"You guys are quite a crafty couple," Darren began, catching a glimpse of their gazes and quickly backpedaling. "I an, the most intelligent, the most in-sync couple."
"It’s mainly because Rose played along so well," Eunice said, pulling Rosemary’s hand into hers in praise. "She even managed to coax out Teresa’s words. The root of their jealousy is that back in the day, Grandpa favoured Dad in his will, leaving him the entire corporation and only a few dividends to them."
Eunice’s earrings were actually miniature spy caras, and she had recorded everything that had just happened, sending the footage to Darren’s phone.
"I sent it to you on WhatsApp, you can take a look."
Hearing Eunice’s words, Darren, despite knowing the gist of it, still couldn’t bring himself to watch the video.
After all, these were his siblings whom he had loved wholeheartedly for most of his life.
And to think that after he fell ill, these sa siblings wanted to murder his entire family—including himself, his eldest son, his daughter-in-law, and the granddaughter they had just found.
They wouldn’t spare a single one!
"Let’s not dwell on these sad matters for now. Rose, I thought I was a goner, ready to join your grandma on the other side, but you, my girl, have such great skills that you could even cure my complex illness!"
Darren looked at his granddaughter with imnse admiration. "So young, yet so exceptional. What a blessing for the Collins and the Griffith families to have you back ho with us."
Since they were sitting in an RV at the mont, the family was gathered on the couches. Rosemary smiled at Darren before her.
"Grandpa, I’m glad to have been of so help with your illness."
At least her return to the family wasn’t without purpose.
"That’s not just ’so help.’ You saved one life. This is a great kindness."
Darren was beaming. "Your dical skills could give many more years of happiness. From now on, I want to make up for all the ti I’ve missed out on with you!"
Rosemary’s smile deepened. "Seeing you full of vitality in front of is all I could wish for. I only hope that both you and Grandma stay healthy and live long, joyful lives together."
"You are such a darling. No wonder Bard speaks so highly of you. I’ve taken quite a shine to you myself from the mont we t!"
Unfortunately, he had rushed out without preparing a proper welco gift.
He would have to make it up to his granddaughter when they got back!
Just then, Eunice’s phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID—it was Arlen. Her lips curled into a smile as she answered on speakerphone.
"Eunice, how’s Darren feeling? Any better?" Arlen’s voice ca through with feigned concern.
Darren’s face darkened at the sound, and he huffed, turning his head away.
Eunice replied with a scoff. "Thanks to you, Dad’s still in surgery fighting for his life."
"And what about Bard?" Arlen inquired, seizing the opportunity to gather more information.
"He’s discussing the dical details with Mr. Chapman. Rose’s already in the OR assisting. If you’ve got sothing to say, Arlen, just spit it out."
Arlen chuckled, not expecting Eunice to be so sharp.
"Eunice, you’re a sharp cookie, and I’m not one for beating around the bush. We’re all family here, and you don’t want to see our clan fall apart, do you? Darren’s sick as a dog, and he just can’t handle any more bad news."
"So, what’s your big plan, Arlen?" Eunice asked coolly.
"Like I said, you’re smart. You know what I’m getting at and what I want you to do. You know , Eunice—I’ve got no beef with you."
Arlen was probably scared to death Eunice was recording the call, because he didn’t say anything too incriminating.
Eunice chuckled. "Are you asking to keep mum? But you know I never enter a losing deal."
The mont Arlen heard that, he sensed there was room to negotiate and quickly said, "Na your price. Anything within my power, I’ll give it to you."
"Anything you can offer, Dad and Bard can give too. Your usual trinkets hold no allure for ."
Arlen’s face soured. "Then what do you want?"
"There is one thing Dad and Bard can’t give ." Eunice’s smile grew even brighter. "It’s about ti for Calvin to hang up his boots, so let’s cut to the chase. I want all of your shares, and Calvin, Bess, and Teresa’s shares, and I want you all to announce your retirent from the company. From here on out, you won’t get a single cent of the dividends."
Arlen was flabbergasted at her audacity to make such demands!
"Think it over with them, Arlen. Don’t say I didn’t give you a fair chance. You’ve got one hour." With that, Eunice hung up the phone.
"Hello? Hello?" Arlen couldn’t believe what he had just heard. It took him a second to snap back to reality, shaking with rage. That cunning fox was totally exploiting the situation!
After Eunice put away her phone, she turned to Rosemary with a smile. "Rose, what do you reckon? Will they bite?"
"Aunt Eunice, isn’t it obvious you know they won’t agree?"
Eunice smirked. "Explain."
"They’ve been drooling over Grandpa and Uncle Bard’s shares from the get-go, which ans they’re hungry for more. What they have now just doesn’t cut it. But the mont you open your mouth, you’re basically leaving them high and dry. How could they possibly agree?"
Rosemary paused, then added, "You intentionally told them Grandpa’s in surgery and Uncle Bard’s busy discussing his condition with Mr. Chapman. They definitely know who Mr. Chapman is, so they can guess which hospital Grandpa’s in. They’ll assu everyone’s too busy to rally the troops, making it their perfect opportunity to strike."
Not just Eunice, but Bard and Darren too, looked at Rosemary with admiration and agreent, waiting for her to continue.
"By demanding the moon and giving them just an hour to think, aren’t you forcing their hand to make a move within that hour?"
"Dad, smart granddaughter, huh?" Eunice said with a laugh, glancing at Darren. "Sharp as a tack, right?"
"Sharp, very sharp," Darren nodded with a beaming smile. "A clever kid."
From the start, Eunice had no intention of playing ball with Arlen and his crew. She was just fanning the flas of their ’rebellion.’
And sure enough, after hearing Arlen’s ssage, Calvin—who had been on the fence—lost his cool completely, slamming his fist down on the table in fury!
That little upstart had ambitions too big for her boots. It was ti to cut her down to size.
"Get the n ready. We move on my command tonight!" A glint of ruthless determination flashed in Calvin’s eyes.
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