Chapter 55
“Oh, go ahead and decide whatever you want. You only called me over to go through the motions anyway. Whether I agree or not, you’ll tell the family—and Granddad-that I was the one who gave up my shares p>
Seren’s voice was flat and emotionless.
Carla tried to smooth things over, blinking her wide, innocent eyes. “Sis, maybe don’t talk back to Mom, okay p>
But Seren had already laid bare the very thing Zena was trying so hard to hide.
Zena had always cared about appearances, but now her own daughter was tearing down that façade in front of everyone.
Hearing Carla jump in only made Zena angrier. She jabbed her finger at Seren’s face and snapped, “You have no respect for your elders! How dare you p>
“I’m only telling the truth,” Seren replied coolly, refusing to back down. She’d never tolerated scolding for faults that weren’t hers, especially when the accusations were made up to begin with.
Lips pressed together, eyes clear and unwavering, she stood her ground with quiet defiance.
A fleeting smirk flickered in Carla’s eyes. What’s the use of being so proud, she seemed to think. In the end, you’ll have to bow your head and give in like everyone else.
Just then, a deep, commanding voice cut through the tension. “The one being disrespectful here is you p>
From the entryway, Old Mr. Rutledge strode in, dressed in his usual black sweats and walking with surprising vigor for a man his age.
Zena blinked, taken aback. “Dad? What are you doing here p>
He let out a low scoff. “Am I not allowed to come to my own house p>
He made his way to the living room and settled into his favorite armchair, fixing Zena with a piercing stare. “If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have seen how you treat your own father! Did I not make myself clear all those years ago? Those shares are for Seren-no one else. Not even you p>
His meaning couldn’t have been plainer: he was taking Seren’s side.
Seren felt her eyes sting with emotion. She’d always known her grandfather had a soft spot for her.
That was why she hadn’t let Lennon come today. In public, she wanted to give Zena at least some dignity-for Granddad’s sake if nothing else.
Carla’s expression didn’t change, but her hands, properly folded in her lap, tightened until her nails dug into her palm.
Zena’s face was tight with
humiliation, but she kept quiet, knowing she was in the wrong. She shot Seren a sideways glare, already convinced that her daughter must have called Old M. Rutledgefiere deliberately.
Seren had always been like this-never focused on what mattered, always looking for shortcuts or sneaky ways to get ahead.
“Granddad. Rutledge Group isn’t your company anymore. I don’t want those shares p>
Seren’s pride was unshakable.
Zena wasn’t wrong: the company
had survived only because she and her husband had fought tooth and nail to keep it afloat. It wasn’t Old Mr. Rutledge’s company anymore; it belonged to Zena and her husband now. Seren had no interest in taking what wasn’t hers.
Zena looked momentarily stunned.
It was one thing to forcefully reclaim the shares as a punishment for Seren. Now
that Seren didn’t want them at all, it was something else entirely.
Her expression hardened.
Carla had been right-Seren was clearly trying to draw a line and cut herself off from them.
Disgust churned in Zena’s heart. How did she end up raising such an ungrateful child?
But Old Mr. Rutledge would never accept Seren refusing the shares.
Years ago, Zeha had sacrificed
Seren’s childhood and happiness to secure the company’s
transformation and survival. Even if Zena and her husband had saved Rutledge Group, that five percent betonged to Seren-old Mr Rutledge had always meant it that way out of all his children and grandchildren, only Seren was owed something.
He didn’t say any of this out loud, though. It would only make things worse, giving Zena more reasons to resent Seren.
Zena and her husband had always been biased against Seren. Even if they knew deep down that they owed her, they’d never admit it. They’d always find a way to justify themselves.