Chapter 4

Monica froze for two seconds before laughing. "The chairman? Wow. You really committed to the act."

Victor frowned at me. "Ms. Bennett, you're clearly not in the right state of mind. I suggest you go home and rest."

I ignored him and spoke into the phone, "Marcus, pull up the original ownership documents, the property management agreement, and all registration records for the Emerald Bay project."

"Already on it. The legal team and security teams will be there in ten minutes."

I glanced at Daniel. His hand was still gripping my wrist.

"Bring weapons, too."

Daniel immediately released me, suddenly realizing what I meant.

Monica's expression hardened.

"Who do you think you're scaring? Making a few phone calls doesn't make you the boss."

Victor pulled her aside and lowered his voice. "Mrs. Prescott, she might actually know someone."

Monica glared at him. "What are you so afraid of? Everyone knows Emerald Bay belongs to Whitmore Properties. What could a young girl like her possibly do?"

"But she mentioned ownership documents…"

"She's bluffing." Monica sneered. "Young people these days love putting on a show. One phone call, and suddenly she's throwing around words like 'board of directors.' If she were really the chairman, do you think she would've just sat there and taken all those insults in the residents' group?"

Seeing me remain silent, Monica seemed convinced she had the upper hand.

"Ms. Bennett, I'll give you one last chance. Apologize now. Admit that Lakeview Isle is a public area, and I'll have Mr. Hayes drop the charges against you for disrupting the construction.

"You'll also post a statement in the residents' group saying that you willingly supported my daughter's wedding and thanking the property management company for arranging everything."

"And?" I asked.

"You'll pay the island's cleanup costs yourself. Our wedding crew was delayed by half an hour, so you'll cover those losses, too."

I looked up at her. "How much?"

Monice crossed her arms. "300 thousand dollars. I'm being generous. We're neighbors, after all."

I nodded. "Noted."

Victor's patience ran out. "Ms. Bennett, stop being sarcastic. Mrs. Prescott has already been more than reasonable."

"I gave you chances, too."

What chances?"

I stood up.

"I already gave them to you. Before you cut the gate lock. Before you blocked the fire exit today. And before you let your security guards put their hands on me."

Victor's face darkened. "Don't make accusations without proof."

"The security cameras are everywhere."

He sneered. "The Lakeview Isle security system malfunctioned. The property cameras are under maintenance."

"What a coincidence," I scoffed. "Just my luck."

Monica laughed again. "Aren't you always going on about security footage? Go ahead. Get it. There are no cameras and no witnesses. Who's going to prove I slapped you?"

The nearby workers turned their heads away.

Daniel avoided eye contact, too.

I scanned the group.

No one spoke. Fabulous.

A black luxury SUV suddenly screeched to a stop by the lake. Six people in dark gray suits stepped out. Leading them was Marcus Morgan.

He looked thinner than he had three years ago, but the coldness in his eyes remained unchanged.

He walked toward me. The moment he saw my face, he froze. "Who did this?"

Monica looked him up and down. "Who are you supposed to be?"

Marcus ignored him.

He handed me a document folder. "Ms. Bennett, the board is already online. Whitmore Properties' chairman, Richard Whitmore, is on his way. He'll arrive in about 15 minutes."

Victor's face instantly went pale.

Monica frowned. "Richard Whitmore? You mean that Richard Whitmore from Whitmore Properties?"

Marcus finally turned to her. "Mrs. Prescott, Emerald Bay was developed by Whitmore Properties. 62% of Whitmore Properties is owned by Skylark Holdings, and Ms. Cecilia Bennett is the controlling shareholder of Skylark Holdings."

Edward's property management company was nothing more than a minor subsidiary of Whitmore Properties.

Monica's mouth fell open, her expression blank with disbelief.

Then she burst out laughing even louder.

"You people are really creative. The controlling shareholder? If she's the boss, then I'm the mayor's wife."

I opened the folder and pulled out the first document, handing it to Victor. "Article 17 of the property management agreement. Read it carefully."

Victor didn't take it.

So, Marcus read it out loud. "If the property management company fabricates owner resolutions, infringes upon independent property rights, or damages an owner's assets, the client reserves the right to immediately terminate the contract and pursue full compensation."

Victor swallowed hard.

At that moment, Monica's phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID, looking annoyed.

"Edward, why are you calling? I'm busy."

A trembling male voice came from the other end. "Monica… Are you at Lakeview Isle?"

Monica rolled her eyes. "Yes. So what?"

"Stop immediately! Apologize to Ms. Bennett right now!"

She froze. "What did you say?"

"Mr. Whitmore from Whitmore Properties just called me. He said we forged property management company resolutions and illegally occupied the private property of Skylark Holdings' actual head. Who exactly did you offend?"