Chapter 3 The Legal Successor

Three days passed before tension settled thickly over the boardroom at Walsh Group's headquarters.

A weary sigh escaped Nigel Walsh as he addressed the room. He sat at the head of the table in a sapphire-blue suit, wearing the expression of a man weighed down by responsibility. "Everyone here has reviewed this quarter's performance," he said. "From where I stand, the smartest move is to stop the bleeding and sell the subsidiaries that are dragging us down while we still have the chance."

By blood, Nigel was Corinna and Liam's uncle, the younger brother of their late father.

Business had never been Liam's ambition. After Corinna vanished and their parents passed away, no one remained to stand in Nigel's way, and he stepped into control of Walsh Group.

Running the company, however, proved far beyond his ability. Under his leadership, the company declined year after year. Profits shrank. Multiple subsidiaries slipped deep into losses. Eventually, unloading companies became his default answer to every crisis.

At the mention of another sale, Robert Wells, a man who had stood beside Corinna's father since the beginning, rose abruptly from his seat and struck the table with his palm. "Nigel Walsh!" he shouted. "Do you really intend to destroy everything your brother spent his life building?"

Irritation hardened Nigel's expression. "My brother is gone," he replied coldly. "Walsh Group belongs to me now."

Leaning closer to the table, he raised his voice. "If I decide we sell, then that is exactly what will happen."

Anger made Robert's breathing uneven as he prepared to fire back, but a calm female voice sliced through the tension and brought the room to a halt. "I disagree!"

Before anyone could react, the boardroom doors burst open under a forceful kick.

A formation of bodyguards dressed in black suits poured inside, silent and efficient. With trained coordination, they spread out and positioned themselves along the walls.

Only after that did she appear. The sharp sound of stilettos echoed across the floor as she walked in at an unhurried pace. A tailored red dress traced her figure, her long hair swept neatly back, and dark sunglasses concealed her eyes. What remained visible was an elegant nose and lips tinted a deep rose.

Power followed her every step, blending striking beauty with unmistakable authority.

Whispers traveled quickly around the table.

"Who is she?"

"How did she get past security?"

Fury exploded across Nigel's face as he slammed his palm down. "Who the hell do you think you are? Where's the security? Get her out of here. Now!"

With an unhurried motion, the woman raised her hand and slid her sunglasses off. Clear, piercing eyes locked onto Nigel as a faint smile touched her lips. "Uncle Nigel, do I really look that unfamiliar to you?" she asked lightly.

Shock stiffened Nigel's body. His eyes widened, and his hands began to shake. "You-you're still alive?"

Years ago, he had orchestrated the kidnapping and the explosion. She was never meant to survive.

A chill crept into Corinna's smile. "Were you hoping I wouldn't be?"

Forcing air into his lungs, Nigel struggled to regain control. "No. I was just... caught off guard," he said stiffly.

Calm yet dangerous, Corinna shifted her gaze toward the table. "I heard you discussing the sale of my parents' subsidiaries."

Another sigh escaped him. "Those companies have been hemorrhaging money for years. Selling them would stabilize our finances. Everything I've done is for Walsh Group's benefit."

A sharp gleam flashed through Corinna's eyes. "My parents built this company into something strong and profitable. So explain to me why it began to rot the moment you took control."

Color drained from Nigel's face.

Before he could retort, Corinna spoke with quiet authority. "If you are incapable of running it, then step aside and give it back to me." Her smile remained soft, but her voice carried unshakable resolve. "I will succeed where you failed."

Rage burst out of Nigel as he slammed his fist against the table. "What could you possibly understand about managing a corporation? I've sacrificed everything for Walsh Group. Everyone sitting here knows exactly how much I've given. And now you suddenly appear and think you can force me out? Keep dreaming!"

A quiet, scornful chuckle slipped from Corinna. "So this is what you call contribution?" she asked coldly.

Behind him, the massive LED screen flickered to life, and years of concealed misconduct filled the display in stark detail.

"Sixty million siphoned from company accounts for your personal use," Corinna said, her tone precise and unforgiving. She continued without pause, "Nepotistic hires. Illicit kickbacks approved under your watch. Inferior materials were swapped in to cut costs, followed by endless customer complaints. And throughout your tenure, profits collapsed year after year." Her eyes were fixed on him. "Is this what you mean by sacrificing everything for Walsh Group?"

Business had never been Liam's priority. His only focus had been on finding his missing sister, which was why he allowed Nigel to run the company without interference.

The moment Corinna stepped back into this world, she sensed that something was wrong. She quietly contacted her network and began uncovering Nigel's history. Within three days, the truth lay fully exposed.

Once her words landed, chaos erupted throughout the boardroom.

"No wonder those subsidiaries keep losing money. So this is what you've really been doing!"

Another shareholder leaned forward, anger sharp in his tone. "Our dividends have fallen year after year because you were filling your own pockets," he said. "That money should have gone to all of us, yet you spent it on yourself. How do you even dare to claim this was for the company?"

Under the pressure, Nigel's calm finally shattered. He tried to steady his expression, but fear had already crept into his voice. "This is all fabricated! Every bit of it is fake. She planted these lies."

Turning sharply, he pointed at Corinna. "Corinna, I'm your uncle. How could you accuse your own family like this?"

Not a single change crossed her face. Corinna answered with a voice that was cold, precise, and unforgiving, "The proof of your embezzlement, along with evidence tied to what happened to my parents and to me, has already been submitted to the authorities. Whether it is slander or not will be decided by the police."

Holding his gaze without flinching, she continued, "You can keep shouting here if you want, or you can surrender yourself. That is the only choice that might lessen what comes next."

Desperation drove Nigel forward as he planted both hands on the table, his eyes burning with panic. "I did nothing wrong! All of this is slander!"

Panic pushed his voice into a shrill pitch. "You're setting me up because you want my position. You want the CEO chair!"

An indifferent look met his accusation. Corinna responded with nothing more than a glance before raising her hand in a relaxed motion. At once, her bodyguards stepped forward. They gripped Nigel's arms and yanked him to his feet, dragging him toward the exit.

"Release me! I'm the CEO!" he shouted, thrashing wildly.

Unmoved by his struggle, the guards continued without pause. They pulled him from the boardroom, and his shouting echoed down the corridor until the doors closed and silence settled at last.

Only after that did Corinna move to the seat at the head of the table. She lifted her eyes and surveyed the board members one by one, her demeanor composed and authoritative. "This company was built by my parents," she said evenly. "As their legal successor, all of their shares belong to me, which makes me the largest shareholder of Walsh Group."

After a measured pause, she delivered the final word. "Effective immediately, I will be assuming full control of the company."