Chapter 4 Company Shares

"You actually got married?!"

Maddie sprang from the sofa, snatching the marriage certificate from Kiera's grip. Relief flickered across her face when she realized the groom wasn't Brad, but confusion quickly clouded it. "Who on earth is this man?"

Kiera scowled, reclaiming the paper with a swift tug. "That's none of your concern. The important thing is that I'm married now. Uncle Vance, it's time you make good on your word and hand over the company shares."

The Gordon Group had once been the brainchild of Kiera's mother, built from the ground up. Long ago, Julia Gordon, Kiera's mom, had drawn up a contract stating that once Kiera married, she would inherit twenty percent of the company as her wedding gift.

But tragedy struck when Kiera was only eight. Julia's breakdown led to her confinement in a psychiatric hospital, leaving her younger brother Vance as Kiera's guardian. He seized control of everything-Julia's assets, the Gordon Group, even this very house-transferring it all into his own name.

Vance once swore that he would uphold his sister's promise on Kiera's wedding day.

Now that Kiera demanded it, the air inside the room turned heavy.

Maddie curled her lip. "No one here has even seen this husband of yours. What proof do we have that this isn't just some fake document you downloaded online?"

Kiera barked out a laugh. "Do you think everyone is as pathetic as you? Like when you failed half your exams in college and faked a transcript to trick your parents? Don't worry, I'd never stoop to your level."

Maddie's face went red, her secret exposed.

Before Maddie could say anything, Kiera extended the document toward Vance. "If my word isn't enough, go confirm it yourself."

Vance kept turning the paper in his hands, his jaw stiff as stone. "Naturally, I want to believe you, but..."

Kiera's eyes hardened. "But what?"

Before he could respond, Ivy Gordon, Vance's wife, hurried forward and clasped Kiera's hand. "You've been gone from this house for years, Kiera, and you've never managed a company. If we hand you twenty percent of shares immediately, people will object. The firm is already on shaky ground, and investors are watching every move. If this leaks-"

A cutting laugh slipped from Kiera as she jerked her hand back. "So this is how you twist it. A promise broken with excuses."

Ivy's voice softened, practiced sweetness dripping from her words. "No, of course not. It's just about understanding the strain we're under-"

"Tell me, why would I give a damn about your strain?"

Her hand slipped from Ivy's grip as her tone turned cold enough to bite. "Have you all forgotten how many times my mom gave her all to help you guys when you needed it? Then once she got sick, you stripped her of the company and took this house too. And I stayed silent because you were the one keeping her alive with those hospital payments."

Her eyes hardened as she added, "Now you think you can rip away everything that rightfully belongs to me. If that's your plan, then maybe the public should hear the truth. Let them decide who's right."

The words sucked the air from the room. Vance's and Ivy's smiles stiffened, their confidence faltering.

Everyone in the Gordon Group knew another round of financing was about to launch. A scandal now would be poison, and investors would all leave.

With a forced grin, Vance tried to recover. "You've got it all wrong, Kiera. That's not what I meant. Try to consider what I'm trying to say-my daughter Rachel has spent years at the company and only has five percent. Maddie has nothing. And you expect twenty percent overnight? People will never accept it."

Kiera reached for her phone, ready to dial a journalist at any moment.

The vein in Vance's temple throbbed before he forced the words out, heavy as stone. "Fine. Join the company. Show everyone what you can do. If you prove your worth, I'll transfer the shares. No one will have grounds to protest."

She saw through his attempt to buy time, but pushing too hard now could ruin everything. Waiting might be her best shot at winning.

"Alright."

Relief poured from Vance as he let out a long breath. "That settles it. Be at the office next Monday. For now, the chef's not in, so we won't keep you for dinner."

With no interest in small talk, Kiera turned around and headed for the door.

Maddie's lips twisted into a sulky pout once Kiera was gone. "Dad, why would you let her into the company? I should be there, not her!"

Flicking her daughter's forehead, Ivy replied, "That cousin of yours doesn't have the faintest clue what she's doing. Letting her in will only eat up her own time. What matters is that you use this chance to keep Brad hooked on you."

The day Kiera boarded her flight overseas, Ivy and Vance turned their attention to Brad. Having the backing of Brieledo's most influential family made Brad the ultimate target. Winning him would push the Gordon Group into a new league.

At her parents' urging, Maddie had copied Kiera's style, matching everything from her wardrobe to the way she carried herself. The plan had worked. Brad noticed.

The thought of him sent heat rushing into Maddie's cheeks. She bounded up the stairs, eager to call Brad and spill the news that Kiera was already married-proof that her cousin was careless and shameless to the core.

Meanwhile, Ivy's smile faltered as worry crept in. "What if Kiera actually manages to pull it off at the company?"

Vance let out a dismissive laugh. "You forget how sick she was. She's out of her depth. What could she possibly achieve? I'll throw enough trouble in her way that she'll mess up before the week is out. And when she does, not a single board member will support giving her twenty percent."

Twenty percent would normally guarantee a seat at the table and a voice in every major decision. But who would ever cast a vote for someone like her?

Ivy closed the distance, her fingertip pressing against his chest as a playful sneer curved her lips. "Clever little fox, aren't you?"

Vance caught her hand in his, and their eyes met before both of them broke into sly, triumphant smiles.