Chapter 12
“Since none of you have anything to say, it’s my turn now! Gentlemen of the Sinclair family,” I declared before the assembled crowd, my voice cutting through the tense silence, “since you’ve made it abundantly clear how little regard you have for me, let me take this opportunity to sever all ties with you publicly.”
“From this moment forward, I, Emily Sinclair shares no connection whatsoever with the Sinclair family! But Catherine’s belongings will not remain in the hands of her murderers!”
With a signal to my bodyguards, they produced the detailed inventory of Catherine’s estate.
Pointing at the emerald bracelet adorning Victoria’s wrist, I announced, “This was my maternal grandmother’s heirloom, passed down to Catherine–and rightfully mine by inheritance!”
My finger then shifted to the necklace around Isabella’s throat. “This was Catherine’s final gift to me, prepared before her death for my coming–of–age celebration. Shouldn’t you return that as well? And this… and this…”
One by one, I identified every stolen treasure they’d pilfered from Catherine’s legacy.
The four members of the Sinclair family turned ashen.
“Every single item on this list must be returned without exception. Otherwise,” I smiled coldly, “I’ll have no choice but to sue Victoria and Isabella for misappropriation of property.”
Isabella burst into theatrical tears, clutching Benjamin’s arm. “Benjamin! I’ve already gifted many of these items to friends! How could I possibly retrieve them now?”
Benjamin’s anger flared. “Emily, must you be so deliberately difficult?”
My expression remained impassive. “Let’s make a deal, Benjamin. I still hold 10% of Sinclair Group’s shares. I’ll exchange them for all of mother’s belongings—including the portion she left for you.”
11
I would never allow Benjamin to use our mother’s treasures to curry favor with those poisonous women!
The mention of 10% shares–the very stake Richard had coveted for a decade–immediately shattered any pretense of decorum.
“You’re serious?” he demanded, barely concealing his eagerness.
I nodded. “But if I discover even one item remaining in Victoria or Isabella’s possession, I’ll sell those shares to the Carter family instead.” “Done!” Richard agreed without hesitation.
Not only did I successfully formalize the severance agreement, but I also reclaimed ownership of every last heirloom.
Benjamin regarded me with complicated emotions. “Those shares are worth a fortune. Are you certain about this?”
“I have no interest in Sinclair Group’s blood money. But I refuse to let Catherine’s legacy be defiled by her killers under the pretense of legality!”
! produced the severance document bearing Richard’s signature and pushed it toward him. “Your turn to sign.”
Benjamin’s gaze burned into me. “I won’t.”
I raised my still–bleeding hands. “What right do you have to refuse? Do you actually believe you still qualify as my brother? Or perhaps you’d prefer me to remain under the same roof as Isabella–to give me more opportunities to beat her senseless?”
Leaning closer, I whispered venomously, “Listen well, Benjamin. As long as I draw breath, I will find a way to destroy your beloved stepmother and precious stepsister.”
From this moment onward, no connection remained between me and the Sinclair family.
Not even the right to weep at my grave!
“Oh, one more thing,” I added cheerfully, “Since today is Isabella’s birthday, and you all demanded both a gift and an apology… I’ve prepared something special!”
With dramatic flourish, I revealed the “present” retrieved from my bank vault.
The massive screens lit up, playing a series of video clips.
When the footage came into focus, Richard and Victoria turned hysterical.
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