INICIAR SESIÓN"She's my mother in every way that matters."Tahimik na napatingin si Emrys kay Serenity.May maliit na ngiti sa mukha nito habang inaayos ang mga natitirang gardening tools.Hindi niya alam kung bakit, pero may kung anong kakaiba sa paraan ng pagkakasabi nito.Walang pag-aalinlangan.Walang lungkot.Puro pagmamahal lamang."She must have raised you well," sabi niya.Serenity looked up."She did."Napangiti siya."Although she'd probably disagree.""Why?""Because I was quite stubborn."Emrys raised an eyebrow."Was?"Serenity stopped.Then slowly turned toward him."Excuse me?"He looked perfectly serious."Past tense?"She stared at him.Then laughed."You're one to talk.""What does that mean?""Nothing.""Serenity."She smiled."Let's just say Aiden didn't get all his stubbornness from nowhere."Emrys looked toward the villa.Then back at her."He's nothing like me."Serenity raised an eyebrow."Really?""Really."She folded her arms."Interesting.""What?""Because he says exactl
Sabado ng hapon, nasa garden si Serenity nang marinig ang boses ni Noah."Mommy, they're here."Napalingon siya.Nakatayo ang anak malapit sa glass doors, habang sa likuran nito ay papalapit sina Emrys at Aiden.May hawak na maliit na paper bag si Aiden."Aunt Serenity!"Ngumiti siya."Hello, sweetheart."Mabilis itong lumapit."I brought something."Serenity looked at the bag."What is it?""Seeds."Napataas ang kilay niya."You bought seeds?"Aiden nodded proudly."Yes.""Do you know what kind?"He paused.Then looked at the bag."Plants."Noah closed his eyes.Serenity laughed."Well, that's a start."Emrys approached."Good afternoon."Napatingin siya rito."Good afternoon."Hindi tulad ng karaniwang business attire nito, nakasuot lamang si Emrys ng simpleng dark shirt at casual trousers.Serenity glanced at his shoes."You're dressed appropriately."Emrys raised an eyebrow."For what?""Gardening."He looked down."Should I be worried?""Depends.""On?""Whether you're willing to
"Sir, may request po para sa isang special board session."Napatingin si Darius sa assistant na kararating lamang sa kanyang office."From whom?""One of the directors, sir. Regarding internal board deliberations and shareholder participation."Kinuha ni Darius ang ipinadalang proposal.Binasa niya ang agenda.Procedures for directors-only discussions.Handling of confidential financial information.Preparation of resolutions requiring shareholder approval.Wala namang kakaiba sa mga paksa.Pero may isang bagay na agad niyang napansin."Why now?"The assistant hesitated."According to the director, sir, the recent emergency meeting highlighted the need for clearer procedures."Darius leaned back."The emergency meeting.""Yes, sir."Muli niyang binasa ang proposal.Hindi mahirap hulaan kung anong pangyayari ang tinutukoy nito.Ang mga tanong ni Serenity.Ang pagtatalo nila ni Cele.At ang meeting na natapos nang walang naaprubahang restructuring."Has Legal reviewed this?""Only the p
"Are these the complete financial statements?"Napatingin ang finance director ng Heavenwood Holdings sa lalaking nakaupo sa kabilang dulo ng conference table."Those are the latest reports available, sir."The director frowned."That's not what I asked."Bahagyang natahimik ang silid.Nasa harap niya ang ilang financial documents na ipinadala ng management bilang tugon sa formal request niya.Isa siya sa mga board directors na may hawak na nine percent ng Heavenwood Holdings.Sa tabi niya ay ang isa pang director na may seven percent ownership.Pareho silang dumalo sa emergency meeting kung saan kinuwestiyon ni Serenity ang restructuring proposal.At ngayon, gusto nilang personal na suriin ang mga numerong ipinakita ng management."The independent valuation?" tanong ng nine-percent director."Still being finalized, sir.""And the complete liabilities schedule?""In preparation."The seven-percent director slowly closed his folder."Then what exactly did you bring us?"The finance dir
"Another request?"Napatingin si Darius sa assistant niyang nakatayo sa harap ng desk."Yes, sir. Two board directors have submitted formal requests for additional financial information."Darius frowned."Who?""The directors holding nine percent and seven percent of Heavenwood Holdings."Napahinto siya."Both?""Yes, sir."Iniabot ng assistant ang dalawang sulat.Binuksan ni Darius ang una.Request for independent valuation.Complete subsidiary obligations.Details of the proposed asset transfers.Binuksan niya ang pangalawa.May karagdagang tanong tungkol sa projected revenue at repayment assumptions.Darius leaned back."They already raised these concerns after the emergency meeting.""Yes, sir. They're now requesting the documents formally."Napahawak si Darius sa noo.Naalala niya ang dalawang directors na lumapit sa kanya pagkatapos ng magulong meeting.Hindi sila nakisali sa pagtatalo nina Serenity at Cele.Pero malinaw na nakinig sila sa mga tanong ni Serenity tungkol sa finan
[Do you know how much of Heavenwood Holdings Serenity actually owns?]Matagal na nakatitig si Cele sa message na ipinadala niya kay Victor Salcedo.Nasa sariling kwarto siya sa Heavenwood villa, nakaupo sa harap ng dressing table.Bahagya nang nawala ang pamumula ng kanyang pisngi, pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang galit niya.Muli niyang naalala ang nangyari sa boardroom.Ang mga matang nakatingin sa kanya.Ang katahimikan matapos siyang sampalin.At ang huling sinabi ni Serenity.Make sure you actually own a share.Cele gritted her teeth."Who does she think she is?"Biglang tumunog ang phone.Victor.[Thirty percent.]Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Cele.Thirty?Mabilis siyang nag-type.[Are you sure?][Yes. Her grandfather left those shares to her.]Cele stared at the screen.Alam niyang may iniwang inheritance si Octavian Heavenwood kay Serenity.Pero hindi niya inaasahang ganoon kalaki.Thirty percent.Halos kasinglaki ng family-controlled shares nina Darius at Aurelia.[How much does our







