Chapter 9 I Envy Her

James continued coldly, "I'm taking you home. You better stay away from that star."

Shelly couldn't believe her ears. "Brother, you've always been so dominating. I'm adult enough and I have the right to take my own life decisions."

After saying this, she opened the door of the car and quickly walked out.

James frowned while watching Shelly walk away. "She is so disobedient."

Then he turned to Julie and spoke in an accusing tone, "Did you give her pocket money again? Otherwise, she would never have dared to. I am sure she has your support behind our back."

Julie couldn't help but burst into laughter. James was taken aback by this sudden change. He asked coldly, "What are you laughing at?"

Julie smiled and said, "I only know Shelly for the past one year. How am I supposed to be an influence on her? Mr. James, if you had actually wanted to control her, you could have locked the car? You and your mother are the ones who indulge Shelly the most. I don't believe you aren't aware that she came to me for pocket money. You both are soft-hearted, even though you pretend otherwise."

"You!" Frowning, James looked at Julie and said, "So, you take this opportunity to be in her good books? You better not try to use Shelly to get close to me!"

"Use her?" Shaking her head, Julie said in a low voice, "I only envy Shelly."

She remained silent for a moment and then asked, "If there is nothing else, can I leave now?"

James answered immediately, "Do you have a reason to stay any further? Your family is all messed up! You do whatever you want even if it means competing with each other. But keep us out of all this ruckus. It would be much better if you keep in mind that you are now a part of the Leng family. So be very cautious about your public dealings. And for God's sake, no more rumors please!"

Julie cast a cold glance at James and then got out of the car.

Watching Julie leave, James sighed, "Wait, what? She just left like that?"

As Julie slowly walked away, her determined gait made James anxious. He couldn't understand the uncomfortable feeling that was gripping him, a vague sense of panic as if Julie was leaving him forever.

Julie had gone straight back to the company. Once there, she saw her secretary rushing up to her. "Manager, the chairman has been asking for you."

Julie's answer had an icy edge of determination, "Tell him to beware if he is planning to stop the board of directors. My decision is not changing."

Her secretary nodded to acknowledge in the affirmative. Bracing herself, Julie promptly walked out of the office and into the elevator, the folder in her hand. On entering, her gaze met that of a middle aged man. Ignoring him, she turned around to face the lift door.

The middle-aged man's voice boomed in the silence, "Julie, why are you being so impolite? Shouldn't you at least say hello to me first?"

This was none other than Bray, Julie's father. Her contempt for this man was evident in her tone. "Is it necessary? I have to yet understand your role in my life. Are you really my father or are you my mother's murderer?"

Bray reddened by this slight, retorted angrily, "Julie, I'd like to remind you, your mother died in a car accident. You cannot blame me for her death if the driver, who caused the accident, hasn't been found. You better mind your words. I will not allow you to get away with any such nonsense. I can sue you, without considering the fact that you are my daughter.

Julie was not going to let this man get off easily with his histrionics. She replied in a cold voice, "I will not let anyone go scot free, neither the driver nor the one who's plotted this murder. Of all places, why did this accident happen abroad? Because she was forced to jump off the building and she became immobile, bedridden. She was sent abroad for her treatment. And why would she jump off the building in the first place? Mr. Bray, you were there in the villa, when this happened. Your lover, your daughter and your son were all present at that time. Can you tell me?"

Bray took a step back as he panicked, "What are you talking about?"

Julie turned to look at Bray. She then lowered her voice, the depth of her words menacingly haunting, "I just remembered the surveillance cameras in the villa. Weren't you aware of this Mr. Bray? I never expected the computer to have retained a copy after so many years. Forget the fact that these cameras were good enough to even take those pictures."

Bray was almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown, "What did these cameras capture?"

With a sneer, Julie warned Bray, "That's for the eyes of the board of directors."

The elevator had arrived at the floor that Julie had to get down. As the doors opened, Bray immediately grabbed Julie's arm and asked with an unusual urgency in his voice, "What do you mean? What evidence do you have?"

Julie took one look at Bray and saw all his color drain off. Chuckling, she remarked, "Are you afraid, Mr. Bray? Don't worry. I will take them out only when you leave me with no option, at the end. . Why make our family a spectacle for the public to toss around? This is indeed a scandal but why would we allow our matters be discussed by strangers? I just want to regain my position as chairperson of CX Group. I'd like to see how you, Mr. Bray, will cooperate with me."

Julie shook off Bray's hand. "Mr. Bray, there is some more time before the Board Meeting gets started, Think it over."

Julie walked towards the board room as Bray watched helplessly. Frowning, he murmured, "Does she really have the evidence? This sounds far-fetched. How could this be possible? How can there be evidence? Actually..."

Bray quickly stopped himself from speaking. 'This girl must have lied to me on purpose!'

Even though he tried to console himself, the worried expression never left his face as he kept weighing all options in his mind.

Bray entered the meeting room and took his place at the head of the table, the seat of the company's chairman. He was not his usual cheerful self. His demeanor was that of worry and fear. He looked at the directors who seemed to be engrossed in their own thoughts. As he glanced around, his eyes fell on Julie, who was sitting right next to him. Julie was watching him with a faint smile, her determination written clearly on her face. That aggravated Bray further. He remained silent for more than usual.

A middle-aged officer, having a heavy build, spoke up, "Mr. Chairman, why don't you say something? We have tried to spare some time from our busy schedule, so, please speak up and let us get this done with as soon as possible. We are here to decide who will be the chairperson. In my opinion, I would want things to remain as it is. Mr. Bray here has done a good job as the chairman until now. We agree that regardless of Julie being a woman and being young, she too has proven her worth. But how can she be the chairperson?"

"Why can't a woman be the chairperson? In the present times, neither the idea of her being young must shadow our judgment nor must we make such a big deal of this outdated ideologies. She has in fact contributed more to the CX Group in the past two years than all of us combined. Besides, this group was established by Julie's grandfather. If we let Julie take over the group now, this would only mean that the group is rightfully returned to its heir," said a grey haired elderly woman.