Stewart Corporation


    Lincoln was noticeably absent from thepany''s morning meeting, and the family''s eldest branch wasted no time in using this as a chance to give Lincoln''s assistant, Greta, a harsh talking-to: "Ms. Nellie, your CEO has barely started and hasn''t made any contributions to thepany yet. Now he''s absent without exnation. How can suchck of discipline set a good example for the employees?"


    Greta, eager to make a name for herself and hoping to catch Lincoln''s eye, mustered up her courage. "Mr. Howard, emergenciese up. Our CEO had a family emergency and couldn''t make it to the meeting. He asked me to exin the situation to all the shareholders. I hope you can understand."


    Regan didn''t push the matter further. "If the second branch is dealing with family issues, let''s not assign him any tasks for now. Let him focus on his family."


    Greta was left at a loss for words.


    After the meeting, Dean and his son, along with a few trusted allies, huddled in the office to strategize. "Luck seems to be on our side. Vivian is caught up in heartbreak and is dealing with severe depression. Lincoln is too busy with his daughter''s problems topete with us for resources. Tyson, Ashley, now''s your chance. Secure as many contracts as you can while the second branch is distracted."


    Dean and Ashley were full of confidence. "We''re on it."


    But after a full day of work, they returned home to give Regan an update, only to arrive with long faces.


    "Dad, our biggest partner turned us down."


    "Why?"


    "No idea," Dean said, looking defeated.


    Ashley added, "I might have a clue. Just like the Dawson, Rond, and McCoy families, they''re wary of Nathalie''s strong allies."


    Regan was taken aback. "Nathalie has powerful allies?"


    Ashley exined, "They''re folks Nathan left for Nathalie. One is Dominick, a top-notch diplomat who''s sealed all of Maple Company''s deals with his smooth talking. The other is Ford, a genius hacker with an extraordinary mind."


    Regan sank into his chair. "I had no idea Nathalie had such strong backing."


    Dean was at a loss. "Dad, what do we do now? Are we just going to let the second branch take back their inheritance rights?"


    Regan rubbed his temples, deep in thought. "Don''t lose hope.


    Remember, the second branch is already dealing with issues. Until the very end, you never know who wille out on top."


    He paused, a sly grin forming as an idea struck him. "Lincoln''s all about his daughter. If something happened to Nathalie, Lincoln would lose his focus. Why not target Nathalie?"


    Ashley asked, "How?"


    "Let''s air all of Nathalie''s past mistakes. I can''t imagine Lincoln won''t be rocked by


    her unsavory history."


    Dean nodded. "I''ll get on it right away."


    Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lincoln was doting on his daughter, making sure she stayed hydrated and cutting her fruit into bite-sized pieces before feeding her.


    Nathalie felt a mix of happiness and inexplicable boredom with life.


    "Dad, you''ve been here at the hospital with me for days. What about thepany?"


    Lincoln reassured her, "Your sister''s got it covered. Don''t worry, the main branch won''t be able to take it from us."