Page 121 of Take Her from You

“No, and she isn’t on the board either. You said she owned her own home, so perhaps he felt she was already provided for.”

“Do we know what the business is worth? With all the evasion, I’m almost certain they’re lying about that, too.”

Scarlet lifted her gaze. “They didn’t include the asset report, which is frustrating, but at least we now know which solicitor firm is handling the will. My lawyers have already got in touch, and they’ll call you when they get it. My guess is it’s of significant value. Why else make all this fuss?”

I shivered, everything flipping around from what I’d believed in the past.

“There’s something else,” Scarlet continued. “If that’s correct with the three children splitting everything, the Winchesters have the majority. The two sons hold a shade over sixty-sixpercent of the business so don’t need your vote, which you have on Tobi’s behalf, for the restructuring plan to go ahead.”

“The restructure that puts the sons as Chief Exec and Chief Operating Officer and locks in profits for silent partners, like Tobi,” I concluded. While waiting, I’d tried to read the information Greg had delivered to Molly’s for me.

Something bugged me.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but it had my heart racing.

“This isn’t adding up.” Scarlet stood and paced the room, seemingly affected by the same energy as me.

“Exactly what I was just thinking. What happens if I don’t go to the meeting?” I asked.

“Presumably the vote would carry.”

“Except they’re doing everything they can to ensure I’m there.”

“True. The mother made you jump through hoops, changed dates without notice, then resorted to the basest tactic she could in threatening your daughter.”

“They changed the date again?” I asked.

“Shoot. That was on one of my messages. It’s tomorrow. No doubt to give you even less time to think this through.”

We gazed at each other.

My blood heated, anger mixing in.

“They’re scared,” I uttered. “Of what, I have no clue, but it’s real.”

The older woman nodded. “I’m inclined to agree. Interesting that the older brother didn’t show today.”

“He did, at least I think so. Valentine went to accost him outside. I’ll see if I can find out what happened.”

Scarlet waited while I texted Valentine. A short reply came, saying he’d found out nothing useful but would come by later to talk. I relayed that worrying note.

“Without further information,” Scarlet said, “it looks to me that you have a decision to make. The harder option is to call them on their bluff and ignore their demands, leaving the ball in their court.”

I sighed. “I don’t want to take the easy route of just going along with them because I know they’re acting in their favour, not ours. But if she sues me for access or custody via her sons, I can’t afford to challenge it. You’ve been so helpful and generous in giving up your time and your lawyers, but I can’t ask for more.”

Her expression morphed to one of sympathy. “I’ve really loved helping. Your story of injustice is inspiring, and I know from my own personal history how a tricky family background can cause all kinds of problems.”

I angled my head, wondering what she meant.

“My father, the man who raised me, wasn’t actually my biological father. I didn’t know until I was a teenager, and my parents never acknowledged it until that point of discovery. We had all the angst and drama you can imagine, but it resolved okay in the end. So believe me, helping you has been cathartic in all things right and true.”

I reached and took her fingers in mine, pressing them once. “Thank you. I had no idea about your family. I’m more than grateful you’ve helped mine.”

Scarlet smiled. “But on that note, my limit of usefulness has probably been reached. My people aren’t specialists in family courts. They can untangle legal wording on a standard contract, but you’d need to hire a lawyer with the right credentials if the Winchesters carry out their threat. We can offer general help but we’re also snowed under from tomorrow on a big new contract.”

Her phone buzzed, and she held it up. “My husband. Be back in a sec.”

Scarlet stepped outside to take her call.

---