Chapter 3
But the next day, things blew up.
Someone posted a video of Lily holding her baby at my studio in several socialite group chats.
The headline was nasty.
"Ex-wife sells off Grant family assets, drives newborn's father to bankruptcy."
Summer was holding her phone, her hands were shaking.
"Ms. Stone, they're tearing you apart in those group chats."
"Let them talk," I replied, cool as ever.
"But the clients are seeing all this too."
After reading through all the gossip, I texted a contact.
"How much can we reel in now?" I asked.
The reply came back fast.
"With the scattered shares and two minor shareholders, we can reach 62% today. Michael Bennett still has 5%. He wants to meet you."
Michael Bennett was Blue Ridge's second-largest shareholder.
He'd been with Jonathan since the early days, and he was a master at switching sides whenever the tides turned.
I replied, "Tonight."
Summer asked, "Ms. Stone, aren't you going to explain yourself?"
"Explain to whom?"
She froze.
I said, "Explanations are for people who actually listen. If they won't listen to reason, I'll let the results do the talking."
That evening, Margaret showed up.
She walked in and tossed her bag onto the reception table.
"Evelyn, you've really made something of yourself," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
I didn't bother to stand up.
"Mrs. Grant, sit or not, your choice, but don't get in my staff's way."
She raised her voice. "What did you just call me?"
"Mrs. Grant."
"I'm Jonathan's mother!" she snapped.
"You're not my mother," I shot back.
She jabbed a finger at me, her face flushed with anger.
"I haven't even called you out yet for selling those houses, and now you're bullying Lily and her baby. Do you even have a conscience?"
I asked, "Did Jonathan send you here?"
"I came on my own! Blue Ridge is the Grant family's foundation. You took the money, so you should be helping us."
"I don't owe you a damn thing."
"You were married into the Grant family for five years, eating our food, living under our roof."
I slid the bills across the table.
"My family paid for the wedding. The wedding house was mine. And every year, I was the one who bought you those birthday jewelry sets."
Margaret didn't even bother to look at them.
"Don't try to shut me up with all that. Let me tell you. Once a woman gets divorced, she should just keep a low profile. With you making such a scene, who would ever want you now?"
I laughed.
"Mrs. Grant, I'm not some secondhand item, like I need anyone's approval."
Her face fell.
"You couldn't give him a child, so what's wrong with Jonathan finding someone who can?"
The office went dead silent.
A few of my staff were standing by the door.
Lily showed up too.
She stood behind Margaret, cradling her baby.
Margaret straightened up, emboldened now.
"Lily can give the Grants a grandson. And you? What else can you do besides spend money?"
I opened another file on the table.
"I know how to make money."
She frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"Those three storefronts on Peace Avenue? I bought them five years ago for 12 million dollars. Sold them for 28 million. That's what I call making money."
I turned the page.
"The two penthouses at Cloudview Residences? They were in my name before I ever got married. And every dollar from selling them was legit.
"Mrs. Grant, if you don't get it, I can have my lawyer walk you through it."
She was left speechless.
Lily spoke up softly, "Evelyn, she's just anxious."
I turned to her.
"So being worried gives her the right to snatch someone else's money?"
Lily bit her lip.
I kept going, "Since you're Mrs. Grant now, why not act the part? Dragging your baby around and crying to everyone isn't going to magically get you 800 million dollars."
Margaret slammed her hand on the table.
"Evelyn, just you wait! I'll make sure the whole world knows what kind of person you really are!" she snapped.
I pressed the intercom.
"Summer, show them out."
Margaret looked ready to start another tirade.
I cut her off. "Keep it up, and I'll let Jonathan hear every word you just said."
Lily's face went pale.
She knew the last thing Jonathan needed right now was another scandal.
She grabbed Margaret's arm.
"Mrs. Grant, let's just go for now," she said softly.
Margaret shook her off.
"You're useless too!" she snapped.
Lily stood there, her face burning with embarrassment.
I watched as they left, one after the other.
Summer leaned in and whispered, "Ms. Stone, is the Grant family in chaos?"
I closed the file.
"Not yet," I replied.