Kelly said anxiously, “She must’ve picked up that earring! Thomas, you can’t believe a word that liar says!”Â
If Thomas refused to help her, she was doomed. Right now, he was her only hope.Â
Thomas’s tone remained calm. “What you said might be true. But I’ll need some time to investigate. For now, we shouldn’t contact each other. If I’ve wronged you, I’ll make it up to you later.”Â
Before Kelly could say another word, the line went dead.Â
She stared at her phone, her teeth grinding with rage. If Johanna hadn’t ruined everything, her fake pregnancy plan–handled properly with Thomas’s help–might have gone off without a hitch. She could have marriedÂ
Carter.Â
But now, because of Johanna’s interference, all her efforts had gone up in smoke.Â
If only… If Johanna were gone, wouldn’t everything fall neatly back into place?Â
The thought sent a dark, icy gleam flickering through Kelly’s eyes.Â
To live like a rat in the shadows–she would rather die than endure that humiliation. If getting Thomas’s full support meant taking a risk, then so be it. It would be worth it.Â
Once he completely believed she was the one he had been looking for all these years, he would protect her at allÂ
costs.Â
Soon, the day came for Sharon to officially start working at the Kalen Group. Coincidentally, it was also the day Victoria joined the company.Â
Losing her hair and eyebrows hadn’t shaken Victoria’s composure in the slightest.Â
Hair could be replaced with a wig. Eyebrows could be restored with implants. As for her hand… she couldn’t careÂ
less.Â
Even if it were permanently damaged, she wouldn’t be too upset.Â
After all, both her beauty and her talents were merely tools–means to achieve her goals. As long as she got what she wanted, no price was too high.Â
Pain, once endured, was just something to forget.Â
On the night before Sharon and Victoria officially joined the Kalen Group, Richard gathered the family for a small meeting.Â
He said, “You’re all my children. From the beginning, I’ve made it clear–there’s no favoritism here, no preference for sons over daughters. I promote based on merit.Â
“The shares you’ve been given are distributed equally. As for the extra five percent for Victoria, that’s compensation–something agreed upon long ago. I trust no one objects?” 1Â
1/2Â
Silas shot Sharon a warning glance. “No objections.”Â
Richard nodded and took out a document.Â
“This is the ten percent share that belongs to you, Sharon. Take it.”Â
Sharon didn’t refuse. She accepted it with a gentle smile. “Thank you, Dad.”Â
This share transfer had been promised long before she returned to the Kalen family. Now that she was back, Richard had to honor his word–both out of fairness and as a father keeping his promise.Â
The others had known about it for some time and raised no complaint.Â
Richard continued, “Since both of you are just joining Kalen Group, you’ll start by managing smallerÂ
subsidiaries first. Once you’ve gained experience, you can move into senior positions.Â
“When Rick, Silas and Scott first entered the company, they went through the same process. Victoria, Sharon- no objections?”Â
Both women shook their heads.Â
Rick handed them each a file. “These are the companies available for you to manage. Take a look.”Â
The moment Victoria received her file, Silas and Scott leaned in, eager to offer their advice.Â
Seeing that, Richard turned to Sharon. “Sharon, if you’re unsure about anything, you can ask Rick for guidance. Back in the day, he pulled off a complete turnaround and made a name for himself with just one project.” 1Â
XÂ