Chapter 5
The next month passed in a blur of meetings, paperwork, and sleepless nights.
My due date was approaching, and the stress weighed heavy on my body.
Doctor visits became more frequent, and every time I went, I felt relief that my daughter was still strong and healthy.
But the attacks kept coming.
Helen used her connections to try and block my access to certain medical facilities.
She spread rumors that I was taking dangerous medications that could harm the baby.
She even convinced a distant cousin to make a statement claiming I had a history of mental health issues.
It was all fabricated, but it was exhausting to counter every single claim.
Marcus, my brother, grew more distant.
He called once to say he was going to a business dinner with Helen’s closest associate.
“I’m just trying to keep things calm,” he told me. “If we stay neutral, maybe we can avoid total war.”
“You are not staying neutral,” I replied. “You are giving her the impression that our family is divided. That is exactly what she wants.”
He hung up without answering.
Clara, though, began to shift.
She started noticing inconsistencies in Helen’s stories.
She asked questions, looked into the rumors herself, and eventually came to me with a folder of her own.
“I checked the records,” she said. “That cousin who spoke out? He owes Helen a lot of money. He only said what she told him to say.”
I felt a wave of relief.
“Thank you, Clara. That means more than you know.”
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Father’s plan advanced.
We now held nearly 22% of Langford Group’s shares.
It wasn’t a majority yet, but it was enough to give us a voice in the boardroom.
The first board meeting I attended felt like walking into a den of wolves.
Helen sat at the head of the table, flanked by Daniel and three other directors loyal to her.
When I entered, silence fell.
“Elena,” Helen said, smiling coldly. “I didn’t expect to see you here. This is a serious business meeting, not a playground.”
“I represent a significant block of shares,” I replied calmly. “And I intend to exercise my right to be present.”
The meeting began, and Helen presented a proposal to sell off one of the company’s most profitable divisions at a discounted price to a private investor.
Father’s man, who was sitting beside me, spoke up.
“Before we vote, we have reviewed the valuation. The price offered is 40% below market value. It looks like a deal designed to benefit only a few people.”
Helen’s smile faded.
“That is confidential negotiation. You have no right to interfere.”
“I have the right to ask questions,” I said. “And I have the documents to prove that this investor is linked to your personal accounts.”
The room froze.
Helen’s face turned red.
Daniel slammed his fist on the table.
“You are making baseless accusations!”
“Am I?” I opened my folder and laid out the papers. “These are banking records, traced through multiple layers. They show money moving from this sale directly into accounts you control.”
Chaos erupted.
Directors began speaking over each other, demanding explanations.
Helen tried to regain control, but for the first time, her authority was shaken.
By the end of the meeting, the proposal was voted down.
But as I walked out of the building, I received a new threat — this time sent directly to my private email.
*You have made a very big mistake. If you keep exposing our business, you will lose more than just a fight. You will lose your child.*
I stood there, my heart pounding.
May you like
They had crossed a line.
And I knew then that they would stop at nothing.
