Chapter 28 Setting the Rules
Chapter 28 Setting the Rules
Shana picked up the document with a sigh. “I’m not changing anything-”
But she stopped mid–sentence as she looked through the file, her face growing serious.
Over the past three years, Brian had been scoring big deals with the Floyd Group thanks to her connections. The profits were substantial enough to keep the whole family living comfortably.
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But she didn’t expect him to be so greedy. The document clearly listed how Brian had been embezzling money from each project, and the total amount was quite significant.
Shana’s grip tightened on the document. She didn’t want Henry or anyone in the Floyds to look down on her, so she’d stayed out of business affairs and pretended not to know. She knew Brian and Gillian were a bit greedy, but she never imagined they would be this bold.
The evidence was solid. This was definitely something that could be handed over to the authorities.
Henry sát back, casually observing her expression. After a moment, he said calmly, “I’m giving you one more chance to reconsider your answer.”
So he had been waiting for her here.
Shana was shaking with anger. She swallowed hard and asked, “What if I still say no?”
Henry’s brow furrowed just slightly. “Shana, I’m a businessman, not a philanthropist. I’ve turned a blind eye to your uncle’s actions because of our marriage.
“But…” He paused, his eyes growing cold. “If we weren’t family, as the CEO of the Floyd Group, I’d have to answer to the shareholders and protect their interests. So don’t blame me if I don’t show any mercy and ignore our feelings.”
Feelings?
Had he ever had any feelings for me? It’s absurd.
“Mr. Floyd, you make threats and manipulation sound so sophisticated. Maybe you’re in the wrong line of work. You should set up a stand under a bridge and become a street performer. You’d be perfect at it!”
Henry’s tone grew even cooler. “Shana, it’s just a matter of delaying the divorce by six months, not canceling it. Why are you so worked up? Or is it that you’re just playing hard to get, trying to create drama to get my attention?”
Shana, enraged, managed a sarcastic smile. “How can you be so ordinary and yet so full of yourself?”
His face turned serious. His voice was cold as he warned, “If you don’t want Ryan and Brian ending up in jail, think carefully before you talk!”
Her words got stuck in her throat, and her face turned red with frustration.
Arguing wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Even though Henry was being ruthless, it was her uncle who’d Handed him the leverage, so she couldn’t blame anyone else.
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Chapter 28 Setting the Rules
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Henry knew exactly how to get to her. She couldn’t ignore Brian’s kindness toward her, so right now, he had her completely cornered.
Shana, feeling a mix of anger and frustration, bit her lower lip until it turned white, and was at a loss for words.
The office went completely quiet, like you could hear a pin drop.
Henry glanced at her. Seeing her look so hurt and distressed, he felt an odd, uncomfortable feeling in his chest, like something had bitten him.‘
It was an unsettling feeling.
He’d already been more patient and understanding than she ever expected. What more could she possibly be upset about?
Shana closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, and when she opened them, she was determined.
She sat back down, met his gaze, and said, “If you want me to keep being Mrs. Floyd, sure. But we need to lay down some ground rules first!”
Henry didn’t look surprised. If she were willing to just agree without any fuss, she wouldn’t be Shana.
“Alright, let’s hear it,” he said, tapping his fingers on the table.
Shana thought for a moment and said, “First, let’s make it official. For the next six months, you’re basically hiring me as your wife. So, you need to pay me a monthly salary. I’ll just consider it a job.”
She was short on cash. She figured if Henry was offering, she might as well make the most of it!
Henry looked surprised for a moment. He scoffed, “A job? So, are you expecting me to cover all your benefits too?”
Shana’s eyes sparkled. “If you’re up for it, I wouldn’t turn it down!”
Henry’s face remained cold. “Go on.”
“Second,” she continued, “keep my family out of our issues. Don’t use them to pressure me into doing things I don’t want to do!”
She had just realized that even though Mira looked down on her, she wouldn’t go so far as to ignore a simple apology and be so relentless about it.
Besides, her uncle’s embezzlement wasn’t new. Henry had been turning a blind eye on purpose. On the surface, he didn’t care, but in reality, he kept every piece of evidence just to use against her someday.
Maybe Brian’s actions were part of a plan to make way for Kate. Her sudden decision to get a divorce probably threw off his plans, forcing him to use his trump card earlier than he planned.
For the sake of true love, he really goes all out.
Shana felt a pang of bitterness inside..
Henry tapped the table lightly again and said, “What’s the third condition?”
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Chapter 28 Setting the Rules.
“Third,” Shana said with a slight smile. “We’re delaying the divorce for six months; I don’t agree to leave with nothing. But don’t worry; I’m not asking for half your fortune or anything crazy. Just give me 5% of Floyd Group shares!”
Even though Henry was a sc*mbag, she had to admit he was skilled. Under his leadership, Floyd Group was thriving. As a small shareholder, the dividends she get every year would be enough to cover all her needs.
Sure, she could earn her own money, but who would refuse a little extra money?
Shana.” Henry laughed. “You’ve got some nerve, asking for money so confidently. Do I look like an idi*t to you? You think you can just demand Floyd Group’s shares?“.
“Why not?” Shana shot back. “Mr. Floyd, the only reason you’re hesitating to divorce me now, besides Grandpa’s illness, is because the company is already in panic with him being so sick.
“If you divorce me now, the company will definitely be thrown into chaos, which would be bad for Floyd Group. And if any of the uncles and aunts get any funny ideas, you’d be in serious trouble, right?”
Henry was still young. When Duncan handed the company over to him, the other uncles and aunts were already unhappy. They kept their complaints to themselves out of respect. But now that he was seriously ill, if Henry had screwed up, they would’ve definitely taken advantage of it.
Henry’s dark eyes narrowed, clearly taken aback by her words.
After a moment, he said with a hint of sarcasm, “Shana, looks like you’ve gotten smart.”
Smart my foot!
Shana tried to keep her temper in check. “Just tell me if you agree or not. If you do, we’ll get a lawyer to draft up the contract and get it notarized right away. If you don’t, then we’re done.”
Henry stared at her in silence, and she held her ground, glaring right back.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally looked away, and then pressed the intercom button and said, “Have Mr. Walker come over right away.”
Hearing this, Shana breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She had won!
It turns out, when I don’t have the sc*mbag in my heart, I can handle things with confidence!
Five minutes later, the lawyer walked into the office. He quickly prepared two copies of the contract based on their terms and set them on the desk.
Shana signed both copies right away. Only then did Henry pick up his pen and slowly sign his name.
Seeing this, Shana finally smiled. At least now there was some hope that the divorce mess would be sorted
out.
“If there’s no issue with the contract, I’m leaving,” Shana said, picking up one copy and heading for the door.
“There’s one more thing!” he called out calmly.
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Chapter 28 Setting the Rules
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“What’s that?”
“It still needs to be stamped.”
“Then stamp it!”
Shana handed the contract over to him. Instead of taking it, Henry grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her closer.
As she leaned across the desk, his lips touched hers.
