Chapter 56
He looked at Seren and let out a weary sigh. “You silly child. If something rightfully belongs to you, then it’s yours. Why give it up?
If you just let it go, you’re handing it over on a silver platter to those shameless enough to snatch things that aren’t theirs p>
Old Mr. Rutledge finished his words, his gaze sliding to Carla with unmistakable meaning in his eyes.
He was old, but far from senile. Situations like this never happened without cause -someone had clearly been stirring the pot behind the scenes.
And finding out who that was? Simple. Whoever stood to benefit most was the one pulling the strings.
Old Mr. Rutledge had never liked Carla, not even as a child. Her shifty eyes and calculating nature were nothing like Seren’s straightforward honesty.
After decades in business, Old Mr. Rutledge had seen all kinds of people and had long since learned to tell right from wrong. In his view, scheming against outsiders was, at worst, dishonorable. But plotting against your own family? That was sheer moral bankruptcy.
People like that had no limits. They’d step on their own flesh and blood to climb higher, using any means necessary to get what they wanted. Maybe they’d even achieve great things, but only by trampling others along the way.
To them, friends and family were nothing but tools to use and discard. That, in his eyes, made Carla a true wolf in sheep’s clothing.
For now, she still needed the Bradley family-she hadn’t dared show her true colors. But he could see right through her.
Carla felt the weight of Old Mr. Rutledge’s sharp gaze and involuntarily shrank away.
A jolt of panic shot through her: Had he figured something out?
At last, Old Mr. Rutledge spoke with finality, his words ringing in the room.
“As long as I’m here, not a single share of Rutledge Group’s five percent will be taken from Seren p>
With that, he gestured for Zena to join him in the study.
Seren, unwilling to remain in the same room as Carla, turned and left.
She’d barely reached the landing when Carla caught up, blocking her path.
They were alone in the corridor.
Carla wore a white dress and
matching cardigan, her bangs neatly trimmed, lashes fluttering as ske smiled two dimples softening her face-sweetness itself.
But her voice was icy. “You’ve gotten clever, haven’t you, big sister? Running off to call for backup now.
No wonder even secondhand goods like you-who no one else wanted-still managed to marry into the Crestwell family p>
Seren looked up, her gaze steady. “So you’re dropping the act now p>
Carla’s lips curled into a smile, her face a picture of innocence, but there was a mocking edge beneath it. “Dropping the act? Aren’t you doing the same?
to
Seren raised an eyebrow, studying Carla for a long moment. Then, suddenly, she slapped her.
The sharp sound echoed down the corridor.
Seren calmly wiped her hand with a tissue, her tone almost casual. “You’re right.
No more pretending. I’ve wanted to hit you for a long time p>
She’d nearly done it at Carla’s birthday dinner. Today, she’d finally gotten her wish.
The satisfaction was immediate and immense a weight lifted from her heart No more tiptoeing around Carla’s fake sweetness, no more swallowing her anger.
Carla clutched the stinging side of her face. “You actually hit me p>
“Why wouldn’t I?” Seren shrugged. “Worst that happens, Mom, Dad, and the boys find out and think less of me p>
She shrugged again, unbothered. “But they already do, whether I hit you or not. At least this way, I get some satisfaction. Seems fair p>
If the outcome was going to be the same, she might as well vent her anger.
Carla was stunned. Was this really the same Seren she’d always looked down on?
A thin silver necklace hung around Carla’s neck, polished to a near-mirror shine- clearly cared for.
Seren’s gaze settled on it, her words slow and deliberate. “I wonder… do Mom and Dad know you’re dating the son of Rutledge Group’s biggest rival p>
All color drained from Carla’s face.