Chapter 6

Audrey POV

Only I was left in the room, crying silently.

I sat weakly on the floor, clutching the broken necklace tightly in my hand.

This was the only thing Mom had left for me, and now Skylar had carelessly broken it.

Without even an apology.

I wiped away my tears. Mom didn't know when she would wake up, and I absolutely couldn't leave the wedding fund she had painstakingly saved for me to this family.

This was Mom's life savings; it absolutely couldn't go to anyone else!

It was like something clicked in my mind. I stood up from the floor and rushed straight to my father's study.

I gently knocked on the door, and a deep voice from inside said,

"Come in."

I composed myself, took a deep breath, and placed my hand on the cold doorknob.

From the anxious expression on my father's face, I knew our family company was in a very dangerous situation.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be arranging a strategic marriage for his daughter to save the company.

I didn't speak, and the room fell silent.

Only the sound of my father flipping through papers and sighing could be heard.

It wasn't until my father happened to look up that he noticed I had appeared in the study.

I spoke first, breaking the heavy atmosphere. My voice was a little strained. "Dad, I'm getting married soon. My mom left me a trust fund. That's twenty percent of the company's shares."

Hearing about the shares, my father's hand visibly paused. He closed the documents in his hand and stared intently at me.

"Audrey, you know the company hasn't been doing well lately."

"You don't need these shares. When I manage the company well, I'll give you more later."

I still didn't back down, instead, I seized his weak point.

"Dad, since you admit this is the trust fund my mom left me, when I want it is my business."

"You wouldn't want everyone in the city to know on my wedding day that our family can't even produce assets, would you?"

"It would only make you lose face then, wouldn't it?"

I was like a snake now, tightly wrapped around what was rightfully mine.

My father's words sounded good now, but if I actually got married, the shares might not end up in my hands.

I insisted on getting them now, and a few sentences put my father in an awkward position.

While my father was hesitating, I added fuel to the fire.

"Dad, only if we create profit for the Hayes family in New York will they be willing to help us."

I knew that the entire company was now focused on my marriage, hoping to quickly connect with the billionaire Mr. Hayes and alleviate the financial crisis.

My father pondered for a few seconds, then took out his phone and called his assistant.

"Bring me the share transfer agreement."

Before I could even breathe a sigh of relief, the study door opened.

Liam walked in, holding Skylar's hand, looking every bit like an affectionate couple.

Liam glanced at me with obvious disdain. He stood to the side and spoke casually.

"So you're that cunning after all? Didn't you say you wouldn't fight for anything?"

"Now you're secretly asking Dad for something behind Skylar's back?"

I looked at my father, but he always preferred to avoid conflict, completely ignoring my gaze.

I knew he was always unreliable in critical moments.

"Yes, I am fighting for it. I've done a lot for the company over the years. I'm just taking what's rightfully mine."

"Why would I be a fool and not take money when it's offered?"

I couldn't be bothered to argue with them. Just as I was about to turn and leave the study, my wrist was pulled back by an unknown force.

Liam's face had turned grim, his eyes seemingly bloodshot.

"Skylar doesn't even have that, what makes you think you deserve it?"

I met his gaze, unafraid, only feeling the righteousness of what I deserved.

"Why? Because my mother married into this family all those years ago, and the Bennett family's company value increased hundreds of times over!"

For a moment, the two of us stood there, locked in a silent standoff.

Liam was so stunned by my words that he couldn't utter a single sentence.

My father, seated at the desk, had a sullen expression.

Suddenly, a soft whimpering sound broke the silence.

It was Skylar.

"Dad, I know you've always favored Audrey. After all, she's the one who grew up with you."

"I'm just an illegitimate daughter who was out there, living in the shadows. It's only natural for you to treat her well."

The more Skylar spoke, the heavier her sobs became.

The guilt on my father's face deepened.

Then, as if her pent-up grievances had reached their peak, she covered her mouth and ran out.

My father, without thinking, chased after her.

Only Liam and I remained in the study.