Page 40 of Frayed Owner

“Itiswrong, and that was part of my helping you,” Jean cut in. “It makes our family crazy. I don’t agree with you that I’m a psychopath. I ambrokenjust like the rest of the Shaws including the two of you. I had to cut myself off from everything to survive as well!”

I met her gaze again. “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t know me well enough to—”

“You could have come in here and asked for help,” I snapped. “You could have asked forforgivenessfor not helping me then and explaining it would have meant both of us being beat. I would have understood that. Or even—you came in here ready to fuck us over.Smilingthat you could. So don’t play the victim here.”

“Agreed, but don’t become dirty like them, Bevin,” Clare implored. “You’re right and Jean is cheating. You didn’t. Your company and everything is clean.”

“Oh, who’s the liar now, Clare?” Jean drawled. “She got the start from Grandfather, lying to all of us and hiding her magic to—”

“So she didn’tdie!Everything she did was to survive, Jean. I could even forgive you a lot for the same but Bevin’s right. You didn’t ask us to go on the record that we support you or wish you the best. There was a lot you could have done with this meeting. Instead, you were going to take credit for everything Bevin’s been doing—”

“Why stop there? She could pretend to be the owner if she had Bevin under her control,” Tracey purred, seeing something in Jean’s aura.

That pissed Jean off. “That wouldn’t even make sense and I’ve worked hard for the power I have. Yes, I stole a toy when I was a college kid, but I workedhardand was diligent.”

“Fine, then prove it and don’t cheat now,” I taunted, seeing the right move to make. I snorted. “Hell, I’ll even help you, just not in the way you wanted.” I nodded towards the door. “Walk out there and announce that you wish Clare and I the best and you understand why we did what we did.

“As our oldest sister, you understand the toxicmaleleadership did a lot of harm and abuse to us. Fuck, I’ll give you the proof Alex abused me. I have it. He can’t be in charge. Take it and spin your tale that you helped us get free because you worried for us while taking on Charles and exposing Alex. Take the win.”

“That’s not enough,” she bit out.

“You do that and truly put the last nail in this coffin and leave us alone and I’ll give you something so dirty on Hughes that it will keep him off of you,” I promised.

“Do I know about this?” Tracey muttered, shooting me a look.

“Taylor does. He was going to talk to you, but—we’re always busy.” I shrugged. “It’s big though and a problem. We’re going to have to figure out how to handle it. Now that Fath—Charles is gone, I have a feeling Taylor is going to focus on undercutting other heads.” I smirked at Jean. “It could be Hughes or someone who would protect you?”

“I still don’t think you have the power to—”

“Believe her, Jean,” Clare sighed. “She’s beloved by several councilmen’s wives. Mrs. Reid has taken her as a protégé. And she’s doing these sessions I don’t understand yet with every councilman. You obviously understand about them though from those emails…”

“And the way you’re now so pissed,” Tracey chuckled, putting salt on Jean’s upset and why Clare trailed off. “Now you see that your plan wouldn’t have worked. No, it wouldn’t have. We’re aligned with the council. They’ve invested in our expansion and more. You would only look the fool if you told people.”

I snorted. “She’d be eaten alive. She’s not telling anyone without me.” I shrugged when Jean opened her mouth. “We both know I’m right. The aunts and uncles would bepissedyou kept it secret and they couldn’t use me to get Charles out sooner. Mother would never forgive you. Grandmother would take back her support, and you need that for now.”

“And more than that, they’d all want her to be the head,” Clare said firmly. “And you know it, Jean.”

“They’dpuppether for the power and—”

“Yes, they would try to,” I agreed. “But you are currently the best option while they circle the wagons and come up with a new play. While Grandmother backs you, you are the best person. That changes if you tell the truth about me. And we both know it. So takemy dealand play the loving sister and victim on this, or I will blow upyour world, Sister.”

If that wasn’t enough to solidify the deal, Mrs. Oliviera and Mrs. Reid came into the room with Mrs. Moon and Mrs. Cook.

“You are the first head of a family who didn’t kill for the role or do anything horrid,” Mrs. Reid said firmly. “I suggest you not start and focus on turning around the image of the top-tier families. You have the chance to make history and change a lot, Ms. Shaw. Do it honorably because your father started a war and we’re not backing down. Don’t be the first casualty.”

“I believe we are having our sessions and you’re working on your next project while teaching us what to do?” Mrs. Moon asked. “Oh, and my chef made some food for you lovely women. Tracey and Jasmine are too busy to cook and they need nourishment. The guards have it.” She smirked at Jean. “Have a lovely day, Ms. Shaw.”

Jean ignored them and focused on me. “I want a brush and for us to be taken off the blocked list.”

“No, I’m not helping to make you more powerful after you wanted to sell Clare like a fucking mare and take me over,” I said with a sneer. “I’m disgusted my toy did what it has.”

“She’s still better than Alex and she took out Father,” Clare reminded me.

“I did not take out his familiar,” Jean said firmly, actually looking upset for a second. “I had Father handled with my power and he was supposed to go to the hunting cabin to…” She cleared her throat.

“Except he didn’t and came for me, and Alex went for Clare. There’s your announcement to everyone.” I let out a slow breath. “Let’s see how things go. I’ll decide about those who work for you if you leave us alone. Maybe.” I glanced at Tracey. “Let’s go. We’ve given too much time for this already.”

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