Chapter 8: Reclaiming the Shares

Ariella didn't think too much. She knew that her parents never had a kind word for her. She was not returning to show weakness. She was there to demand her money. Knowing they would never give her a warm reception, she asked Kingston to stay in the car. She did not want him dragged down by her family or forced to start his morning listening to their venomous insults.

After closing the car door, Ariella walked straight into the Ellerker family's manor. Kingston watched her retreating figure for a moment, then quietly stepped out of the vehicle to follow her from a distance.

Inside the dining room, Robert and Katrina were eating breakfast. The atmosphere was heavy.

"It has been one stroke of bad luck after another lately," Robert grumbled. He looked haggard, his face pale from a night of restless sleep. "The contract with Hexagon Investments was practically a done deal. We were one step away from signing, and then that mysterious CEO suddenly canceled everything."

"Robert, do you think we somehow offended the head of Hexagon Investments?" Katrina asked, her voice trembling with anxiety.

"Impossible!" Robert snapped. "A figure of that stature lived abroad for years and only moved the headquarters to South Covand a year ago. I don't even know if the person is a man or a woman, young or old. All our dealings go through secretaries and assistants. Even if I wanted to offend them, I wouldn't know where to find them."

He sighed deeply, rubbing his temples. "We will have to wait until Patrick arrives. He has many connections. I will have him look into it for me."

Katrina sneered, her eyes flashing with resentment. "It is because that jinx was released from prison. She brings us bad luck. I just hope Esther and Patrick can get married soon to bring some good fortune back to this house."

A maid stepped forward, interrupting them. "Sir, Madam, Miss Ellerker is here."

When he heard his disgraceful daughter had returned, Robert's lips curled into a cold, knowing smirk. He had expected her to come crawling back.

"What now? Regretting your choices already?" Robert shouted as Ariella entered. "You thought escaping would be easy, but getting back into this house won't be as simple. Get outside and kneel. Stay there until I am satisfied!"

He was convinced his wife was right. This jinx had cost him a multi-million dollar project over the span of a single night.

"Father, I am not here because I regret anything," Ariella said, standing tall. Despite her frail frame, her beautiful eyes were cold as frost, possessing a commanding presence that made it impossible to look away. "I am here to take back what belongs to me."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Katrina shrieked, jumping to her feet. "What could you possibly have in this house? Three years ago, I threw everything in your room into the trash. It's Esther's dance studio now!"

Katrina pointed a finger at her. "Now that you've married some penniless nobody, you think you can scavenge money from your family? In your dreams! If you were smart, you would divorce that stray and marry Mr. Carswell. If you do that, I might consider giving you a small dowry. Otherwise, you won't get a single cent!"

Ariella didn't bother arguing with the woman. She turned her clear, steady gaze toward Robert.

"Five years ago, before Grandpa passed away, he left a will," Ariella stated firmly. "It stipulated that upon my marriage, twenty percent of the shares in Keystone Pharmaceuticals would belong to me. Previously, I was still the daughter of the Ellerker family, so I did not press you for them. But now, I have started my own family. Those shares must be transferred to me."

"Good Lord! How can you be so shameless?" Katrina felt her blood pressure spike. Even two percent would feel like cutting off her own flesh, let alone twenty. "We raised you, we fed you—is this how you repay us?"

"Mother, when will you realize that you are the shameless ones?" Ariella replied, her voice cutting through the air. "You are the ones who tried to sell your daughter for your own gain. Me taking back my shares is both lawful and legitimate."