Chapter 144
12:13 Tue 3 Jun & D
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Silvia bit her lip hard , tears silently streaming down her face .
She knew she could never again live peacefully as her parents ‘ cherished daughter .
Zoe gasped for air, her chest heaving as she collapsed to the floor . When Logan tried to help her up , she shoved him away and crawled over to grab Alice by the collar .
She roared , “ I treated your daughter so well ! Why did you have to hurt mine ? Why ? ”
Alice pushed her off with a sneer , her eyes full of mockery . “ She’s back now , isn’t she ? But did you treat her any better ? You’re no different from me .”
Zoe froze in place . It was true . She hadn’t treated Aria well , either .
She had always resented Aria for being so quiet , unlike Silvia’s liveliness , and had kept her at arm’s length .
When Aria was falsely accused by the Marshall family , she didn’t believe her .
When Joseph wanted to cut ties , she just stood by and let it happen .
And when Alice came to reveal the baby swap , a part of her had doubted it , thinking her daughter should have been as obedient and sweet as Silvia .
It was her own hands that had pushed Aria away , time and time again . ‘ Oh lord , what have I done to my own daughter ? ‘
Zoe collapsed to her knees , her shoulders shaking uncontrollably as heart – wrenching sobs tore through her .
Logan placed a hand on her trembling shoulder. “ Zayne , get this woman out of here . ”
“ Understood , ” Zayne replied .
The security guards dragged Alice out as she screamed curses , wishing the Saxon family nothing but misery .
The living room finally fell silent . Only Zoe’s muffled sobs remained , each one a haunting echo of the pain she had caused .
Joseph closed his eyes and let out a long sigh . “ I should’ve handled this better . Back then , I should’ve done
my
homework . ”
Thinking about it , her reserved personality must’ve been shaped by everything she went through .
As her grandfather , he should’ve been more patient and understanding .
Joseph announced , “ Bring Aria back ! I’ll give her an extra 2 % of the shares . Consider it compensation for neglecting her these past two years . ”
“ Dad , come on ! ” Luke cut in sharply . “ Aria doesn’t strike me as someone who’s been shortchanged . If you hand her that much as the rest of the family supposed to think ? ”
He scoffed . ‘ If she really had it so rough growing up , how’d she turn out like this ? They’re all exaggerating things . ‘
Silvia hesitated before speaking softly , “ Grandpa , the 2 % you gave me … I can transfer it to Aria . ”
It was Aria’s to begin with . If she could return it , she wouldn’t feel so guilty .
She didn’t need anything else . She just wanted to stay in this family .
Luke said , “ Silvia , Aria already has 4 % . You only have 2 % . How could she possibly take your shares ? ”
Logan frowned , his tone icy . “ This is our business , Luke . Stay out of it. ”
compensation , what’s
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Luke shot to his feet , his face dark with anger . “ So , you’re planning to hand over Silvia’s shares to Aria ? What’s next , the whole company ?
“ Excuse me , can I interrupt for a second ? ” Derek’s voice cut through the tension as he looked at them with mock confusion . “ You’re all losing your minds over 2 % of shares , huh ? Seriously ? Is it even worth the drama ?
“ Did Aria ever say she wanted shares from the Saxon Group ? ”
Luke snapped back , “ If she didn’t want them , why did she trick your grandfather into giving her 4 % ? ”
Caleb sneered , his tone dripping with sarcasm . “ Those 4 % were exchanged for shares from the Cole Group . Uncle Luke , did you forget ? Or is your memory slipping ? ”
Ever since Aria came back , every word he said was met with a rebuttal from Logan’s branch .
All that about family harmony was nothing but a joke .
Luke sighed , “ Fine , fine , I’m the bad guy here . You’re all saints . Just don’t touch Dad’s or Silvia’s shares , and do whatever you want .”
Derek leaned back , a smirk playing on his lips . It all made sense . Luke was the biggest troublemaker in this family .
He snorted , “ Relax , Uncle Luke . Aria’s the biggest shareholder in the Stars Group . She wouldn’t care less about your 2 % . ”
The living room fell silent for a moment .
Luke blurted out in shock , “ What ? ”
Aria was the largest shareholder of the Stars Group ? That must be a joke !
AD