Yulia felt as if someone had struck her over the head. Instinctively, she stepped back, but Simms swept in, draping an arm protectively around her shoulders as he rounded on Victoria, his voice dripping with venom.


    "Your mother''s been dead for years. What''s so wrong with me having a rtionship? Just because your own husband can''t stand you, and you make a scene everywhere you go, doesn''t mean you have the right to ruin things for me too. You ungrateful brat."


    Everyone in the room heard Simms, loud and clear.


    But when he actually used the words "having a rtionship," the entire room went silent with shock.


    No one expected the chairman of a major corporation to say something so scandalously tone-deaf in front of a crowd.


    “Hearing a middle-aged man talk about his ''love life'' out loud... God, it''s just— creepy," someone murmured under their breath.


    Victoria let out a coldugh.


    "No one''s stopping you from fooling around, so don''t meddle in my family''s affairs. The Turner estate is mine. No one will get a cent out of me."


    She turned to Violet, her words sharp as razors. "Violet, the marriage certificate has my name on it. No matter how wild you and my husband once were, it was never legitimate. What you did after he married me? That''s called being a homewrecker. Dress it up however you want cheating is cheating, shacking up is still shacking up. Or what, are you and Mr. Miller trying to convince everyone that having an affair after marriage is just ''dating''?"


    With a single sentence, Victoria managed to insult all three at once-Yulia, Simms, and Violet-leaving their faces twisted in humiliation.


    Victoria nced at the officers. "Continue the inventory."


    Simms, fuming, shot back, "Fine, let her check everything, down to thest penny. Violet, it''s not like you can''t survive without the Turner money. You still have your aunt and uncle. Whatever Victoria confiscates from you today, they''ll rece, one for one."


    Yulia was so livid that her jaw clenched tight.


    Violet, meanwhile, was basking in a mix of gratitude and smug satisfaction.


    "See, Victoria? Not only does your husband of six years not love you, even your own father can''t stand the sight of you. You''re rich, sure, but there isn''t a single person around you who actually cares about you. I almost feel sorry for you."


    Victoria ignored her, eyes focused on the growing list of items as she directed the staff to assign values to each one.


    By the time the sun was setting, they''d only gotten through a fifth of the inventory.


    Simms stayed glued to Violet''s side, determined to see exactly how much she''d have to repay.


    After tallying up a portion, Victoria read off the numbers. Simms scoffed.


    "A measly few hundred million? We can handle it."


    He stood firm behind Violet, her steadfast supporter, making it clear Victoria''s threats didn''t faze him.


    Victoria''s gaze grew even more detached, a faint, mocking smile curling at her lips as she looked at Simms.


    "Very generous of you, Mr. Miller. Too bad you don''t have much sway as chairman anymore. I hold twenty-five percent of Turner Group''s shares. The remaining seventy-five percent is split between you and seventeen other shareholders. Unless you can rally at least ten of them to your cause, your four percent won''t get you far. Movingpany funds at will? Please."


    Her smile sent a chill straight down Simms''s spine.


    "What are you getting at?"


    "I''m turning twenty-five soon. And I have no intention of signing over my shares to you."


    Simms''s face hardened, barely concealed rage flickering in his eyes.


    "You don''t have a choice. I''m the Turner family''s son-inw-everything I''ve done has been for this family. You owe me those shares. They''re rightfully mine." Victoria''s eyes narrowed. "Yours? If all your years of hard work only managed to drag the Turner family business down from the top spot in Starfall City to seventh ce, then I''d say your efforts aren''t worth much at all.


    Grandfather left a will. Once I turn twenty-five, I can do whatever I want with my twenty-five percent. Which means, in one week, I''ll be thergest shareholder in Turner Group.


    I''ve made up my mind. I''m joining the board of Golden Era Enterprises as a shareholder. Given your track record, the chairman''s seat will be up for a new vote. Mr. Miller, the rules have changed. You don''t get to call the shots anymore."