Chapter 2

My words sent a shockwave through the room. The half-siblings stared at me as if I had lost my mind.

Dad looked at me, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his gaze. "You're not against me setting up a trust for Ethan and the others?"

I nodded, my expression serene. "They can have the trust money, but I want something in return."

"What's that?" Dad asked, almost reflexively.

"The right to inherit the company," I stated firmly.

Ethan, panicked, immediately piped up.

"Really, Lily? It's clear now why you were so quick to agree to Dad's trust fund. You've had your sights set on the company all along!"

Yvonne Porter, mother to the three out-of-wedlock kids, let out a harsh laugh, openly manipulating Dad. "Wow, Ms. Smith, you've got quite the strategy. Your father is still alive, and here you are, jockeying for a piece of the pie."

Rebecca Smith, the middle child, chimed in with a gleeful taunt. "Dad is fit as a fiddle, and you're already plotting for your share. Jumping the gun much?"

Caleb Smith, the youngest, stayed silent, but his disdainful look said it all.

With Yvonne and her brood egging each other on, Dad's gaze on me grew heavy with disappointment. "That's enough!

"Lily, it's not your place to call the shots about who'll take over the company! Even if I hand it to Ethan, you've got no say in the matter."

Yvonne had been in Dad's ear for years, angling to get the company passed down to Ethan.

Their grins were unstoppable when they heard Dad's words. However, inside, I smirked.

I kept my cool and reminded him, "Dad, remember, you and Mom built this company together. She owns half."

Mom and Dad had been living apart for ages, but they never divorced because splitting the company was too complicated. Mom had told me long ago that her shares were mine. I was supposed to take over after college, but Dad played favorites for his other kids, claiming I was not experienced enough to be the heir.

Their sour faces told me they remembered Mom's promise, too. I could not help but feel a rush of satisfaction, though I played it tough. "How about this: I'll trade my claim to the company for the $2.1 billion trust fund."

No sooner had the words left my mouth than Yvonne's mocking laughter rang out, as if she had seen right through my bluff.

"The company's in a real bind right now. Forget about 2.1 billion dollars, it's not even worth half a billion, Ms. Smith. You're playing a clever game, pretending to back down to get what you really want, the trust fund, right?"

Yvonne was convinced she had hit the nail on the head.

"Honey, don't let her fool you. That trust fund is what we're counting on for our kids' future," she pleaded with her husband.

Ethan and his siblings joined in, cautioning their dad not to fall for any tricks.

Dad peered at me, searching my face for a hint of my true intentions.

It took a while, but Dad finally broke the silence.

"Lily, you, Ethan, and the rest are all my kids. I won't treat any of you unfairly.

"Here's what we'll do: You'll take over the company, and the trust fund, along with my other assets, will go to Ethan and the other three."

Dad locked eyes with me as he spoke, watching for the slightest reaction.

Seeing a flash of frustration in my eyes, he seemed reassured. Right in front of me, he made the call, declaring me the company's new heir.

Meanwhile, Dad was setting aside 2.1 billion dollars for a trust fund for his other children and made sure the news got out.

The thought of all that money had his other kids grinning like Cheshire cats.

Their smiles widened even more when they saw me.

Rebecca's voice dripped with scorn, "So, Sis, how's it feel to come up empty-handed? Now you get to babysit that sinking ship of a company until it goes under!"

Caleb was all smugness. "If you play nice with me now, I might just throw you a bone when you're out on the street. How's that sound?"

I bit back my anger, my face a mask of rage, but inside, I was the one smiling.

They were clueless. The company had been my prize all along.