Chapter 54
He asked her, “What’s wrong? You look pale p>
Seren wasn’t used to sharing her feelings with others. She forced a small smile.
“I’m fine. I’ll head out first. When you leave the studio, could you lock up for me?” She headed downstairs from The Antiquarian’s Gallery.
Seren called Lennon, her voice calm. “Don’t wait for me for dinner tonight. I need to stop by home p>
“What’s going on?” Lennon picked up on her mood in an instant.
She hesitated. “My mom asked me to come home. It’s nothing p>
She thought back to what Lennon had said the night before, and after a moment’s consideration, decided to tell him about the agreement.
Lennon was nothing like Seth.
“Do you want me to go with you?” he offered.
“No, you take care of your things. I think she just wants me to sign some paperwork p>
She could hear the noise around Lennon-he was probably busy.
Lennon paused, clearly torn, but in the end agreed.
“All right. Call me if you need anything p>
After hanging up, Seren caught a cab out to The Mountain Retreat.
The Mountain Retreat was an upscale neighborhood on the outskirts of Seaside City.
Seren rarely came back to the house, but the staff still recognized her and let her in right away.
She hadn’t even reached the foyer when she heard Carla’s syrupy, childish voice whining,
“Mom, why did Grandpa leave five percent of the company shares to my sister and not to me? I’m his granddaughter too! How could he be so unfair p>
“You silly girl, what are you talking about? Your grandpa has always loved you p>
Zena’s tone was gentle, almost doting.
A picture-perfect mother and daughter.
Seren lowered her gaze. She was used to this.
Zena was always distant with her, but with Carla, her voice was soft and full of affection.
“But, in this case, your grandfather was a little biased,” Zena continued, her tone indulgent. “He gave those shares only to Seren, not you, Swain, or Slater p>
“Grandpa’s always been fair. He probably only gave them to Seren because she shamelessly asked for them. She’s always been manipulative-always trying to get her way p>
Seren let out a sharp laugh and strode straight into the foyer.
Her voice rang out, clear and cool, “I never asked Grandpa for anything. He gave them to me of his own accord p>
In the past, she might have waited outside for a while, tried to save face for both of them.
Now, she didn’t see the point.
If they were going to tear off the masks, why should she bother pretending?
“Ever since you married into the Crestwell family, you’ve gotten a lot bolder,” Zena remarked with a cold glance as Seren stepped inside.
Zena was a formidable businesswoman-her moods rarely showed.
She curled her lips, her expression indifferent.
“Actually, this is perfect timing. Those shares were left for you by your grandfather, but now that
the Crestwelk
family the wealthiest
you’re married into family in net
Seaside City-you hardly need those shares anymore. Carla isn’t married yet. Why not let her have them for her dowry p>
Carla’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Thank you, Mom! You’re the best p>
She shot Seren a smug, challenging look.
Seren’s voice was icy. “Grandpa left those shares to me. Why should I give them to Carla? I won’t p>
Truthfully, Seren had already guessed this might happen before coming here.
But a small part of her had still held out hope for Zena.
Now that hope was well and truly dead.
“I’m not asking for your permission,” Zena replied coolly.
“Rutledge Group may have been built by Old Mr. Rutledge, but if your father and hadn’t stepped in tol save it it wouldn’t even exist today The company isn’t what it used to be, and your grandfather’s old agreements don’t matter anymore p>
“You didn’t even bother telling us you were getting married, so clearly family doesn’t mean much to you. If that’s how you feel, why cling so tightly to that five percent p>
Zena’s anger simmered beneath her calm exterior. Seren hadn’t even told her own mother about something as important as her marriage-it was an affront Zena couldn’t forgive.
She’d never been happy about the idea of giving Seren, the ungrateful daughter, any share in the company she’d worked so hard to build.
This was the perfect excuse to take those shares back.
Let Seren see there were consequences.
Of course, Zena had planned this all along. When she’d had the lawyers draw up the agreement, she’d made sure it didn’t specify Seren’s name just ” Mr. Rutledges granddaughter.
Her father couldn’t read the fine print, so she was the only one who knew.
And Carla was also his granddaughter. Transferring those shares to her now was
easy.
She didn’t need Seren’s consent at all.