Chapter 7 7

The black Maybach crunched over the gravel driveway and stopped in front of Sinclair Manor.

Scarlett stepped out. She looked up at the massive, two-hundred-year-old Gothic estate. It felt like a tomb.

The heavy front doors swung open. Giles Mccray, her distant cousin, walked out onto the porch. He wore a perfectly tailored tweed three-piece suit. A warm, gentle smile was plastered across his face.

"Scarlett," Giles said softly. "How was your first day back? I hope the other students weren't too harsh on you."

He sounded exactly like a concerned older brother.

Scarlett's eyes narrowed slightly. She noticed where he was standing. He was positioned dead center on the top step-the spot reserved strictly for the head of the family.

She didn't say a word. She walked up the stairs, her heels clicking sharply against the marble.

Giles stepped aside to let her pass. The moment her back was to him, the warm smile vanished. His eyes turned cold and venomous.

Dinner was served in the main dining room. The long mahogany table felt empty with only the three of them sitting at it.

William Sinclair III cut into his meat. He cleared his throat. The sound was loud in the quiet room.

"Scarlett," William said, not looking up from his plate. "The board of directors is concerned. Your erratic behavior over the last three years has caused significant instability."

He took a sip of wine. "I have decided to temporarily transfer proxy control of your voting shares to Giles."

Giles immediately put his fork down. He looked shocked. "Uncle William, no. I couldn't possibly. I don't have the experience to manage her shares."

William waved his hand dismissively. "You've been the only stable force in this family, Giles. It's settled."

Scarlett picked up her heavy crystal water glass. She slammed it down onto the mahogany table.

The loud thud made William jump.

Scarlett stared directly at her father. "Are you going senile, or are you just blind? You are handing the keys to our house to a thief."

William slammed his hand on the table. "Watch your mouth! You have done nothing but drag this family through the mud!"

Giles leaned forward, placing a comforting hand on William's arm. "Please, Uncle, your blood pressure. Scarlett is just upset. She doesn't mean it."

Scarlett pushed her chair back and stood up. She planted her hands on the table and leaned over, looking down at the two of them.

"Listen to me very carefully," Scarlett said, her voice dropping to a freezing register. "What is mine belongs to me. If anyone tries to touch so much as a speck of dust on my shares, I will bury them."

She turned and walked out of the dining room.

She reached the top of the dark, second-floor landing. Footsteps hurried up the stairs behind her.

Giles caught up to her. The hallway was dimly lit. The mask of the perfect gentleman was completely gone.

He stepped close to her. His voice was a wet, dangerous hiss. "Don't play tough with me, you stupid girl. I already control half the executives in the company. You are nothing."

Scarlett spun around. Her hand shot out and grabbed the knot of his expensive tie. She shoved him backward with brutal force.

Giles slammed into the wall. A sharp grunt escaped his lips.

Scarlett pulled a silver letter opener from her pocket. She had taken it from her father's desk earlier. She pressed the cold, sharp blade directly against his carotid artery.

Giles froze. His pupils dilated in pure terror. He felt the sting of the metal against his skin. He could feel the faint, steady pulse of his own life beating against the edge of the blade.

Scarlett leaned into his ear. "If you ever try to touch my equity again," she whispered, her voice like a snake sliding over glass, "I will cut your throat myself."

She pulled the blade away and walked down the hall, leaving Giles trembling in the dark.