice." I kept my voice level. "We can handle this quietly, or we can let the courts decide - alongside Grandmother's assault charges. I'm sure the press would love to cover both stories."

I watched the color drain from his face. The Sinclair name meant everything to him - the thought of it being dragged through the mud was his worst nightmare.

"You wouldn't dare," Grandmother hissed, her earlier pretense of remorse forgotten.

"Try me." I met her glare without flinching. "I have nothing to lose. My reputation's already been questioned thanks to this family's actions. But yours?" I shrugged. "Well, that's still pristine, isn't it?"

Angela stepped forward, her voice rising. "Lawrence, you can't possibly-"

"Enough." His voice cut through her protests. He looked suddenly tired, the morning light harsh on his face.

"Lawrence!" Grandmother's outrage filled the room.

"You have one day to consider." I kept my voice steady as I delivered the ultimatum. "Tomorrow, my legal team will begin preparations for both cases. I'm sure they'll find the inheritance laws particularly interesting."

Lawrence's jaw tightened, and I could see the calculations running behind his eyes.

"Lawrence, you can't possibly agree to this!" Angela stepped forward, her perfectly manicured hands gesturing frantically. "You only have fifty percent of the shares yourself, and she wants ten percent? That's absurd!"

"Shut up!" His voice cracked like a whip. "Would you rather see my mother in jail?"

Angela's face flushed. "But so many shares..." she persisted, her voice trembling with barely contained greed.

The sharp crack of palm meeting flesh echoed through my office. Grandmother had moved so quickly I almost missed it. Angela stumbled back, holding her reddening cheek, her eyes wide with shock.

"How dare you!" Grandmother's voice shook with rage. "You think about shares when my freedom is at stake?"

I watched the scene unfold with cold satisfaction. Angela's eyes filled with hatred, but she quickly masked it with a wounded expression. "Mother, you misunderstand. I'm not disregarding your situation. I just think Serena is being unreasonable..."

"Silence!" Grandmother cut her off, trembling with fury.

I pulled out the prepared contract, sliding it across my polished desk. "The paperwork is ready. Everything's in order."

Lawrence picked up the contract, scanning it quickly. "You'll withdraw the charges against your grandmother?"

"After you sign." I remained firm. "Though honestly, you're not in a position to negotiate. These shares are legally mine either way. By signing voluntarily, you're simply saving the family's reputation - and giving me a reason to be merciful."

He signed with a sharp, angry motion. The pen scratched against paper like a confession of defeat.

"One more thing," I added, watching their faces carefully. "Nina should probably tender her resignation. It's rather awkward for an executive to be caught undermining her own company. Unless she'd prefer to explain her actions to the board?"