Chapter 18 Return What’s Mine
She’d always felt wronged. She was his real daughter–so why did he always take Yvonne’s side?
For a while, Claudia had guessed maybe it was because Yvonne wasn’t related by blood, just an outsider, so he was more hesitant to scold her and took it out on his own daughter instead.
But later, she realized she couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Stepdaughter? Yvonne was no stepdaughter. She was Henry’s illegitimate daughter.
Think about her age–how much older was Yvonne than her? Barely six months,
And now Summer’s eldest daughter in the Capital was already twenty–one, a full two years older than Claudia. Which meant….. Henry had been involved with Summer long before.
Claudia lowered her head to hide the chill in her eyes, and her thoughts drifted to her mother, who had died in an “accident when Claudia was just five years old.
It had better t
truly have been an accident. Otherwise… I’ll make sure the two of them live to regret it.
She raised her eyes and said, “Dad, am I really your biological daughter? Why are you always kind to Yvonne, but never to me? I’ve done nothing wrong, yet every time you scold someone, it’s me.”
She glanced at Yvonne standing beside him. “With her next to you, she looks more like your real daughter than I do like I’m the outsider here.”
Summer and Yvonne both froze, their faces stiff.
Henry’s face turned thunderous.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!”
The surrounding guests couldn’t help but sneak glances at them. Whether it was just in their heads or not, Yvonne really did look a little like Henry.
Summer’s heart tightened. She was afraid someone might pick up on something, so she rushed to smooth things over. “Alright, Claudia was just speaking on impulse. Why get upset over that?”
She wore a look of concern for Claudia, like she was trying to protect her–but in truth, she just wanted the topic dropped immediately.
Before anyone could say anything, she quickly changed the subject. “Claudia, what did you prepare for my birthday?” Birthday gift
Claudia chuckled.
Exactly why I came today
With a wave of her hand, someone stepped forward carrying the gift she had brought,
The box was opened to reveal a document and a pen.
Summer’s eyes lit up instantly
Claudia looked up just in time to catch the flash of greed in her gaze
Her lips curled coldly as she looked at Sumuner and said. “Starting four years ago, I’ve given Madam Summer the same birthday gift every year–10% of the shares my mother left me in Royal Entertainment. Four years adds up to 40%.
Summer’s eyes gleamed even brighter. Yes, 40%-and with the final 11% this year, she would surpass Claudia’s maternal grandfather’s side and become the company’s majority shareholder.
1/2
+10 Free Coins
Chapter 18 Return What’s Mine
She was just waiting for Claudia to hand her the papers so she could sign.
Just as expected, Claudia picked up the document–along with the pen–and held them out to her.
: ར ཝཌ་
Summer’s smile deepened as she reached out to take them. But the moment her eyes landed on the text, her smile froze in place. For a second, she wondered if she had misread it.
At that same moment, Claudia’s voice rang out-
“Madam Summer once told me I was too young to manage my own shares, that it wasn’t safe to keep them myself. So I gave them to her to hold onto.”
“But now, I thought about it. I’m nineteen. That’s not so young anymore, is it? And I have my husband to help me manage things now, so I don’t need Madam Summer’s help anymore. I’m very grateful to Madam Summer for looking after them these past few years. But now it’s time to return them.
Claudia smiled sweetly, like she had never doubted Summer’s intentions and trusted her completely.
Summer looked up in shock, nearly losing control of her expression in front of everyone for the first time.
“Claudia, you-
“What’s wrong?” Claudia looked puzzled. “Madam Summer, why aren’t you signing?”
None of the guests had expected this turn of events. Their gazes swept repeatedly over Summer, whispering to one another. “If I remember right, Royal Entertainment’s other major shareholder is the Goodman family–Claudia’s mother Faye’s family, right? After Faye passed, those shares were managed by her side of the family. How is that not safe?”
-Unsafe–what a joke. Her own grandfather wasn’t safe, but the stepmother was? Sounds more like she conned a little girl…
“Look at her now. She can’t even bring herself to sign
Hearing the murmurs, Summer’s expression nearly cracked. In that moment, she realized it–Claudia had changed. Completely. Someone was definitely guiding her behind the scenes.
“Madam Summer? Claudia reminded her gently.
Summer hurried to force a smile, pretending to look concerned. “Claudia, did someone say something to you? Everyone here knows how I’ve treated you all these years. I can’t believe you don’t trust me. It really hurts.”
“No one said anything.” Claudia gave a soft smile. “I just thought–now that kn nineteen, I should take my shares back. If they stay with Madam Summer, people might get the wrong idea. Like maybe Madam Summer wants to keep them for
herself.